new front pads rubbing

[straightjacket]

Installed a set of Wagner ceramic thermoquiet pads on the front of my 2004 4-Runner today. The new pads rub to the point that I'm not able to spin the front wheels at all after the wheels are re-installed.

I can spin the rotor with the new pads if the wheels and lug nuts are not installed. It's only when I install the front wheels and tighten down the lug nuts that I can't spin the wheel freely.

I noticed that if I leave the wheels off install the lugs, they seem to push the rotor back on to the inner brake pad. This seems to be where the problem lies. If I put the old pads back on, the problem goes away.

I used a c-clamp to push the pistons back into the calipers so that the new pads would fit. The outer pistons seemed to move more freely than the inner pistons. Could it be that the inner pistons are frozen and not retracting enough to allow those inner pads to retract from the rotor?

After installing the new pads, I took it for a short test drive. With the new pads, if I shift to drive or reverse with my foot off of the brake pedal, the truck won't move. I have to give it gas to get it to move forward or reverse. During the test drive, I noticed that there is considerably more drag in the front with these new pads.

I'm wondering if the new pads are just too thick and need some time to wear down, or is this a problem with the caliper pistons?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Installed a set of Wagner ceramic thermoquiet pads on the front of my 2004 4-Runner today. The new pads rub to the point that I'm not able to spin the front wheels at all after the wheels are re-installed.

I can spin the rotor with the new pads if the wheels and lug nuts are not installed. It's only when I install the front wheels and tighten down the lug nuts that I can't spin the wheel freely.

I noticed that if I leave the wheels off install the lugs, they seem to push the rotor back on to the inner brake pad. This seems to be where the problem lies. If I put the old pads back on, the problem goes away.

I used a c-clamp to push the pistons back into the calipers so that the new pads would fit. The outer pistons seemed to move more freely than the inner pistons. Could it be that the inner pistons are frozen and not retracting enough to allow those inner pads to retract from the rotor?

After installing the new pads, I took it for a short test drive. With the new pads, if I shift to drive or reverse with my foot off of the brake pedal, the truck won't move. I have to give it gas to get it to move forward or reverse. During the test drive, I noticed that there is considerably more drag in the front with these new pads.

I'm wondering if the new pads are just too thick and need some time to wear down, or is this a problem with the caliper pistons?

Welcome! Sorry you're having issues.


1) Look up the pad part # again and make sure it's correct (it probably is...)
2) This vintage is famous for stuck/sticky pistons in the front calipers. Search frozen caliper and you'll get many hits. My guess is a trip to the NAPA and a couple Benjamins later and all will be good, sorry.

 

[straightjacket]

2) This vintage is famous for stuck/sticky pistons in the front calipers. Search frozen caliper and you'll get many hits. My guess is a trip to the NAPA and a couple Benjamins later and all will be good, sorry.

So I did some more troubleshooting. Here's a pic of the passenger front caliper...

I unbolted the caliper, removed the new pads and pushed the pistons back as far as I could (the inner pistons appear to be frozen). I then pumped the brake pedal 4 times. Only the outer pistons moved, and the bottom piston moved out further than the top. The inner pistons didn't move at all. I assume that all 4 pistons should move equally.

I guess this means that the pistons are indeed frozen and the calipers should be replaced?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

...I assume that all 4 pistons should move equally. Yes, with no resistance they may not move 100% equally but they should move with ease and about the same amount.

I guess this means that the pistons are indeed frozen and the calipers should be replaced? Yep. There seems to be no advantage to genuine Toyota on this part. Many have had good luck with NAPA and others.

Good luck!