Hard Pull to the right under braking

[jsmith21]

So I've noticed for a while that my runner kinda pulls to the right a tad when getting on the brakes really hard but I never slam the brakes so I wasn't too worried about it, well recently I was driving down the intestate at about 70 and noticed the cars in front of me were at a complete standstill, so I had to slam on the brakes. I thought the thing was gonna flip, it turned hard to the right and it took everything I had to stay in my lane and get stopped at the same time. So is this the signs of the infamous frozen caliper? I have the small brakes ( had factory 16 inch wheels) and the left caliper is rusted but it's always worked fine so I've never really bothered fixing it. But if it's pulling to thee right that would mean that the left caliper isn't working, correct? I don't know I'm no expert on brakes just need some opinions..I need to get this fixed probably

 

[fdbyrne]

It's almost certainly a caliper. I'd just go ahead and replace both front calipers, pads, and rotors. None of them are expensive or hard to do by yourself.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

almost 100% caliper. take off the wheels and check the front rotors and pads and compare them, you should see some abnormal wear and potentially scoring/gouging on the right rotor

 

[BOSMECH]

Brake job !!!!!!!
Takes about 4 to 6 hours to do at the most.

 

[jsmith21]

almost 100% caliper. take off the wheels and check the front rotors and pads and compare them, you should see some abnormal wear and potentially scoring/gouging on the right rotor

It's almost certainly a caliper. I'd just go ahead and replace both front calipers, pads, and rotors. None of them are expensive or hard to do by yourself.

Brake job !!!!!!!
Takes about 4 to 6 hours to do at the most.

Thanks guys I figured that's what it was but its always good to get a second opinion.

Next question, should I go with 4th gen calipers again or upgrade to the 5th gen ones? I plan on doing calipers, rotors, pads, and then while I'm at in throw in some stainless brake lines just for the heck of it.

 

[Velonici]

Thanks guys I figured that's what it was but its always good to get a second opinion.

Next question, should I go with 4th gen calipers again or upgrade to the 5th gen ones? I plan on doing calipers, rotors, pads, and then while I'm at in throw in some stainless brake lines just for the heck of it.

If you are replacing everything its almost dumb not to do the 5th gen upgrade. As long as you have the 17 inch or bigger wheels.

 

[geazowksitn]

you should see some abnormal wear and potentially scoring/gouging on the right rotor

 

[radlynx]

it's not worth upgrading it in my opinion. the existing brakes in itself is really good. also the effort of cutting your shield is not worth it.

Thanks guys I figured that's what it was but its always good to get a second opinion.

Next question, should I go with 4th gen calipers again or upgrade to the 5th gen ones? I plan on doing calipers, rotors, pads, and then while I'm at in throw in some stainless brake lines just for the heck of it.

 

[fdbyrne]

it's not worth upgrading it in my opinion. the existing brakes in itself is really good. also the effort of cutting your shield is not worth it.

I agree. If it were me, I'd go with NAPA remanufactured calipers with a good warranty. If they seize again, just swap them out for free.

Change out the brake fluid while you're at it. Old brake fluid contributes to the seizing problem.

 

[M1911]

As others have said, it is most likely a stuck caliper.

Since you are replacing calipers, pads, and rotors, I would go ahead an upsize to either the larger 4th gen or 5th gen brakes. Yes, you have to bend or cut the dust shield. But the bigger brakes will give you a bit better braking for little, if any, additional cost.

 

[Velonici]

Why are people saying its not worth it? It would cost you $10 more for the 5th Gen calipers, and the rotors are the same price. So for $10 (and bending the dust shield) you have bigger brakes (always a plus when you need them) and so far (as far as I know) there aren't any issues with the 5th gen calipers. To me that worth the extra $10 it would cost. Those prices were looking at rockauto.

 

[fdbyrne]

Why are people saying its not worth it? It would cost you $10 more for the 5th Gen calipers, and the rotors are the same price. So for $10 (and bending the dust shield) you have bigger brakes (always a plus when you need them) and so far (as far as I know) there aren't any issues with the 5th gen calipers. To me that worth the extra $10 it would cost. Those prices were looking at rockauto.

There's certainly no harm in doing it, but the benefits may not be what you think they are. Better braking is great and worth it. I (and many other people) aren't convinced that the seizing caliper problem was solved for the 5th gen trucks. It's too early to tell.

I already had the larger 4th gen brakes and chose to stay with 4th gen brakes. The first set lasted a decade and 125k miles.

 

[M1911]

I have the smaller 4th gen brakes and have gone through at least 3 sets of calipers.

 

[blind squirrel]

You could also just un-stick and rebuild your current caliper. Thats what I did, cost about 4 dollars per side. :snacker: Although I have the larger gen 4 ones.

 

[M1911]

You could also just un-stick and rebuild your current caliper. Thats what I did, cost about 4 dollars per side. :snacker: Although I have the larger gen 4 ones.

Which, if you have the time, tools, location, and required skill is a pretty good idea. I, on the other hand, don't have the time, tools, location, or required skill. And working out in my driveway in January when it is 0 degrees out, kneeling in the snow, is not my idea of a good time.

 

[radlynx]

I replaced my front rotors and pads a few weeks ago. I have the SR5 2005 4runner with 110000 miles. I replaced my caliper around 65000 miles including the pads but not the rotor. I found that my rotor diameter is 12.5 inches and the bigger rotor is around 13.33 inches, that's what I got when I ordered it and returned it for the correct size.

now my question is, what rotor size can you use for the bigger caliper? I believe the brake pad size for larger and smaller rotor are the same. the brake booster for these 4runner seems a very well designed one. I think what really matters is your brake booster. if you want to have a good braking system, upgrade your brake booster to a much better one.

I have the smaller 4th gen brakes and have gone through at least 3 sets of calipers.

 

[jsmith21]

Thanks for all the info everyone. So I guess the general consensus is that upgrading to 5th ten brakes may not be worth it...I'm really not trying to cut the shield if I don't have to. Would I also have to cut it to fit the larger size 4th gen brakes? If so I may just replace everything with what I have right now. The brakes still stop me pretty dang well minus the pull to the right right now haha

 

[Velonici]

I just bent mine back a bit. No cutting required.

 

[M1911]

Thanks for all the info everyone. So I guess the general consensus is that upgrading to 5th ten brakes may not be worth it...I'm really not trying to cut the shield if I don't have to. Would I also have to cut it to fit the larger size 4th gen brakes? If so I may just replace everything with what I have right now. The brakes still stop me pretty dang well minus the pull to the right right now haha

If you go with larger rotors, whether 4th gen or 5th gen, they will not clear the dust shields. Your choices are:

1) replace the dust shield with larger dust shield.
2) cut the dust shield.
3) bend the dust shield.

If you don't want to do any of that, then your only choice is to stick with the smaller brakes.

If you are spending the money to replace your rotors, calipers, and pads, IMO you might as well upsize to the larger brakes. And if you are going to spend the money to upsize to the larger brakes, you might as well spend just a few dollars more to get the 5th gen brakes with the larger diameter pistons.