Brakepad and parts replacement help

R

r32

New member
Never done brakes before.

2008 Sport Edition
117k miles
Still have original brakes
Still have original shocks

I'm thinking it's time to replace both the shocks and brakes. I'm doing research for both.

What would you recommend for new brake pads? I do very light offroading through the Sierras, and up until this last winter, CA never got rain, so mostly dry pavement driving. Not sure what I'm going with for shocks, and will start a separate thread for that.

Also, when replacement brake pads, should I replace anything else such as rotors, etc.?
 
Register to hide this ad
I have an 08 Urban Runner, so we have the exact same brakes. Ours are larger (338mm) in the front than all the other 4th Gens, so be careful what size you pick if you deviate from what I'm about to give you.

The pads that I recommend are from Akebono's performance line. Performance vs. price is an A+. I've had mine on for about a month and the increase in braking power is awesome.

Front: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESZFW6U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Rear: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESZGA98/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Depending on if your rotors are worn, streaked, warped, etc will help decide if you need to replace them. Are you the original owner? If so, do you know if you have ever replaced the rotors? If not, it is probably time to go ahead and change them as well.

For rotors, I recommend Centric's premium line. They are e-coated, so they will resist rust better (by extension they will last longer) than OEM rotors.

Front: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZWJHPY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Rear: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BZZPRM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Let me know if you have any questions.
 
Last edited:
From the 2007 Toyota 4Runner Repair Manual from Toyota - page MA-8

BRAKE

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

1. INSPECT BRAKE LINE PIPES AND HOSES

HINT:
Work in a well-lighted area. Turn the front wheels fully to the right or left before beginning the inspection.

(a) Using a mirror, check the entire circumference and length of the brake lines and hoses for:
  • Damage
  • Wear
  • Deformation
  • Cracks
  • Corrosion
  • Leaks
  • Bends
  • Twists
(b) Check all the clamps for tightness and the connections for leakage.
(c) Check that the hoses and lines are not near sharp edges, moving parts or the exhaust system.
(d) Check that the lines are installed properly and pass through the center of the grommets.

2. INSPECT BRAKE PEDAL
(See page BR-8)

3. INSPECT PARKING BRAKE
(See page PB-1)

4. INSPECT BRAKE LININGS AND DRUMS
(a) Check the brake linings and drums. Also check the brake linings of parking brake.

HINT:
  • If a squealing or scraping noise is heard from the brake while driving, check the pad wear indicator.
  • If there are traces of the indicator contacting the disc rotor, the disc pad should be replaced.

5. INSPECT FRONT BRAKE
(a) Check the front brake pads and discs (See page BR-40).

6. INSPECT REAR BRAKE
(a) Check the rear brake pads, discs linings and drums (See page BR-46).

7. INSPECT OR CHANGE BRAKE FLUID
(See page BR-3)

Fluid:
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT3
 
Wow that was a quick feedback. Thanks for the links! I am looking at them now.

I am the original owner. I have never replaced the rotors. I've done all the maintenance myself on the vehicle to this point, but have no experience with brakes.

I like resisting rust part for the rotors, because I spend about half the year on the coast and I don't have a garage. That salt air is a part killer on vehicles.

I have no problem paying a bit extra for better performance, especially when it comes to something so critical as braking. Those pads seem very reasonably priced. No idea what normal prices are for pads though.
 
Last edited:
For rotors I went with Duralast Gold. 3 yr warranty. 20% off online orders and free shipping. UPS ground. I'm close to the distribution center so they were at my door in two days. Fronts (338mm) were $126 to the door.
 
r32 said:
I am the original owner. I have never replaced the rotors. I've done all the maintenance myself on the vehicle to this point, but have no experience with brakes.
Click to expand...

Changing rotors and pads is a super easy job to do. YouTube has some great generic tutorials as well as the previously listed link.
 
mpyle said:
For rotors I went with Duralast Gold. 3 yr warranty. 20% off online orders and free shipping. UPS ground. I'm close to the distribution center so they were at my door in two days. Fronts (338mm) were $126 to the door.
Click to expand...

I buy everything at autozone. Bc when the calipers sieze up ( and they will) all I do is walk in and walk out with a free warrenty replacement. As far as the salt air do the duralast gold rotors are fully coated to fight rust. As far as calipers. The lower inside pistons freeze all the time. I just did a warranty exchange on an 1st month old caliper. And I live in raleigh .
 
jonathansdotson said:
I have an 08 Urban Runner, so we have the exact same brakes. Ours are larger (338mm) in the front than all the other 4th Gens, so be careful what size you pick if you deviate from what I'm about to give you.

The pads that I recommend are from Akebono's performance line. Performance vs. price is an A+. I've had mine on for about a month and the increase in braking power is awesome.

Front: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESZFW6U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Rear: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESZGA98/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Depending on if your rotors are worn, streaked, warped, etc will help decide if you need to replace them. Are you the original owner? If so, do you know if you have ever replaced the rotors? If not, it is probably time to go ahead and change them as well.

For rotors, I recommend Centric's premium line. They are e-coated, so they will resist rust better (by extension they will last longer) than OEM rotors.

Front: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZWJHPY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Rear: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BZZPRM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Let me know if you have any questions.
Click to expand...

I was just in the middle of doing the same thing and am going to get the same setup. Rockauto has them for much cheaper.
 
From RAV4 Forum:

Beaumont67 said:
I bought the premium brake kit (G3500 cast iron rotors & ceramic pads) last year / rears installed.
- this product ships out of the GTA-Toronto area / so Canadians save large / currently 50% off
- rotors are drilled, slotted & coated / I broke the brakes in hard, for 15 minutes
- my garage friend charged me $150 labor, to do the rear axle / include lube calipers, pins & shims
- still using original calipers, that came on the 2008 RAV4 v6 / one was sticking, mechanic fixed it

^^ Probably saved $700-800 per axle avoiding Dealership, and end up with great parts.
- could not be happier / improved stopping distance & zero noise
- brake dust on alloy rims, almost nothing
- will have the front brakes done, this fall
- since I ordered a 4 wheel kit, just a labor charge next time

MaxBrakes ELITE xDS Series Kits, shipped out of Ontario, Canada:
Brake Kits - ELITE xDS Series Kits
^^ Company also ships to USA customers.

First time I bought a 4 wheel brake kit, saved $500 in parts (for Jimmy), not purchasing from local NAPA/UAP.
Click to expand...
 
jonathansdotson said:
Wow. This whole set up is only $150.. ELITE xDS Series Combo Brake Kit

Quality (thickness, coating, etc) looks amazing plus they are drilled/slotted.
If I had seen this deal I would have ordered it.
Click to expand...

They are the best quality for the $$ & currently 50% off sale / the MaxBrakes rotors, are a nice precision product.
- the RAV4 brake job got treated to ceramic brake lub (caliper pin maintenance)
- the rotor castings are thick and the G-3500 grade of cast iron says shinny / no rusting away, like the cheap "white box" brands
- the ceramic brake pads, don't come with the shims / go to reuse the original ones
 

Attachments

  • MaxBrakes1.jpg
    MaxBrakes1.jpg
    43.8 KB · Views: 238
  • MaxBrakes2.jpg
    MaxBrakes2.jpg
    39.5 KB · Views: 236
  • MaxBrakes3.jpg
    MaxBrakes3.jpg
    29.4 KB · Views: 230
Last edited:
+1 for rockauto.com
Centric rotors
Akebono pads
Also, new slide pins for the front calipers
How old is the brake fluid? Might as well refresh it if it's dark.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 1,578 (members: 3, guests: 1,575)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,085
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top