Frozen Calipers - How many others had this problem?

[futbolking]

After posting earlier in the thread & reading through it again & other threads of similar nature, some questions have come up and/or gone unanswered.
Seems after market calipers come from the same casting as the toyota oem calipers, but some have had luck with the NAPA parts. Big brake kits seem to be an option, but are expensive. Are there any other after market options for the calipers?
If replacing calipers with rebuilt calipers will only seize again, why haven't more people done the tundra caliper & rotor replacement? Or is this only good for the 3rd gen? I am unclear about this.
Finally, do the 5th gen have the same set-up as the 4th?
Thanks in advance.

 

[GoodSide]

I've replaced both front calipers myself...one froze around 90k and the other 10-15k later. Wasn't too difficult to do. Shop wanted $250+ for one side..I think I got away with $80 a side with your core and reused my pads...rotors were under warranty so took em back and got new. Prob 45min-1hr a side max with simple hand tools for the average diy'er.. I'd be interested in the tundra upgrade but haven't done any searches for it.. Unless you are doing tons of hauling save some money and get stock replacement rotors and upgrade your pad.. I run HAWK which are pretty good pads reasonably priced.

 

[bluemarlin04]

I'm starting to think this is the same problem on the 4runner I just bought. It pulls to the left when I brake and I can feel it braking weird (not pulsing, it's like the power isn't being applied evenly).

Did you guys change both calipers or just one?

 

[DC runner]

I have no idea of the problem. It could be a design flaw of the OEM cast or a flaw of the brake system.

As soon as you realize it isn't a huge issue, you can look at it like this:

I went to autozone and bought a lifetime warranty caliper. It takes, total, about 15 minutes to pull a caliper. It is honestly easier than an oil change since you have to remove the under armor on the V8.

If you factor in brake bleed, 25 minutes. I did both on mine in about an hour. If they ever stick again, I go back to Autozone and get 2 new ones.

Rinse and repeat. I know it would be better if it wasn't an issue. But it is, what it is. And honestly... this is a minor issue compared to many other cars. We know here that a how bunch of Jeeps like to have their transmission catch on fire.

ICK! That isn't one you just fix and move on.

I best suggestion is find a reputable company with a lifetime warranty. Any large chain has good reputations these days. Autozone, NAPA, Advance. I liked Autozone because they link the warranty to your account and you don't need a receipt. I lose those. I give them my email or my phone number and they can pull it up.

The way I see it. At best you replace and never worry again. At worst, it forces me to examine and replace my calipers every so often. OH well?

 

[DC runner]

I'm starting to think this is the same problem on the 4runner I just bought. It pulls to the left when I brake and I can feel it braking weird (not pulsing, it's like the power isn't being applied evenly).

Did you guys change both calipers or just one?

Change both. Save you hassle. Since to be honest, bleeding the brake system is the largest hassle. The actual PULL of the calipers is easy. Break the bolts and off they come. If your going to have to bleed it, do both.
That way you KNOW both of your fronts are good.

I did and I didn't even have a stuck front. Toyota told me I did, long story, pulled them and didn't. They were rusted though and the slide pin bent so I said hell with it and did both.

Brakes great.

 

[bluemarlin04]

I guess I'll do both and be done with it. This isn't anything new to Toyota. Fiances Corolla had a frozen caliper. 93 Pickup also had the same issue.

I've been experiencing a death wobble above 60. Went outside to take a look at the tires before getting them rebalanced and found a screw sticking in the top of the tread on the front driver side wheel. I'm guessing that is what is causing the off balance when I get up to speed.

After redoing the brakes and getting the tire fixed I hope it fixes all of the problems.

 

[<<<<]

The reason Honda brake parts don't corode as much as Toyota's is Zinc Plating. Even bolts get Zinc Plated in Honda cars. What gives, Toyota?

 

[ChaosStarter]

The reason Honda brake parts don't corode as much as Toyota's is Zinc Plating. Even bolts get Zinc Plated in Honda cars. What gives, Toyota?

It's all about the benjamins my man.

 

[eli_lilly]

Add me on the list, 2003 at 122K miles - front right caliper seized in the braking position. Replacing today.

-E

 

[earthrealm]

long nice interesting read whole 6 pages of it........pheww seems i hv a bad rotor or seized caliper piston..my steering wobbles a bit when i brake at 60mph n above

 

[natevans65]

I would suggest that if you need to replace them again like I have, my next set will be from say.....a NAPA so that it comes with a 100% warranty unlike the OEM's from Toyota....never again!!!!

