Brake Job - Anything to watch out for?
- Thread starter gjd
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
WODWorldWide
New member
Ah the old BJ discussion, giggity. I can't really help you out too much but here's a pretty detailed discussion on the rotors at least.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/71666-mikeys-build-thread-28.html#post1544204
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/71666-mikeys-build-thread-28.html#post1544204
WODWorldWide
New member
Not to highjack this thread but what is the avg life most people are getting for their breaks. Maybe OP can chime in but I just got back from the dealership today and have 8mm life on my fronts and 7mm on my rears and I've only driven 11,000 miles. According to their chart, I am close to the yellow area of 6-4mm. I drove my 08 4Runner around for 98,000 miles and never 'needed' breaks (I think it was getting to the point where I definitely needed them but I traded it).
Mike G.
New member
The front pads are an easy swap, all you really need once you get the truck safely lifted on jack stands is a pair of needle nose plier. The front pads are retained by two springs, you just slide the springs out and pull the pads. I changed the front at 45,000 miles and they still had about 10,000 miles left. I tow a small a-frame camper (2500lbs) and have seen plenty of mountain roads.
I just did the rear pads and they were easy also, you just remove the two retaining slider bolts and pull the pads. Just make sure to apply a small amount of high-temp. brake grease to the slider pins so they don`t freeze up. You will also need a c-clamp for both front and rear to compress the piston back in, but do this slowly and I always remove the master cylinder cap so I don`t blow out the cap seal or O-rings on the master cylinder. Make sure you re-attach the master cylinder cap and be careful when you first move the vehicle, the truck may not stop due to the caliper pistons getting back in place.
The rears had 67,000 miles on them and they were done, they still had some material left but not much. I used OEM Toyota pads as replacements and they were around $50.00 a set from the dealer. Brake pad wear really depends on how you drive your truck, but this may give you a rough estimate.
I hope this helps.
I just did the rear pads and they were easy also, you just remove the two retaining slider bolts and pull the pads. Just make sure to apply a small amount of high-temp. brake grease to the slider pins so they don`t freeze up. You will also need a c-clamp for both front and rear to compress the piston back in, but do this slowly and I always remove the master cylinder cap so I don`t blow out the cap seal or O-rings on the master cylinder. Make sure you re-attach the master cylinder cap and be careful when you first move the vehicle, the truck may not stop due to the caliper pistons getting back in place.
The rears had 67,000 miles on them and they were done, they still had some material left but not much. I used OEM Toyota pads as replacements and they were around $50.00 a set from the dealer. Brake pad wear really depends on how you drive your truck, but this may give you a rough estimate.
I hope this helps.
harper7
Senior Member
Did you bed them in properly when new so brake pad was distributed on the rotors and wouldn't wear them down ?
I've got over 75000 miles on mine now and still have about 5mm left and they supposedly had 11mm when new .Rotated tires last weekend and just checked .Got over 100k miles on my 4th gen brakes and still had some pad left and the rotors were still reusable without cutting.
Manual states you can take them down to 1mm BTW.
From the manual......
CHECK PAD LINING THICKNESS
(a) Using a ruler, measure the pad lining thickness.
Standard thickness:
11.3 mm (0.445 in.)
Minimum thickness:
1.0 mm (0.0394 in.)
If the pad lining thickness is less than the minimum, replace the pad.
CHECK DISC THICKNESS
(a) Using a micrometer, measure the disc thickness.
Standard thickness:
32.0 mm (1.26 in.)
Minimum thickness:
29.0 mm (1.14 in.)
If the disc thickness is less than the minimum, replace the disc
Those are for the fronts but the rears are similar and also in the manual.
BlackWorksInc
New member
That's probably cheaper than what we charge...
Its a pretty standard 2.0hrs per axle for non-floating hub vehicles (i.e. Land Cruisers that have floating axles and require dis-assembly of the axle hubs are closer to 4.0/5.0hrs per axle if I remember right, its been a while since we did one) this includes pad replacement, cleaning of all hardware, resurfacing the rotors, and all the other junk that goes with brake pad replacement.
Pads seem to be able $60-80 ish for the "Good" Genuine Toyota stuff, and the "Affordable" (read that "Cheap, missing 1/3 of the material, and seem to have noise issues" pads marketed to compete with cheapo AutoZone pads) are cheaper than that. I believe our dealership charges something like $160/hr labor rate?
FrontRange4Runner
New member
Please don't take your pads down to 1mm...
Ryan1975
New member
1) They are called BRAKES...not breaks.
2) I too had 65k+ on my 08 4Runner with no issues (traded it off)
3) I've got 43k on my '12 4Runner with no issues as well.
v/r
-Ryan
Thanks for all the replies. I'll pick up a set of front pads from the dealer and try to do the repair this weekend. My mileage is at 41K.
Has anyone had frozen caliper issues on the 5th Gen? I saw a number of threads regarding this on 4th Gens... That would definitely complicate the repair.
Has anyone had frozen caliper issues on the 5th Gen? I saw a number of threads regarding this on 4th Gens... That would definitely complicate the repair.
nevada
Senior Member
if you decide to do this, make sure and take the rotors in and have them resurfaced.
putting a new flat brake surface on a worn rotor is just asking for trouble.
I was thinking the same. that seems pretty low miles for the brakes to be worn.
Americas High Five
New member
Just because the dealer tried to sell you new brakes isnt exactly a indication you need new brakes. I am just shy of 62K miles and have 6/32 on the front pads and 7/32 on the rear. I'd check for yourself if you havent already..
Last edited:
WODWorldWide
New member
Whoa didn't know the spelling police patrolled these parts. Thanks for the info though.
Ryan1975
New member
Its all good.
