03 Brakes - Genuine Toyota vs. Remanufactured?

[blk-betty]

Think I need to do another brake job and just wondered what you guys are doing when you need new calipers and/or rotors.

Do you go with Toyota OEM stuff (rotors and calipers) and pay the premium price or remanufactured parts like through NAPA or Advance Auto Parts?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I've always had good luck with Napa reman calipers, new Napa "premium" rotors and OE pads. There's other good pad choices too but that's what I like. The Napa Premium rotors stay very 'true' for a long time and they're reasonably priced.

 

[blk-betty]

I've always had good luck with Napa reman calipers, new Napa "premium" rotors and OE pads. There's other good pad choices too but that's what I like. The Napa Premium rotors stay very 'true' for a long time and they're reasonably priced.

Thanks for the input.

I'm changing front and rear shocks next weekend and changed the front pads at about 80K miles.

It was a little bit of a diaster in that the right front caliper was sticking badly but with some effort and prying I was able to get it "unstuck" and retract the pistons. Put the new pads on and drove about 20 miles. At only one point coming down a steep incline of a bridge I got a lot of steerring wheel shake and when I stopped, a mile later there was a lot of heat coming off the right front wheel.

I assume the right caliper was no good and replaced it but had to go with an OEM Toyota because the local Advance Auto kept giving me the wrong part - 3 times. I didn't replace the rotor at the same time and it stops Ok but nowhere near as well as it did before I changed the pads. I bled the system a few times and have had the Toyota dealer do the same 2 times and it's never gotten back to where it was before I screwed with it.

I assume the right rotor may be warped and was planning on replacing it. I don't know what I'll find with the left caliper. The right one was pitted real bad and the parts guy at the dealership said it was common for them to pit and require replacing.

I really don't want to replace any more than necessary, just want that firm pedal feel without the need to feel like I have to almost stand on the pedal for fast hard stops.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Thanks for the input.

I'm changing front and rear shocks next weekend and changed the front pads at about 80K miles.

It was a little bit of a diaster in that the right front caliper was sticking badly but with some effort and prying I was able to get it "unstuck" and retract the pistons. Put the new pads on and drove about 20 miles. At only one point coming down a steep incline of a bridge I got a lot of steerring wheel shake and when I stopped, a mile later there was a lot of heat coming off the right front wheel.

I assume the right caliper was no good and replaced it but had to go with an OEM Toyota because the local Advance Auto kept giving me the wrong part - 3 times. I didn't replace the rotor at the same time and it stops Ok but nowhere near as well as it did before I changed the pads. I bled the system a few times and have had the Toyota dealer do the same 2 times and it's never gotten back to where it was before I screwed with it.

I assume the right rotor may be warped and was planning on replacing it. I don't know what I'll find with the left caliper. The right one was pitted real bad and the parts guy at the dealership said it was common for them to pit and require replacing.

I really don't want to replace any more than necessary, just want that firm pedal feel without the need to feel like I have to almost stand on the pedal for fast hard stops.

I'd say you're on the right track. On the left push the pistons all the way in, clean and lube the pins and bleed it. On the right I'm sure you need the rotor.

Are the rears in good shape? If so a good cleaning, full piston retraction and some fresh brake grease on the pins can't hurt.

I like to push the piston(s) in while cracking the bleeder to push all the fluid fluid out of the caliper. Just be careful to resnug the bleeder BEFORE the flow stops completely. That prevents air from getting back in.
:cheers:

 

[blk-betty]

Thanks for moving to the appropriate section, did not realize there was a maintenance section.

I haven't done anything with the rears yet. Suprising the pads still have a good bity of life left. I guess removing them and cleaning the caliper/pistons would be a good idea regardless.

 

[DC Dude]

Think I need to do another brake job and just wondered what you guys are doing when you need new calipers and/or rotors.

Do you go with Toyota OEM stuff (rotors and calipers) and pay the premium price or remanufactured parts like through NAPA or Advance Auto Parts?

The remanufactured ones installed by the dealership are by Toyota. When you replace your brakes, the dealership will claim your brakes or if you want them, you'll have to pay $150+ for them.

 

[Jed]

The remanufactured ones installed by the dealership are by Toyota. When you replace your brakes, the dealership will claim your brakes or if you want them, you'll have to pay $150+ for them.

All remanufactured calipers are Toyota units. Nobody else makes them, so no matter where you buy them they will be original Toyota castings.

 

[blk-betty]

All remanufactured calipers are Toyota units. Nobody else makes them, so no matter where you buy them they will be original Toyota castings.

Good to know.

 

[Rix]

Toyota casting with aftermarket parts.
I CANNOT recommend anything besides Toyota remans, I have seen soooooooo many failures of aftermarket parts.....

 

[DC Dude]

Does anyone know whether the FJ Cruiser has same or different brake components compared to the 4Runner?