 

[The Thomas J]

I just replaced mine. They lasted 125,000 miles. Superstorm Sandy did them in when the storm surge flooded the neighborhood. Need Both front calipers, front rotors & pads all around. Cost was just under $1000 & it took them about 2 hours.

 

[wanderingandrew]

Hey all,

Add a 'me too' to this list. 2007 SR5 4WD V8. Both fronts, outer bottom piston frozen. Replaced by local dealer under extended warranty, just cost me pads, slider pins and the shim kit. $1050 paid by Toyota, pads, etc., cost me about $100.

Mileage was around 92000 when this was done. Vehicle lives in PA now, not sure of history before 54k.

 

[Apex]

My 05 has needed 2 right front calipers and one left front, with the left front taking out the rotor. The Autozone rotor did not fit so it was an expensive dealer item. These calipers are a joke. My right side replacement is from O'Reilly's and the left from Autozone. Both have lifetime guarantees so the 2nd right was free--save the receipts! The only hard thing was that I needed to buy a new IR impact wrench to break the caliper mount bolts free. My old 250 ft/lb impact gun would not budge them. Lots of heat didn't not free one really bad one either. I now consider caliper replacement as part of a routine pad replacement. Some might blame Ohio winters, but really--this is ridiculous.

 

[earthrealm]

hmmmm the autozone part didnt fit?..is urs sr5/sport/limited?...i hv an 05 sr5, so want to be sure i wont have the same trouble as am about placing order for caliper and rotor

 

[Apex]

Mine is an 05 Limited. When I went to the dealer they ordered it based on my VIN. The parts guy said there were 6 different versions and he needed my VIN to ensure he got the correct one. I have no idea if that is true. All I know is that the Autozone rotor did not fit. It was very close--but that doesn't count.

 

[honda_nos]

I just had my front brakes done by my Toyota tech friend and fortunately the calipers were not frozen. I have about 40k miles on it now.

 

[4runner2356]

05 4runner discs donot fit

Was going to replace my front rotors and pads, but I had an issue once I tighten the lug nuts. The wheel locked up on the back pad so the wheel would not turn. I was able to get the caliper pistons to return back into the calipers with a clamp prior to the install of the new pads and rotor. The rotor was purchsed from autozone. It's like the offset is not correct on the rotor. I do have the sport edition which is the larger rotor
338mm. I reistalled the old rotors with the new pads and everything is working now. Seem's like the stock rotors are different from the autozone ones. Stealership wants $150 per rotor. does anyone know of someplace cheaper to buy the toyota rotors? Maybe it could be my caliper pistons are not back all the way and is causing the issue?? any help would be appreicated.

 

[TechWrench]

Was going to replace my front rotors and pads, but I had an issue once I tighten the lug nuts. The wheel locked up on the back pad so the wheel would not turn. I was able to get the caliper pistons to return back into the calipers with a clamp prior to the install of the new pads and rotor. The rotor was purchsed from autozone. It's like the offset is not correct on the rotor. I do have the sport edition which is the larger rotor
338mm. I reistalled the old rotors with the new pads and everything is working now. Seem's like the stock rotors are different from the autozone ones. Stealership wants $150 per rotor. does anyone know of someplace cheaper to buy the toyota rotors? Maybe it could be my caliper pistons are not back all the way and is causing the issue?? any help would be appreicated.

It sounds like you may have gotten the wrong rotor for your vehicle, and they don't fit properly. Did you visually check the new rotors against the old ones before installing them? I have used replacement rotors from both AutoZone and NAPA, and had no problems with either ones. It was my understanding that the only difference between the standard (SR5) rotors and the larger (Sport) rotors was the diameter. The offset and other mounting clearances were the same. Maybe someone else, with more knowledge on the differences between the two types of rotors could chime in and confirm that.

 

[ChaosStarter]

It sounds like you may have gotten the wrong rotor for your vehicle, and they don't fit properly. Did you visually check the new rotors against the old ones before installing them? I have used replacement rotors from both AutoZone and NAPA, and had no problems with either ones. It was my understanding that the only difference between the standard (SR5) rotors and the larger (Sport) rotors was the diameter. The offset and other mounting clearances were the same. Maybe someone else, with more knowledge on the differences between the two types of rotors could chime in and confirm that.

That is correct. The brake pads are the same for both as well.