Front Brake Pads, Struts, and Tools (Help me double check!)

K

KnightFiyah

New member
Hey guys,

This will be my first major maintenance project for my 4Runner so I'm simultaneously excited and OCD about making sure I'm getting the right parts. I want to replace my front brake pads as well as (while I have access to them) replace the front struts. I've read a lot of guides on how to use jacks to lift the truck (this will be my first time) and how to approach replacing the pads and struts. I finally feel ready haha

Here is my shopping cart of supplies:

(Updated with 6 ton jack stands instead of 3 ton)
(Updated with addition of C Clamp)
(Updated with Strut choice)
(Updated with Brake rotors)

Floor Jack: Checking out what Harbor Freight has! (22"+ lift)
Jack stands: https://www.amazon.com/Torin-T46002A-Double-Locking-Stands/dp/B00026Z3DQ
Breaker Bar:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWVAUT6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Torque Wrench:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5ZL0RU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Brake Pads:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C1LL96/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3PEUMU5VFQMLM
C Clamp: Renting for free from O'Reilly's!
Front Struts: https://www.amazon.com/Bilstein-24-...66014584&sr=8-1&keywords=bilstein+4600+188234 x 2
Impact Wrench: Picking one from Harbor Freight!
Brake Rotors: https://www.amazon.com/Brembo-25513...bo,p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin:4872689011

The only thing I'm missing is a link to the front struts and a link to a solid impact wrench. I was hoping ya'll could help me with those.

I made a different thread asking for opinions on the right strut alternatives. IsaiahC suggested Bilstein 5100s which is fine but all I'm seeing online is the 5100 shock absorbers and not the struts; which, as I understand, is what is needed for my front setup. So clarification there would be awesome. (Whether it be a link to Bilstein front struts that fit me or what have you)

I'm also highly considering getting an impact wrench instead of a tire iron mostly because of the amount of things I want to do to the 4Runner in the future. Figured it would be worth the investment. Let me know what ya'll think.

I wish I could follow through with all my plans sooner rather than having to wait but a combination of money plus inexperience (this is my first major project) has got me walking before I run.

If you guys think I should reconsider anything from my above part list let me know.
Thanks as always guys.
 
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Personally, I'd go with 6 ton jack stands, and a ratcheting breaker bar will make your life much easier.
 
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You wouldn't happen to have a Harbor Freight close by?

Year of your 4runner?

Ditto on a pair of 6 ton jack stands and a big C clamp. Make sure NEVER to let the master cylinder run dry.
 
I_bRAD said:
Personally, I'd go with 6 ton jack stands, and a ratcheting breaker bar will make your life much easier.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I'd go with 6 ton stands just to gain the additional height. My current 3 ton ones are too short for supporting the frame.
 
giovannie23 said:
A large c clamp to change the pads is going to be needed
Click to expand...
You're totally right, I forgot about the compression that's needed for the new pads to fit. Thanks!

I_bRAD said:
Personally, I'd go with 6 ton jack stands, and a ratcheting breaker bar will make your life much easier.
Click to expand...
Ratcheting breaker bar gotcha. Thanks!

LittleCaesar said:
You wouldn't happen to have a Harbor Freight close by?

Year of your 4runner?

Ditto on a pair of 6 ton jack stands and a big C clamp. Make sure NEVER to let the master cylinder run dry.
Click to expand...

It looks like there's one 15-20 mins away. You think I'd be better off checking them out? I have heard some good things about them now that you mention it...

It's a 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 2WD.

Okay gotcha, I'll check the master cylinder this afternoon and see how the fluid is doing.

offroadxplr said:
Agreed. I'd go with 6 ton stands just to gain the additional height. My current 3 ton ones are too short for supporting the frame.
Click to expand...
For sure, I'll go with 6 tons that ya'll have been suggesting. Thanks for the advice!
 
I wouldn't say Harbor Frieght products are necessarily "good." It's more so just the fact that for the price they are decent. Quantity has a quality of it's own.

