Brake Caliper Questions & Advice

[ctyoter]

I have a 2008 4R Sport with the common stuck caliper issue with pulsating braking feel as well as soft brakes. I was hoping to replace the pads and rotors in the fronts and push the pistons back in to break them free but looks like the consensus is to just replace the calipers. Now I'm into reading about doing the 5th gen swap and it sounds like a great idea but my problem is I'm sitting on pads and rotors for my 4th gen brakes that I just received from RA.

I'm willing to pop in another 4th gen caliper but it seems different brands may suffer the same stuck piston fate and living in the NE, I feel like it's a when, not if kinda thing. I find no joy in replacing my calipers yearly (does anyone?) so long-term replacement is my goal here. Does anyone have a recommendation on a 4th gen caliper that may last several years or do they all come from the same stock and get put in different boxes so you get what you get?

My other option would be to eat the shipping and return the parts I have to RockAuto and do the 5th gen swap which might be worth it if that gen is head and shoulders better.

Either way, I have to replace the calipers so what else should I be swapping out while I'm in there? Brake lines? Shields are kinda crusty.

 

[Syr4RinNC]

There’s a mother thread a few posts down talking about similar things. '08 T4R Front Brake Calipers OEM or Aftermarket?

My advice is try to find something with a good warranty on it and see how to proceed compares to the 5th gen swap for you.

 

[NCHornet]

Don't get suckered into the Lifetime Warranty that most chain stores provide. The Lifetime isn't your Lifetime, or the vehicles Lifetime, it's for as long as you own the vehicle. The US average is between 2 to 3 years. The calipers are assembled using the cheapest, low quality, parts they can find. Same goes for starters, alternators etc..... One of the biggest companies that rebuild these is about 30 min away and I know several that work there and the stories they tell are crazy. I learned this 20 years ago on my F150, I changed the alternator 6 times in one year all for the same reason. I got very good and fast at it and finally bought an OEM one that lasted years.

When it comes to brakes and suspension I always replace both sides, even if only one caliper is bad I always change both. This isn't a must but it's what I do. Stuck calipers can be avoided with some yearly maintenance, cleaning and lube. My 1 ton F350 dually uses a floating caliper, like the rear on the 4R, where it slides on pins. These pins need to be cleaned and re-lubed and the boots checked for cracks. On the fronts I remove the pads extend the pistons, clean and lube before compressing the pistons back into the caliper. I have also used a lube syringe that makes a small hole in the rubber boot and allows you to apply grease inside if needed and the hole pretty much seals itself when removed. I still apply some RTV over it. You can do the same for the CV axles. How often depends where you live, how much you drive and what type of driving you do. I do mine once a year and use the right grease and the right amount and I have never had a stuck caliper in 30 plus years.

If calipers are needed OEM are always the best if you can afford them. If not I have found that the higher end calipers that Napa sells to be the best aftermarket ones I have found. Not just for the 4Runner but for all vehicles that I have done brake jobs on, which is a lot!!!!! Proper maintenance is key for long life on calipers. Brakes are to important to me to be pinching pennies on and .25 cents worth of lube and an hour of my time is well worth knowing my brakes are going to work when I need them to the most. I hope this can help someone out. God Bless
NCH

 

[ctyoter]

There’s a mother thread a few posts down talking about similar things. '08 T4R Front Brake Calipers OEM or Aftermarket?

My advice is try to find something with a good warranty on it and see how to proceed compares to the 5th gen swap for you.

I've found a few good long threads on here regarding brakes and am slowly making my way through them. I might give Rock Auto a call and see what it costs to return unused parts so I can do the 5th gen swap from scratch. I read in one of those threads that the 4th gen rotor is too small in thickness unfortunately.

 

[ctyoter]

Don't get suckered into the Lifetime Warranty that most chain stores provide. The Lifetime isn't your Lifetime, or the vehicles Lifetime, it's for as long as you own the vehicle. The US average is between 2 to 3 years. The calipers are assembled using the cheapest, low quality, parts they can find. Same goes for starters, alternators etc..... One of the biggest companies that rebuild these is about 30 min away and I know several that work there and the stories they tell are crazy. I learned this 20 years ago on my F150, I changed the alternator 6 times in one year all for the same reason. I got very good and fast at it and finally bought an OEM one that lasted years.

When it comes to brakes and suspension I always replace both sides, even if only one caliper is bad I always change both. This isn't a must but it's what I do. Stuck calipers can be avoided with some yearly maintenance, cleaning and lube. My 1 ton F350 dually uses a floating caliper, like the rear on the 4R, where it slides on pins. These pins need to be cleaned and re-lubed and the boots checked for cracks. On the fronts I remove the pads extend the pistons, clean and lube before compressing the pistons back into the caliper. I have also used a lube syringe that makes a small hole in the rubber boot and allows you to apply grease inside if needed and the hole pretty much seals itself when removed. I still apply some RTV over it. You can do the same for the CV axles. How often depends where you live, how much you drive and what type of driving you do. I do mine once a year and use the right grease and the right amount and I have never had a stuck caliper in 30 plus years.

If calipers are needed OEM are always the best if you can afford them. If not I have found that the higher end calipers that Napa sells to be the best aftermarket ones I have found. Not just for the 4Runner but for all vehicles that I have done brake jobs on, which is a lot!!!!! Proper maintenance is key for long life on calipers. Brakes are to important to me to be pinching pennies on and .25 cents worth of lube and an hour of my time is well worth knowing my brakes are going to work when I need them to the most. I hope this can help someone out. God Bless
NCH

yes, the constant replacement is not on my list of desirables. the cost savings isn't worth it. whatevefr I end up with I will do the piston lube and give myself the best chance for longevity possible. these winter road treatments up here are brutal.

 

[Igotdarona]

Can anyone confirm that the powerstop s2736 calipers are the correct ones for the 5th gen upgrade on 4th gen? Sorry to derail, new here and won't let me start a new thread. Thx