Brake Upgrades?

[rainmn]

Pardon me for being an idiot...what's this "bedding in" procedure. Getting my brakes done next week, and doingthe same thing - upgrading to the TRD brake pads.

It's basically the process of getting an even initial transfer of pad material to the rotors. The TRD pads come with a written set of instructions in the box. An uneven buildup of pad material on a rotor can cause pulsing, and it was most people refer to as a warped rotor.

The process is to repeatedly accelerate up to about 60 mph and brake hard - but not hard enough to activate the ABS. You want to slow to about 5-10 mph, but do not come to a complete stop. I think they tell you to do this 10 times, and then let the brakes cool down and do it all over again.

If you google it, you'll see all sorts of differing recommendations on the process, but all accomplish pretty much the same thing. The alternative method is to just go easy on the brakes for the first 300-400 miles, and avoid panic stops.

 

[rayofsi]

got brake checked this morning. I need new brakes for sure.
Brand new 2017 trd pro, find the brakes lacking?

my 2015 ram 1500 rebel definitely has better brakes in real use.

 

[Ariakas]

Yes. OEM pads and rotors cannot be beat. I personally have run them 70K twice and still had pad left with no issues.

[MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] went close to 100K on OEM pads and rotors.

We did a poll awhile back and the AVERAGE was 70K on stock brake components with a bunch of people participating. We also determined that OEM wipers, pads, rotors and Toyota oil and filter could not be beat as far as performance, longevity and price.

If someone is getting wear at 4K then they are riding the brake or two footing it.

When it comes to Oil Filters I definitely agree, the aftermarket one I pulled out of my rig when I bought it was not to the same precise specs and had smushed when it was installed. The Toyota one fit perfect.

But on the brakes, I have to disagree here. I know using higher performance rotors and pads can lead to increased wear and shorter life, but I have found the trade off to be worth it. I have upgraded all my vehicles when the stock ones are ready to be replaced and have found the difference in lifespan to be negligible. The difference between stock and a performance setup is night and day to me, especially under heavy braking and high heat scenarios. I also find the control in slow moving situations to me more smooth and precise which can help in (mall) crawling situations.

I bought my Runner used with 45k miles on it. The dealer had replaced the pads since they were getting thin, and while it does appear they turned the rotors to prep, and the brakes were working perfectly, they were squealing considerably. I understand the OE brakes sometimes do this when replaced (A quick search for '5th gen brakes squeaking' here will show several threads). I will grant it may be related to break-in methods.

I went with the DBA 4000 T3 4x4 series, and some TRD red pads (I have since been told that these are re-branded Stoptech Street pads.).

I can't say enough good things about how braking feels now, compared to the stock ones. I also feel the DBA rotors are the best quality aftermarket performance rotors I have ever upgraded to.

 

[1engineer]

When it comes to Oil Filters I definitely agree, the aftermarket one I pulled out of my rig when I bought it was not to the same precise specs and had smushed when it was installed. The Toyota one fit perfect.

But on the brakes, I have to disagree here. I know using higher performance rotors and pads can lead to increased wear and shorter life, but I have found the trade off to be worth it. I have upgraded all my vehicles when the stock ones are ready to be replaced and have found the difference in lifespan to be negligible. The difference between stock and a performance setup is night and day to me, especially under heavy braking and high heat scenarios. I also find the control in slow moving situations to me more smooth and precise which can help in (mall) crawling situations.

I bought my Runner used with 45k miles on it. The dealer had replaced the pads since they were getting thin, and while it does appear they turned the rotors to prep, and the brakes were working perfectly, they were squealing considerably. I understand the OE brakes sometimes do this when replaced (A quick search for '5th gen brakes squeaking' here will show several threads). I will grant it may be related to break-in methods.

I went with the DBA 4000 T3 4x4 series, and some TRD red pads (I have since been told that these are re-branded Stoptech Street pads.).

I can't say enough good things about how braking feels now, compared to the stock ones. I also feel the DBA rotors are the best quality aftermarket performance rotors I have ever upgraded to.

So you upgraded based on your feelings. Got it. No definitive data. No longevity upgrade. No shorter stopping distance. No brake fade data. Just feelings, and that's fine. It's your money. And feelings.

 

[Ariakas]

So you upgraded based on your feelings. Got it. No definitive data. No longevity upgrade. No shorter stopping distance. No brake fade data. Just feelings, and that's fine. It's your money. And feelings.

I know, I know, you like your Empirical data [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]

I did not have the time, ambition or need to design implement and run the tests you want to see to be able to define a quantitative difference, but I can assure you my feelings are valid lol.

I can tell you that in real world experience I can "feel" a huge enough difference that I did not find those tests necessary and have/will keep upgrading the brakes for performance and safety even at the high cost and questionably shortened lifespan.


As you are suggesting it is a personal choice. That said, I think there is a reason racing teams almost never use stock type brake components, I am not sure if any of them have run the tests you describe, but trust they have also felt a difference.

That being said, I am aware that most of them have gone away from using cross drilled rotors due to cracking. That's the reason I went with a less aggressive slot type design.

 

[GreyLife]

Hate to say it my friend but those stock brake pads are darn good. WAY better then I ever expected. I am always the one to upgrade such a component but for the first time in my life, I gotta say that when my pads are done and need to be changed, I will be replacing them with the OEMs. Either by the dealer if the price is right or by purchasing the pads at the dealer and doing it myself. Either way I am going to stick with the OEM pads. As far as the rotors go, I will leave it up to others who may know better to answer that question. But with my experience with the pads, they are really darn good.

 

[kernel.panik]

I know it's not a 4Runner, but my Girlfriends 07FJ needed new pads and rotors... all 4 corners totaled $415 from Camelback Toyota... Probably around the same price for the 4R...

I had replaced her front rotors a few months back with Autozone's top grade pads and rotors because her pad had disappeared and the backing plate had ruined the rotor. No time to get OEM, so I had to use those... Long story short, can anyone guess how bad the autozone rotors were warped?

Not even a hint of wobble from OEM... stops better than ever according to her.

 

[NorthwoodsRunner]

I know, I know, you like your Empirical data [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]

I think you need to quantify your feelings from Zero to Ten. How would you quantify the feeling? I will approve your numbers and now you have a witness and validated results. Oh, what a feeling!