That said, I've been using the 3 ton floor jack from them for the last 3 years with no issues. I have those same jackstands and agree the 6 ton are better suited for the 4runner. Those work great for regular cars though.

Also, getting ready to do this same work down the line. Are you sure you don't just want to go with Toyota parts for the brakes? Really not too much more. How are your rotors?

Also, are you staying stock? The Bilstein 24187244 struts are the stock replacement AFAIK? Maybe different for the 2WD?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DRYPDVM/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A16FDLXZT0LPG
 
NoVAphotog said:
Also, getting ready to do this same work down the line. Are you sure you don't just want to go with Toyota parts for the brakes? Really not too much more. How are your rotors?

Also, are you staying stock? The Bilstein 24187244 struts are the stock replacement AFAIK? Maybe different for the 2WD?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DRYPDVM/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A16FDLXZT0LPG
Click to expand...

I decided not to go with Toyota brakes just because I did a lot of research online and Akebono got good reviews everywhere I looked. My rotors seem fine.

I think I'm planning to go stock for the rear shocks (since they're cheap) but I wanted to go aftermarket for the front struts since it's mostly me or my girlfriend and I up in the front for most of the rides and I wanted something that provided a nicer ride. Bilsteins were my first thought and seem to have been gathering great reviews from a lot of people around here.


Amazon tells me those shocks don't fit my 4Runner so I'm pretty sure the 4WD front suspension differs from the 2WD (mine).

giovannie23 said:
If your not rushing to get this done I recommend these jack stands

https://www.amazon.com/Torin-T46002A-Double-Locking-Stands/dp/B00026Z3DQ
Click to expand...

Looks good, I'll update my list. Thanks!
 
KnightFiyah said:
Hey guys,

This will be my first major maintenance project for my 4Runner so I'm simultaneously excited and OCD about making sure I'm getting the right parts. I want to replace my front brake pads as well as (while I have access to them) replace the front struts. I've read a lot of guides on how to use jacks to lift the truck (this will be my first time) and how to approach replacing the pads and struts. I finally feel ready haha

Here is my shopping cart of supplies:

(Updated with 6 ton jack stands instead of 3 ton)
(Updated with addition of C Clamp

Floor Jack:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P4CF27K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1PEGS542MLEO6
Jack stands: https://www.amazon.com/Torin-T46002A-Double-Locking-Stands/dp/B00026Z3DQ
Breaker Bar:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWVAUT6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Torque Wrench:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5ZL0RU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Brake Pads:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C1LL96/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3PEUMU5VFQMLM
C Clamp: https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-91809...e=UTF8&qid=1465943895&sr=1-1&keywords=c+clamp
Front Struts: ???
Impact Wrench: ???

The only thing I'm missing is a link to the front struts and a link to a solid impact wrench. I was hoping ya'll could help me with those.

I made a different thread asking for opinions on the right strut alternatives. IsaiahC suggested Bilstein 5100s which is fine but all I'm seeing online is the 5100 shock absorbers and not the struts; which, as I understand, is what is needed for my front setup. So clarification there would be awesome. (Whether it be a link to Bilstein front struts that fit me or what have you)

I'm also highly considering getting an impact wrench instead of a tire iron mostly because of the amount of things I want to do to the 4Runner in the future. Figured it would be worth the investment. Let me know what ya'll think.

I wish I could follow through with all my plans sooner rather than having to wait but a combination of money plus inexperience (this is my first major project) has got me walking before I run.

If you guys think I should reconsider anything from my above part list let me know.
Thanks as always guys.
Click to expand...

