Brake issues are breaking me...

[atalarico]

Hey all, just wondering if I could get some input on braking issues I'm experiencing?



The previous owner did the 5th gen swap, but I have no idea what components he used. The calipers are pretty rusted so I'm guessing not exactly quality stuff. The past week or so I've been getting a burning brakes smell after driving down from the mountains or just an hour in stop and go traffic. The inside of the rims are pretty dark with brake dust too. There has also been a pretty bad squeal when coming to a stop coming from the front right brakes (I think).



So, I tore it all apart to see what was going on. Pad thickness is fine, but there's weird wear on the pads (pics below) with this tab hanging off the back side of the inner pad.



I tried to see if one of the caliper pistons was frozen but I'm not sure I did it right. I pulled the pads out and pushed the pistons in a bit. The inner pistons had a lot of rust on them and were difficult but I got them to move a little.



I greased up the back of the pads and put it all back together and so far no more squealing but I haven't been on a long enough drive to see if the burning brake smell is back.



I'm wondering if it is a stuck caliper situation and I'm just not diagnosing it right? I have the cash to buy those red powdercoated powerstop calipers, so should I just be done with it and do that instead?

 

[atalarico]

 

[Ed_C]

Do both pads have that tab, like this?

 

[atalarico]

Do both pads have that tab, like this?

Just the inside pad on both front brakes, if that makes sense. The inner pads do not have that little tab. I can’t tell what I’m supposed to be looking at in the pic you posted. Help?

 

[Ed_C]

Nevermind, I zoomed in your pic some more and realized it's one of the slide pins next to the pad on the right and not the metal tab you're talking about. The small metal tabs are there to purposely scrape against the rotor and make noise when the pad gets to replacement thickness. The photo I posted shows pads for a LX470/100 series Landcruiser, I thought maybe whoever did the last brake job used the wrong hardware for the brake pad shims.

Your calipers are seizing up unfortunately. You could try lubing the inside pistons,might be able to save them without having to take them apart. There's a couple of suggestions in these two threads: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-...ary-fix-sticking-brakes.html?highlight=piston and https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-...-fixing-seized-calipers.html?highlight=piston

 

[atalarico]

Nevermind, I zoomed in your pic some more and realized it's one of the slide pins next to the pad on the right and not the metal tab you're talking about. The small metal tabs are there to purposely scrape against the rotor and make noise when the pad gets to replacement thickness. The photo I posted shows pads for a LX470/100 series Landcruiser, I thought maybe whoever did the last brake job used the wrong hardware for the brake pad shims.



Your calipers are seizing up unfortunately. You could try lubing the inside pistons,might be able to save them without having to take them apart. There's a couple of suggestions in these two threads: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-...ary-fix-sticking-brakes.html?highlight=piston and https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-...-fixing-seized-calipers.html?highlight=piston

Appreciate the insight. The tab I’m referring to isn’t the wear bar, but it’s like this weird lip on the end of the brake pad forming because the brake pad sits off the rotor by a mm.

Also, I won’t bother rebuilding the calipers. I think these ones are garbage since they’re not coated or painted and I live in a place with corrosive de ice used on roads. I think I’ll just buy the power stop rotors from rock auto and be done with it.

Thanks!

 

[overlandout]

Just grab some power stop painted calipers for 5th gen. Keep the rotors and pads if they still look good. That weird spot on the pad might just be from road debris. Shouldn't be a big issue. Is the a spot on the rotor from it?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[having fun]

Appreciate the insight. The tab I’m referring to isn’t the wear bar, but it’s like this weird lip on the end of the brake pad forming because the brake pad sits off the rotor by a mm.

Also, I won’t bother rebuilding the calipers. I think these ones are garbage since they’re not coated or painted and I live in a place with corrosive de ice used on roads. I think I’ll just buy the power stop rotors from rock auto and be done with it.

Thanks!

I've gone through a few sets of pads on my rig, normal wear replacement.. I did a brake upgrade this time. One of my front pads was doing the same thing yours is. Buddy of mine cert mechanic said it a rare normal. I have seen the same on a rare on big rigs also.

Your in a prone area for having to go threw calipers on a regular basis, just get new ones coated in some way, and just have to make a yearly thing on checking the piston area.

 

[atalarico]

I've gone through a few sets of pads on my rig, normal wear replacement.. I did a brake upgrade this time. One of my front pads was doing the same thing yours is. Buddy of mine cert mechanic said it a rare normal. I have seen the same on a rare on big rigs also.



Your in a prone area for having to go threw calipers on a regular basis, just get new ones coated in some way, and just have to make a yearly thing on checking the piston area.

Good to know! I’ll chalk this one up to the previous owner cheaping out and just get those coated/painted 5th gen powerstop ones and be done with it. Good call on a yearly check too. As I learned this past week, it’s not hard to check on the pistons and dab a little brake pad grease up on there and what not.

It’s actually something because about a year before I totaled my 3rd gen I did the tundra brake upgrade but didn’t get coated calipers. Those ones also looked like hell after one winter here. Live and learn. Cheers!

 

[Terminator03]

I ran the whole Powerstop setup (slotted rotors, pads, and red calipers) through this past winter and they still look perfect. I definitely plan to add more grease around the piston areas, and the slide pins whenever I get around to pulling the wheels this spring for rotation. Very pleased to see how the coatings held up, especially the rotors, which usually rust up right away around here. I like them so much, I’m planning to buy a set for my Miata as well, even though they are twice the price of others on the market for that application.

 

[earthrealm]

yup, your calipers are sticking, though you actually dont need a long drive to know if they are sticking or not, a short 10 to 15mile drive is enough to tell .
simply touch the rims of the car with your hand after a short drive and observe for any above normal temperatures, or better still use a temperature gun to check

 

[atalarico]

Thanks for the info! Powerstop calipers are being delivered today or tomorrow and I'll throw them on tomorrow one it's warm again. It took me at least 5 years of owning my last 4Runner to know to just get the good components the first time but apparently previous owner wasn't aware of this.

Should I grind that little lip that formed on the pads? Also, should I get the rotors "turned"?

 

[Terminator03]

Thanks for the info! Powerstop calipers are being delivered today or tomorrow and I'll throw them on tomorrow one it's warm again. It took me at least 5 years of owning my last 4Runner to know to just get the good components the first time but apparently previous owner wasn't aware of this.

Should I grind that little lip that formed on the pads? Also, should I get the rotors "turned"?

I would definitely get them resurfaced, if they have enough wear to make that lip.