2003 Limited Brake Pad / Rotor Recommendations?

[Cape 4RUNNER]

Right now I am at 96K and need to replace all my brake pads. I was quoted by a dealer for 65$ for the pads and about 180$ for install so around ~$250 all together.

I live in New England so salt is a big problem on the road, will I be better served having the dealer put new rotors on while they are working on the brakes anyways? My rotors look clean where the pads grab onto them but on other parts show the good ole New England rust.

If I should go with new rotors what size would they need to be and what brand would you guys recommend? My 4runner is an 03' limited with the stock 17" rims and the v8 4WD. Do I have the sport sized brakes or the SR5's brakes?

I figured as well that I could get pads for cheaper than 65$ online, what part # would OEM toyota pads be and where would I buy them?

Thanks for all the future help you guys are the BEST!!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Hmmm... 96k miles on OE pads and $65...


IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT:bash:

Seriously... I'd use OE pads for sure. If you have the Limited you should have the larger 13.1" brake rotors. Again, 96k on OE rotors... If you need rotors then OE is a good choice. I have always had good luck with the NAPA Premium rotors too. There are some other good choices. Avoid the cheapies, they will warp! Autozone, Ebay and some other discount rotors seem like a good deal but they aren't.


If I were you I'd search the forum for frozen calipers and be prepared for that That's the bad news... The good news is the rotors may be ok.

 

[Cape 4RUNNER]

I am the second owner, the pads have been replaced previously lol. I was just told by the dealer to have the pads replaced but I am wondering if, since they will be working on the brakes anyways, if it would be a good idea to change the rotors as well. Another dealer that I called to get a different estimate said if pads were being replaced the rotors should be replaced or resurfaced.

I had the pads checked this past summer and they were at 4mm I believe and the service tech didnt mention anything about rotor condition so I am guessing they are OK but I was thinking that it might be worth having them replaced to avoid future issues. Is this a good idea?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I am the second owner, the pads have been replaced previously lol. Ahhhh, I get it now. I was just told by the dealer to have the pads replaced but I am wondering if, since they will be working on the brakes anyways, if it would be a good idea to change the rotors as well. Another dealer that I called to get a different estimate said if pads were being replaced the rotors should be replaced or resurfaced. Maybe. It's a 'hot' topic. Some will say don't turn or replace rotors unless there's an issue. Lightly scuff and leave them alone. (I subscribe to this school of thought.) Others will say always turn and many shops won't do brake pads without turning or replacing the rotors.

I had the pads checked this past summer and they were at 4mm I believe and the service tech didnt mention anything about rotor condition so I am guessing they are OK but I was thinking that it might be worth having them replaced to avoid future issues. Is this a good idea? Not a bad idea at 96k. Like I said though, no cheapie rotors AND you may not have a choice. If at the 1st pad replacement the rotors were cut then when they install new pads (this time) they may tell you the rotors are too thin and require replacement. They have minimum thickness requirements for the rotors. Cutting them one more time may mean they are too thin to meet the spec.

Good luck!
:cheers:

 

[eskimochaos]

Hmmm... 96k miles on OE pads and $65...


IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT:bash:

Seriously... I'd use OE pads for sure. If you have the Limited you should have the larger 13.1" brake rotors. Again, 96k on OE rotors... If you need rotors then OE is a good choice. I have always had good luck with the NAPA Premium rotors too. There are some other good choices. Avoid the cheapies, they will warp! Autozone, Ebay and some other discount rotors seem like a good deal but they aren't.


If I were you I'd search the forum for frozen calipers and be prepared for that That's the bad news... The good news is the rotors may be ok.

Dont mean to hijack but I had my brakes done at American Tire and not at a Toyo dealer. This is a real noob question but since I have the sport, I have the larger rotors - there is no way that this shop could have gotten away installing the "normal" size rotors is there?

Back to OP, OEM pads seem to produce little if any dust...something to keep in mind.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Dont mean to hijack but I had my brakes done at American Tire and not at a Toyo dealer. This is a real noob question but since I have the sport, I have the larger rotors - there is no way that this shop could have gotten away installing the "normal" size rotors is there? Not unless they changed the calipers too... You would have seen that on the invoice for sure.

Back to OP, OE pads seem to produce little if any dust...something to keep in mind. :iagree: 100% I would also say they are a good balance of sticky, clean and fade resistant for most drivers. There's no doubt some high performance pads may offer some improvement in fade or stickiness but it's unlikely the improvement is free. You'll have dirty wheels, have to warm the brakes, tolerate squeaks or something...

Later...

 

[Cape 4RUNNER]

In regards to the frozen caliper problem...

When the dealer checked the brake pads this past August, if I had a frozen caliper would it have been noticed?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

In regards to the frozen caliper problem...

When the dealer checked the brake pads this past August, if I had a frozen caliper would it have been noticed?

Maybe, maybe not... Wish i had better news. The only way they are going to figure it out is when they go to push the pistons back to allow for the new pads.

 

[Cape 4RUNNER]

:bash: I would be incredibly frustrated if I had to replace the calipers too. Quality issues like this with the 4th gen are ridiculous, I ran my 95' and 99' Tacomas into the ground without issues.

I guess for now I will shoot for replacing just the pads, if the dealer recommends rotors I will just buy the premium set at Napa which comes to ~$200 for a set of front and back. Oh well. Ill call the dealer tomorrow and see how it goes.

 

[riverwolf]

...If you have the Limited you should have the larger 13.1" brake rotors. ...

The stock 17" wheels on the Limited cause this to get confused a lot...even some of the parts store databases get it wrong. The Limited uses the same 315mm/12.6" rotors as the SR5; only the Sport came standard with the 335mm/13.3" rotors.

Cape, if you've got the time and the dealer really doesn't mind you bringing your own parts (most don't allow it), you can get the Centric Premiums from Rockauto.com for $60ish each. I replaced my fronts back in June and no issues so far...appeared to match the OEM rotors down to the weight, except the Centrics have painted hats.

-Brent

 

[davem]

replaced my rotors and pads with EBC green stuff. all i can say is awsome stopping and NO squealing.

 

[Cape 4RUNNER]

The stock 17" wheels on the Limited cause this to get confused a lot...even some of the parts store databases get it wrong. The Limited uses the same 315mm/12.6" rotors as the SR5; only the Sport came standard with the 335mm/13.3" rotors.

Cape, if you've got the time and the dealer really doesn't mind you bringing your own parts (most don't allow it), you can get the Centric Premiums from Rockauto.com for $60ish each. I replaced my fronts back in June and no issues so far...appeared to match the OEM rotors down to the weight, except the Centrics have painted hats.

-Brent

Wow thanks so much for the last minute save, I can go back and return the larger rotors for the right size before my dealer appointment I guess the rear rotors and pads were replaced right before I bought the car at around 75K so those are in great shape. The front I could get away with a resurface, but for 60$ more I can replace rotors with Napa premium, so I am going that route. Hoping for no jammed pistons!!

 

[jdq4runner]

i would go with hawk pads they seem to grab quicker then oem. i had my rear caliper frozen locked which only the dealer sellers pep boys or autozone dont sell it $370 for it. i noticed w my t4r limited the rear pads wear out faster compared to the front. i agree w cheap rotors get oem. i got crossed drilled rotors from 88rotors cause they are life time from cracks or wrap. i also got cermic pads life time from azone. which work great but now my master cylinder is going bad. good luck