Hey brotha, I would definitely suggest buying a jack that goes up to at least 22" of lift unless you'd prefer using to increase the floor jack's lift height. I bought a Pittsburg-brand floor jack that provided 19.75" of lift, and it maxed out before I even got the front tire off the ground. Granted I run 265/75/16s, but still, I had to return that and purchase the 'Extended Travel' version for more money--it was a 2-ton (as opposed to the 3-ton I had before) but lifted up to 23.75". That extra few inches makes all the difference in the world *cue NSFW jokes*

Good luck with the repair! Check your local auto parts store for pricing on tools--I've learned that when it comes to some things, tools included, Amazon is not near as competitive as you'd think.
 
Dewalt makes some really good cordless impact guns. I think the one I bought only has 400 ft lbs of force but they make even stronger ones for not much more than I paid. I'm having cordless impact gun envy now. Check Amazon if you're thinking of buying one. With the strength of these cordless impact guns, you don't have to go the pneumatic route anymore.

You'll need to rent some spring compressors at a local auto parts store or buy a set for yourself. Unless you plan on doing more strut jobs and want the convenience of having your own tools, I'd just rent them and it's free. Well, at least O'reillys doesn't charge for their tool rentals.
 
KnightFiyah said:
I wanted to go aftermarket for the front struts since it's mostly me or my girlfriend and I up in the front for most of the rides and I wanted something that provided a nicer ride. Bilsteins were my first thought and seem to have been gathering great reviews from a lot of people around here.
Click to expand...

I've got bilstein 4600 (blue and yellow) on the rear and I am very pleased with them. They replaced rancho rs9000s that I wasn't as fond of. Right now I have monroe quick struts on the front and they're not bad, but I will replace them with the 4600s when they die.
 
hawkmanjr said:
Hey brotha, I would definitely suggest buying a jack that goes up to at least 22" of lift unless you'd prefer using to increase the floor jack's lift height. I bought a Pittsburg-brand floor jack that provided 19.75" of lift, and it maxed out before I even got the front tire off the ground. Granted I run 265/75/16s, but still, I had to return that and purchase the 'Extended Travel' version for more money--it was a 2-ton (as opposed to the 3-ton I had before) but lifted up to 23.75". That extra few inches makes all the difference in the world *cue NSFW jokes*

Good luck with the repair! Check your local auto parts store for pricing on tools--I've learned that when it comes to some things, tools included, Amazon is not near as competitive as you'd think.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice brotha! I'll try to find one online with these adjusted lift specs.

mtbtim said:
Dewalt makes some really good cordless impact guns. I think the one I bought only has 400 ft lbs of force but they make even stronger ones for not much more than I paid. I'm having cordless impact gun envy now. Check Amazon if you're thinking of buying one. With the strength of these cordless impact guns, you don't have to go the pneumatic route anymore.

You'll need to rent some spring compressors at a local auto parts store or buy a set for yourself. Unless you plan on doing more strut jobs and want the convenience of having your own tools, I'd just rent them and it's free. Well, at least O'reillys doesn't charge for their tool rentals.
Click to expand...

For sure, there's an O'reillys pretty close to my place. I'll try to rent them from there. Thanks!

Konkordmusk said:
Any reason you're not changing the rotors as well? Are you having them turned/resurfaced?
Click to expand...

I'm only changing the brakes because I can hear them nearing the end of their lives.

I_bRAD said:
I've got bilstein 4600 (blue and yellow) on the rear and I am very pleased with them. They replaced rancho rs9000s that I wasn't as fond of. Right now I have monroe quick struts on the front and they're not bad, but I will replace them with the 4600s when they die.
Click to expand...

So this leads to something I've been wondering. Are the 4600s a suitable replacement for front struts? I thought they weren't because struts affect the vehicle's chassis itself and do more than simply absorb shock.

This is part of why I've been having so much trouble finding a good strut replacement. Someone please link me I'm desperate :lol:
 
Any front "shocks" you find for your truck will in fact be struts. The difference is that a strut includes a spring perch. The 5100's are a great replacement strut. I would recommend having a spring compressor handy if you're planning on doing the front struts. You may want to have a decent sized pry bar available too to help pry down the lower control arm if necessary.
 
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