2015 TEP brakes really suck

[catrains]

I would have to agree with the above after doing three back-to-back, A:B test rides between three different 2016 4Runners and the GX460: the 4Runner's brakes suck (I'll say it). Do they stop? Hell yes, they do, more than they need to given how much pedal is pressed, and not enough given how much pedal is pressed.

Yes, I'll adapt when my TEP is delivered in three weeks or so. But, my '03 Sequoia has better brake modulation, my '90 4Runner had better brake feel, and my '86 XtraCab had better brake feel.

Toyota screwed something up in the mix, and it must be in software because the 2016 Lexus GX460 did not exhibit this annoying trait (you can call it a feature if you want, but I call it a bug).

I got my 2016 T4R 4weeks ago . the rear brakes had a lot of air in the passenger side caliper. 400MIles. the brakes caused a sudden dive when I applied them as carefully as I could a sudden grab of the front brakes . I then observed that no brake dust on the rear wheels. looked like rear brakes not working . so with a bleeder hose clear connected I bleed the rears. now 400 miles later the rears and fronts brake much better less grab and a even braking ... no dive anymore just a slight dip.

 

[codyHTX]

I'm no automotive guru, nor a hardcore off-road junkie, but as soon as i start depressing the peddle i feel them working, but not exactly grabbing or biting. i figured that was a desired off-road characteristic and part of the reason they are designed the way they are.

I also assume the reason that i never feel the vehicle truly "coast" when i let off the gas is part of those desired off-road characteristics, it seems to stay engaged and almost immediately start engine braking. i remember it being even more pronounced in my friends stock 2nd gen, kind of a go-cart feel to the skinny peddle.

for day to day on road driving i typically do the brake-release-brake modulation. between that and the downshifting I've never have had a lack of confidence in how it responds. also reduces nose dive tremendously.

lastly, i don't hear the hissing/deflating sound anymore... maybe I'm accustomed to it now, but I'll have to remember to listen for it during lunch hour

 

[b407driver]

Just remember that the ones who have this perceived problem have posted in this or similar threads. Let's say 50 people as a round number. There are well over 300K 5th gen 4Runners now all driving around and stopping just fine. The math says there is no problem other than the brakes are different. To some people, different is a problem. If there were a real problem this forum would be overrun with complaints.

What gets me is there is a post above this one from a guy complaining about his brakes and he doesn't even own a 4Runner yet... and still plans on getting one.

I had to adjust my driving style to fit the 4Runner. The brakes are different. Big deal.

[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION], glad I could provide some comic relief for you this morning. I'm not an idiot, I very carefully considered all options available to me, and agonized choosing between the GX460 and TEP. Despite the GX having the superior-in-every-way V8, it still wasn't enough to get me to buy it.

I test drove. I test drove. Then, I test drove again. You should appreciate that.

There's nothing wrong with being critical about an aspect of a truck I've chosen to buy. The V6 (and its piss-poor mileage) sucks, too, but I'm going in eyes wide open on both counts.

Yes, the brakes are different, and as I said, I can adapt (after 15 years flying helicopters, one would hope). But they are distinctly different than the brakes on any car that I've owned over 50+ years I've been on the planet. The 4Runner is the right vehicle for me, but I've got no illusions that it's perfect.

 

[Rynooo]

I think what you're used to is a huge factor. I went from a modded duramax dually to my 5th Gen and the brakes are awesome. Well, everything is better, except the lackadaisical acceleration, but I just take it easy and mosey on down the road. I am disappointed, too, that the performance isn't on par with my old Evo 8 or CBR1000, but I pretty much expected as much. :hatsoff:

 

[Colorado S14]

Haha some thread. I do have to laugh when these threads come up because so many respond with "Test Drive!" or "You should have bought something else!". That is not helpful to the dialog, imagine if instead we gave opinions on different brake pad options that some have tried and see if there was an aftermarket solution for the problem

If someone came on here and said that their truck was having problems making it up a trail I am sure people would respond with helpful suggestions of better tires/suspension upgrades that could assist. But if the conversation turns to the on-road dynamics of the truck then hell hath froze over and people go full reptile. Never in these scenarios do people say that someone bought a vehicle with too little capability.

With that being said, I think that a change in brake pad is what you are looking for. Modern cars run the gamut when it comes to brake feel, many I have driven have very sensitive inital bite and others are more progressive, typically this comes down to pad compound. The OEM pads are Akebono Ceramic pads, you could try another ceramic pad (Centric is part of the same company as Stop Tech and is usually good in my experience). Or, perhaps try a semi metallic pad and see if you like that feel better. Any sponginess is either inherent to the system or air in the lines, try bleeding the brakes and see if that helps.