How long do brakes last?

[rockwall]

I have an 03 Limited with 47,000 miles. My original brakes still seem fine, but I was wondering at what milage they are normally changed?

 

[clint616]

Brake pads aren't something that are generally changed on a "mileage interval." There are really too many variables (city vs. highway use, driving habits, towing, braking force, etc.), so in general, you are simply supposed to change them as needed. Most oil change places will check your brakes as part of the package, and they'll usually let you know if they need changing. If you change it yourself, most pads are designed to squeak or screech when they need changing.

 

[Redstone8]

Most of my driving is highway with some city. Changed all four at about 42k. The front ones were near the end of life and the rear ones could have been used more, but changed them anyway. I don't do any towing. BTW be prepared for a stuck front caliper piston if you have never inspected them before. It's usually the inboard lower piston. Although you might be one of the lucky ones not to have one, but I had to change mine. Covered by warranty so didn't pay a dime.

 

[swise]

If you remove the tire and look at the rear of the rotor/caliper, you can see a horizontal groove in the middle of the pads(see pic) this is a visual indicator of life left. These have 30k on them and are at half life.
at about 1/8 thickness left, there is a little "nub" of metal that will be exposed and begin to squeal as it hits the rotor surface. This tells you its past time for new pads, as this will begin to destroy the rotors.

 

[Nuke]

That's like asking "When will I die?"

I've had brakes last anywhere from 30,000 miles to over 150,000 miles. It depends on many factors; city driving, highway driving, towing, do you downshift, aggressive driving, yada yada.

I had 150,000 miles on a Celica and insisted the dealership replace the brakes. I was nose to nose with the service manager arguing that I NEEDED brakes and he was arguing NO I DON'T and he refused to put brakes on a car that didn't need them. And even with towing campers and boats with my T4R's (I'm on my third), the earliest I've put brakes on those was at 95,000 miles.

A mechanic friend of mine replaced my 3rd gen rotors and brakes (nothing wrong, just wanted better stopping power) and at 60,000 miles he said the pads he removed looked almost new.

 

[EDness]

I replaced mine at 40k but i know i'm hard on brakes. Did it myself with Centric rotors and OEM toyota brake pads. Did them myself and it was very easy.

 

[nated05]

97,XXX miles still on factory brakes. No squeaking or pulsing of any kind. I would say the far majority of those miles are highway driving whith generally good traffic.

 

[rockwall]

Re: Brakes

Thanks for the replies. My 03 still stops as good as ever at 47,000. I am not very hard on my brakes and don't like stopping fast.

I am also on my original battery, but I think that I will change it before winter sets in just to be safe.

These 4Runners last like crazy!

 

[asm]

at about 1/8 thickness left, there is a little "nub" of metal that will be exposed and begin to squeal as it hits the rotor surface

FYI, I have seen a few times, not on a 4Runner, but other Toyota/Lexus, where the "nub" promptly broke off when it came in contact with the rotor. The owner continues to drive until pad material was almost gone!!

So, do still check those pads every so often... The "nub" could fail.

 

[AZDropTop]

My 97's brakes lasted until 90K. We kept trying to get our mechanic to change them and he kept saying, "Nope, you dont' need them."

 

[clint616]

FYI, I have seen a few times, not on a 4Runner, but other Toyota/Lexus, where the "nub" promptly broke off when it came in contact with the rotor. The owner continues to drive until pad material was almost gone!!

So, do still check those pads every so often... The "nub" could fail.

Your saying that the "nubs" on all 8 pads failed simultaneously? I find that hard to believe.

 

[ALLEGRO]

61,000 and still going strong. No pulsing and still the same GREAT breaking I have enjoyed for years now.

 

[VNT]

I have '05 and just replaced them at 60,000

 

[DC Dude]

'03 Sport with 44K miles. Just replaced both front calipers b/c of corrosion. Cost about $650.

 

[DaBoostCreep]

05 Sport, Rotated wheels at 50k miles a few days ago and there was alot of pad left.

 

[fraggy]

My 2004 v8 sport has 178,000 on it and the brakes have never been replaced. The key factors are driving conditions (city being worse) and driving practices (tailgating usually requires more brake usage).

 

[Border411]

I replaced at 40K for the originals, and thank god I did as I found that 2 of the pads had significant cracks running right through them! I then reaplced again at 80K due to the forzen caliper situation.

 

[manhunter]

I replaced the original front pads at 130,000. I went ahead and upgraded to the EBC green stuff pads and the dimpled rotors while I was at it. They should last from now on.

 

[adkinsadam1]

We have never changed ours and are at 65000 miles. All four make a TERRIBLE squealing. Loud and obnoxious. But the inspectors still say they've got tons of life left. Why are they making so much noise???

 

[atomicbob]

My first rotor/pad change was at 180K Miles. Second change was due at 250K miles but I got rid of my ride for a new one. I never touched the rear brakes.