Anything I can do to improve the stock brakes?

[BigCountryT4R]

I have 900 or so miles on my 4Runner Limited. And this past weekend I almost rolled into someone in a drivethru when I was getting my wallet out because you have to mash the brake pedal to keep the 4runner from moving. It seems to creep easy. I also notice when slowing down, I have trouble modulating the brakes and have to hit them harder because I am not slowing down fast enough? Hard to explain, but my Camry doesn't do this and neither does our Rogue we have.

So with that, what can I do to help this? Maybe new/better pads?

 

[BadTrainDriver]

Either:

Learn to drive to vehicle with the quirks it has,

Or trade it for a second Camry.

 

[mteolus]

Brakes are the biggest negative on the 4Runner. I put it in Park at longer red lights or in drive thru's.

 

[GripT4R]

DOT 4 fluid (Castrol SRF).
Stainless braided brake lines front and rear.
Better brake pads will create more dust, but bite more.

Those three items will greatly improve brake feel and response.

Might as well throw on slotted rotors too for the hell of it.

 

[big51810321]

Yeah......
Not to be an assh**e, but it's not that huge of a difference, I'm in the same boat with a brand new TRD Off Road and it took a few days to get used to and now it's just "the way it drives"....
Worst case, I have the old habit of just push it quickly in Neutral at a drive thru....

 

[jrandom]

Have them bled before you spend any money on upgrading parts.

Mine stop pretty scary fast for a 5000+lb truck on 33in tires.

 

[83Mule]

41 years on Toyotas........and these brakes SUCK! They have no bite then grab.....modulation is poor, yet if you really need them they are monster strong so it's not the hardware at the wheel that is crap but the valving. I put braided lines and Akebono pads and they are more progressive now, but not even close to my huge Express work van in feel and comfort. Much like the crummy throttle program, the brakes could be tweeked by Toyota if they cared to.

 

[Teamoatmealpie]

Jeez- most unhelpful list of responses ever.

Start with new pads that have better bite/modulation. I found Akebone Premium pads make a difference that can be felt immediately.

Nose dive is a common complaint right at the stopping point due to soft from suspension combined with the poor modulation of the brakes.

 

[KYMike]

I believe the 4Runner comes stock with Akebono pads on the rear, but not the front.

I swapped out the fronts to Akebono Performance pads (PN #ASP976) within the first thousand miles, and felt like it was an improvement.

 

[Jernik]

Had mine 5 years now, and still forget about the creep at stoplights once in a while. Pretty much used to how to modulate pressure for the brake reaponse I want on the day to day drive, but occasionally have an "oh shit" :yell: moment when someone pulls out in front of me and I stab the pedal out of instict... which results in an "OH SHIT!" moment. :laugh:

 

[SnowYeti]

I have 900 or so miles on my 4Runner Limited. And this past weekend I almost rolled into someone in a drivethru when I was getting my wallet out because you have to mash the brake pedal to keep the 4runner from moving. It seems to creep easy. I also notice when slowing down, I have trouble modulating the brakes and have to hit them harder because I am not slowing down fast enough? Hard to explain, but my Camry doesn't do this and neither does our Rogue we have.

So with that, what can I do to help this? Maybe new/better pads?

I agree 100% with you. I have had several roll issues that almost ended badly. Very strange.

I have researched this and agree, pads are the place to address. At first at least

And no I am not buying a Camry either BadTrainDriver. I don’t believe in put up and shut up, or get the F... out. I have no issues fixing a few shortcomings in the 4R to make it better....and safer. All relationships have their quirks

 

[mrblah]

Never had a problem with brakes in the 4runner

 

[Bugser]

My 3rd gen was fine. However both 5th gens have been identical. Creep is common. I park it while in a line. There is a point when the brakes are applied hard it will lay you on your ear. Almost dangerous. I am used to it I guess.

I do like the suggestion to change pads and lines.


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[Ruedger556]

My 96 goes to the floor before stopping. I'm gonna bleed them then swap pads and rotors.

 

[a47chuck]

In a panic situation, they work better than fine. Creep ... give me a break. Try a Gen 6 Mustang with the Performance Package. You’ll jerk your way up to a slow stop. I’d rather be able to stop when it really counts.

 

[4Reak Show]

My 2016 Trail does the creep as well. Tally another experience to lead this into a common issue.

The reason this may feel different is likely that the "booster" on these is a motor/pump vs an actual vacuum booster. So a lot of electronics are involved to assist in braking.

That all being said, you may have to take the dive and throw a bunch of money to see what happens... And by all means, please inform us all so we know.

 

[BigCountryT4R]

Thanks for some good advice and discussions. Looks like finding some good pads is a good start.

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[wcjeep]

We have two 5th gens. They each felt like an Air bubble was in the system. Time and a panic stop caused the brakes to work way better.

 

[1000MPH]

It honestly took me 4-5 years to get fully used to them. Rent another car for a week and you’ll be right back where you started. I use neutral a lot. On the plus side they’ve lasted me 9 years so far and saved me from disaster a couple times.

 

[TRD84Runner]

As a recent 4Runner owner I will say the brakes actually caught me off guard with how well they gripped, the one item that I did not expect though was the nose dive. After reading some other peoples impressions it seems this is common and many upgrade to the Bilstien 5100 shocks to eliminate that nose dive. If you were to do any upgrade to the 4Runner itself I would say look into better pads and braided brake lines and new/better fluid. I will note though after about 3 days I have noticed my braking vastly improve as I am more aware of the size and distances needed to make a typical stop that my smaller 04 frontier would be able to do.