front brake disc size > rear

[tcpoob]

what gives - i noticed the front disc brake appeared bigger than the rear on the 2005 SR5 V6 w/ 17" wheel. Is it just my illusion? It's more important to stop the front wheels than the driving wheels? I use the RWD mode most of the time on the V6.

 

[sharp4runr]

The fronts are larger because the front brakes do more of the braking work, thus they need a larger surface area to dissapate heat.. Also you wouldn't want your rear brakes to have too much bias because you wouldn't want to lock up your rear brakes and jack knife your rear end...

I'm sure there are other reasons and the more technical guys can give them.

 

[Thai]

The fronts are larger because the front brakes do more of the braking work, thus they need a larger surface area to dissapate heat.. Also you wouldn't want your rear brakes to have too much bias because you wouldn't want to lock up your rear brakes and jack knife your rear end...

I'm sure there are other reasons and the more technical guys can give them.

What he said. Front brakes are most important in a stop. As for front-rear brake balance, this is controlled by Electronic BrakeForce Distribution (EBD). This electronic thingy controls how much brake power goes to the front and rear depending on vehicle load.

 

[tcpoob]

Thanks Thai and Sharp4runr.

Does the 4th gen Sport and Limited trim have the similar set up as mine? I am wondering what I might be missing as I think someone mentioned in a thread a few months ago that the 17" wheel SR5 have the same (bigger) sized brake as the Sport / Limited.

What he said. Front brakes are most important in a stop. As for front-rear brake balance, this is controlled by Electronic BrakeForce Distribution (EBD). This electronic thingy controls how much brake power goes to the front and rear depending on vehicle load.

 

[Thai]

I believe that only the SPORT Edition version gets the bigger front disc brakes. Everyone else gets the slightly smaller front disc brakes, no matter rim size.

 

[Koz]

Approx 80% of you braking is done by the front brakes. When you step on the brake the weight of the vehicle shifts forward, that's why the front dips down. If it wasn't for the anti-locking brakes and brake distribution systems you wouldn't even need disc brakes in the rear, you could get away with drums. If you look at the Tacoma, they have drums in the rear, because of how light the rear is, no need for disc. Most (if not all) of the other pick-ups have disc rears yet the Tacoma stops sooner, with drums. Some people would say they cheaped out and not see that it works better.

Koz