I need brakes on my '06....questions....

[JPL]

With 55k miles, I need my first brake job on my '06 4RUNNER, I want to do it myself, what's entailed? How do I get the pads out of the caliper? And what are the best pads and/or rotors?

Thanks all!
J
:banana:

 

[ecrew16]

Getting the pad out of the caliper is just opening the nipple and pry on the pad against the caliper to give you some slack, some juice will come out from the pressure, un-do the pins and spring sets and wah-la. Pad out.

 

[Ducman]

Here

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance/63934-my-4th-gen-front-brakes-walkthrough.html

:cheers:

 

[JPL]

Great, thanks guy's!
So that's the consensus, Toyota pads?

 

[sheik]

In my experience, performance pads give better braking but also a lot more brake dust to get on your wheels. Not worth it for me as the OEM's are fine and I can't stand the wheels being dirty constantly.

When I need to do my brakes I will price Toyota OEM and an OEM replacement and go with the cheaper option.

 

[DRC]

With 55k miles, I need my first brake job on my '06 4RUNNER, I want to do it myself, what's entailed? How do I get the pads out of the caliper? And what are the best pads and/or rotors?

Thanks all!
J
:banana:

Just curious, you mentioned replacing the rotors also. I see you only have 55k on the truck. Do the rotors need to be replaced or can they just be cut?

 

[JPL]

Just curious, you mentioned replacing the rotors also. I see you only have 55k on the truck. Do the rotors need to be replaced or can they just be cut?

To be honest, I won't know fully about the rotors until I get in there, I think they are o.k.....I just wanted the info, just in case...

 

[03v8sportt4r]

Anytime you put on new pads its best to have the rotor cut so the new pad has a new surface so they wear together. I've seen it too many times where if you just do a pad slap the brakes squeal more. Also if you take the rotors somewhere to be cut make sure they have the toyota/composite rotor adaptor so you don't run into any other issues.

 

[Larry77]

In my experience, performance pads give better braking but also a lot more brake dust to get on your wheels. Not worth it for me as the OEM's are fine and I can't stand the wheels being dirty constantly.

Not only that I have found that they don't last nearly as long...

 

[av8or]

Anytime you put on new pads its best to have the rotor cut so the new pad has a new surface so they wear together. I've seen it too many times where if you just do a pad slap the brakes squeal more. Also if you take the rotors somewhere to be cut make sure they have the toyota/composite rotor adaptor so you don't run into any other issues.

wrong. you risk reducing the thickness of your rotors which will shorten it's service life. resurface only when necessary. if your rotors are in good condition, (smooth, flat and no deep scoring ) they do not need to be resurfaced.

 

[Ducman]

brakes

Honestly I think it would be a huge mistake at 50,000 miles to not replace the rotors. You are going to save yourself what? $150 max and end up having to do it down the road anyway... Matching new pads with new rotors will ensure a nice smooth brake pedal with no annoying vibration or uneven pad wear.

I use Napa Ultra Premium rotors and OEM pads on all my vehicles and I think its the best of both worlds. I paid $75/each for the 4Runner Ultra Premium Napa Rotors which have a powder coated "hat" area and a very tough finish on the rotor faces. They really resist rusting and will probably last you past 100,000. I cant say enough good things about them, made in USA, reasonably priced and great quality.

In general I have found most OEM pad kits fit the best and will give you quiet brakes with minimal brake dust. The Toyota brake pad kits, like most OEM Toyota parts, work great.

Also.... REPLACE THE CALIPER SLIDE PINS.

 

[03v8sportt4r]

wrong. you risk reducing the thickness of your rotors which will shorten it's service life. resurface only when necessary. if your rotors are in good condition, (smooth, flat and no deep scoring ) they do not need to be resurfaced.

Sure you dont have too turn/cut the rotors but if you want the most from your brake it is best to resurface the rotors. Being the the service industry we see it all the time. Sometimes its ok and some times it's not ok. your choice. A good shop will only cut off what is needed so a good clean smooth surface. If they are warped then you might have to cut off more. JMHO.

 

[DRC]

Anytime you put on new pads its best to have the rotor cut so the new pad has a new surface so they wear together. I've seen it too many times where if you just do a pad slap the brakes squeal more. Also if you take the rotors somewhere to be cut make sure they have the toyota/composite rotor adaptor so you don't run into any other issues.

I agree that it is best to either turn/cut the rotors or replacement them when doing a brake job. If the rotors are warped then replacement is best IMO. I was just curious to see what others had to say about this. I have noticed in recent years that dealers and a number of service shops try and sell you new rotors every time like it’s the standard these days. Even when the rotors have never been turn/cut before. I have always had rotors turned at least once before replacing them unless they were in bad shape. At 55k, however I would imagine a light resurfacing is all that is needed. As long as they fall within the OE specifications for thickness they are fine.

Btw, what is this “toyota/composite rotor adaptor” your mentioned?

 

[03v8sportt4r]

I don't know how to explain it but toyotas run composite rotors and if the aren't hooked up the the brake lathe correctly the will chatter and in turn they will cause squeaking with your new pads. Just call around to a few shops and stay away from the local parts stores for the toyota rotors.