'99 brake problems

[BTO]

Hey everybody. I just registered because I inherited a 1999 4runner SR5 by way of girlfriend. :biggrin2:

I have been gradually getting this rig back into road-worthy-ness. First problem was somebody had talk the poor girl into installing some terrible load range E tires and aired the damn things to 50 lbs. So new road tires. Then fixed the CEL with an air/fuel sensor. Installed a factory CD changer for ebay. Went to do the brakes and discovered a bad axle seal. Fixed that and went to replace the contaminated brake shoes.

I bought new shoes and had the drums turned at Schwabby. Cleaned it all out and installed everything. Went well and the parking brake grabs real good an low but it does not want to hold the truck very well. It's like the shoes and drums don't have enough friction or grip. Anybody have any clues? My '07 Tacoma, when you hit the parking brake it just about throws you through the windshield. I cannot lock up the back tires on the 4runner.

The front brakes pulsate. Thinking the rotors are warped. Was going to get new pads and have the rotors turned. Is that ok or do I need to get new rotors? What's the general experience?

After I get all done I'm going to flush the brake fluid. Is Dot 3 OK? Is it ok to do the brake pedal method?

 

[maine runner]

The '99's have a bit of a history with brakes being fussy (warped rotors, wearing out a bit on the early side) due to being slightly smaller than they should be.

In experiencing brake problems with my truck, and searching and reading alot here, I recommend new rotors and pads for the front. I went with aftermarket (national brands) twice, OEM once and now Brembo's. The OEM's lasted the longest but that was when I was driving every day. If the truck sits (less than 10k/yr) the rotors warp.

Where ever you go, make sure the mech doing the work is fussy and gets them right. A good alignment is also important.

My parking brake will not lock the rears either.

Hope it helps.

 

[BTO]

Where ever you go, make sure the mech doing the work is fussy and gets them right. A good alignment is also important.

My parking brake will not lock the rears either.

Hope it helps.

Thanks Maine Runner. Yes the mechanic is fussy. He's ME !!!

 

[TheDurk]

Did you pull the bellcranks out and clean and lube them? Just a spritz of PB Blaster or a glob of anti-seize won't do it here, I tried. You really have to pull them out and do it right. Some bellcranks/brackets can't be saved. After wire-wheeling and Dremeling bellcranks and brackets plus new pins, my e-brake locks up perfectly on the eighth click. (FSM says 7-9). When I started, I only had one wheel working and it was iffy.

 

[BTO]

Thanks Durk,

I had been wondering about those bell cranks. BTW, do these brake shoes self adjust when using the park brake or do you also have to be rolling backwards? I've read differing opinions on that.

 

[TheDurk]

Thanks Durk,

I had been wondering about those bell cranks. BTW, do these brake shoes self adjust when using the park brake or do you also have to be rolling backwards? I've read differing opinions on that.

I have never seen anything from Toyota that says you have to go backwards, either in the Owner's Manual or the FSM. When I serviced my drums, the FSM tells you to verify the self-adjuster works just by pushing the e-brake lever on the shoe and seeing if the adjusting bolt turns. No reversing mentioned. I so verified and it so turns. I am therefore one who believes the reverse thing is legend, but it is just one more opinion. Maybe reversing can help jar the mechanism into working if it is sticking. I really don't know. It is certainly a popular theory. I had an '85 E-23 BMW that worked that way but it said so in the manual.

In any case, I then went ahead and adjusted the old fashioned way after I had it all together. I turned the adjuster until the drum was tight, and then backed off until the drum had just the slightest drag from the shoe. I was determined to get the darn e-brake working as it should. I just hope it lasts.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

99s have fussy brakes?

First I do not see mention of the inherited 99 4 Runner having the 15" wheels originally or the 16s?

If it is now running 16s and was originally equipped with just the 15 inch wheels and tires and brakes then yes your brakes are undersized. It should be checked by a professional to be sure-I imagine a competent dealership would be able to tell by VIN number.

Don't just go by the door jamb sticker.

Never heard of rotors warping from just sitting. I guess it could happen. There are some 3rd gen owners (96-02 Model years) who like to upgrade their brakes to the Tundra calipers. Not sure if that means Tundra rotors as well....

I run Brembo solid rotors and stock Yota pads and coming out of a 2nd gen Runner- this thing stops on a dime.

Yes your parking brake should be able to hold the vehicle tight, in place and on an incline...that is the whole point of a parking brake.

Another basic often overlooked is the brake fluid. Bleed it and view the color of the expelled fluid.

Not related to parking brake no.. ..

 

[BTO]

This 4runner is an SR5 V6 auto with factory 16" alloy wheels. It's my understanding the front brakes on the 16" are larger than the 15". I think the rear brakes are the same on both.

I'm definitely going to flush the brake fluid. I'm asking around for a power bleeder. If nobody has one, I'll buy one real soon. The brake pedal is somewhat mushy.

 

[JeremyH]

When you pull the parking brake lever, does it need to be pulled all the way up or does it engage before then? If it feels like you arent reaching the maximum of the lever, then you might need to adjust the cable right under the cab (like this: Tacoma E-Brake Adjustment ). Otherwise, you might need to adjust the star wheel (like this: Drum Brakes - Rear Brake Drum Adjustment ).

 

[BTO]

Another basic often overlooked is the brake fluid. Bleed it and view the color of the expelled fluid...

Was getting ready to purchase a brake bleeder then I read that vehicles with abs require a special bleeding method that requires a high dollar abs scan tool. Since this vehicle has abs, should I be concerned or can I just buy the power bleeder and do it?