Yearly Break Caliper Maintenance

M

matthewy03

New member
I want to do some caliper maintenance this summer on my 09 with 50,000 miles on it, just to see if i have anything frozen and to prolong the life of them as much as I can.

I was thinking about replacing the slide pins for starter, should be cheap and easy. What grease do you use on these when you replace them, is it just the caliper grease??

I was also going to check pad thickness and compress all the pistons to check for any stuck ones.

Is there any other things people should be doing on like a yearly basis just for maintenance on these calipers since its a pretty well known problem.

I realize there are a few other threads that mention a few things but i though i would start one dedicated to just the maintenance on them.

~Thanks!!
 
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Yes

You are on the right track by wanting to maintain the brakes on these trucks....

I've started making a habit of replacing the slide pins up front every season. I use caliper grease that comes in a little packet on them.

I also think its wise to replace the pads before they get super low and the pistons are pushed out really far. I replaced my fronts (pads and rotors) when the pads were down to just under half.

The rear pads I probably should have replaced a little sooner I think (they were worn down to about 30% or so).

I also think its important to sloooowly push in the pistons when replacing the pads and to use a c-clamp on an old brake pad in order to maintain even and uniform pressure on the piston.

Nearly 80,000 on the original calipers now. :beer:
 
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Thanks Ducman. I did read all your break post and a few others, that is why I knew about the slide pins, just didn't know what type of grease to use when i replace them.

Any other recommendations?? I did get a set of Akebono break pads for the front in case they were worn, last summer when i checked they still had well over 1/2 pad left.
 
Grease

The only other thing I've done is try to keep the tabs on the ends of the brake pads properly lubed to ensure they don't get hung up. I also put a thin coat of caliper grease on the face of the piston where it contacts the pad shim.

At the very least I think an annual tear down and re-lube is in order on these trucks. If you are in a state that sees snow and uses road salt, then replacing those pins for sure.

I know a few guys have recommended flushing the brake fluid every few years, but the fluid in my truck is still nice and light and the brake pedal is very firm so I'm going to leave it alone for the time being.
 
Ducman, where do you get your slide pins, from a store like NAPA or from the dealer? also, is there any other pins that need replaced when you do your slide pins, like something that holds them in??
 
Napa

I use the Napa ones part number UP 82682W which is for a pair (you'll need 2 of those sets to do both sides up front). Its around $10 for all 4 I believe.

The retaining cotter pin things 'R-clips' for the slide pins don't appear to be anything special but Napa item UP 82129A will give you (4) new little R-clips for the slide pins as well as (2) of the big M-clips that go between the pads. $7 if I remember correctly for the bag and does the whole front end.
 
With part numbers and everything!! Awesome. I have a NAPA right next to my work and will plan on replacing these this summer.

Thanks Again.
 
my 2008 has 46000 miles on it. I'll be doing the brakes at 50-55k this summer. I'll just replace the pads, pins, bleed & lubricate all hardware. The used pads can probably go another 15-20k but it's not worth the seizing crap. while I am in there might as well put new pads on. I use only Toyota OE parts as my dealer gives me 10-15% off.

I usually do all my vehicles at 55-60k anyway.
 
Ducman said:
You are on the right track by wanting to maintain the brakes on these trucks....

I've started making a habit of replacing the slide pins up front every season. I use caliper grease that comes in a little packet on them.

I also think its wise to replace the pads before they get super low and the pistons are pushed out really far. I replaced my fronts (pads and rotors) when the pads were down to just under half.

The rear pads I probably should have replaced a little sooner I think (they were worn down to about 30% or so).

I also think its important to sloooowly push in the pistons when replacing the pads and to use a c-clamp on an old brake pad in order to maintain even and uniform pressure on the piston.

Nearly 80,000 on the original calipers now. :beer:
Click to expand...
:iagree:
 
Ducman said:
The only other thing I've done is try to keep the tabs on the ends of the brake pads properly lubed to ensure they don't get hung up. I also put a thin coat of caliper grease on the face of the piston where it contacts the pad shim.

At the very least I think an annual tear down and re-lube is in order on these trucks. If you are in a state that sees snow and uses road salt, then replacing those pins for sure.

I know a few guys have recommended flushing the brake fluid every few years, but the fluid in my truck is still nice and light and the brake pedal is very firm so I'm going to leave it alone for the time being.
Click to expand...
:iagree: again!!
 
I replaced my front rotors and pads last fall, but didnt touch the rears. Just curious is the process pretty much the same as the front? I used Ducmans write up from the maint. section. Thanks!
 
Rears

I recently did the rear rotors and pads on my truck and I thought they were even easier than the fronts.

I did take some pictures... maybe I'll throw together a write up it later on this week. I had kind of forgot about it.

Anyway, the rear rotors have a drum setup on the inside of them (e-brake) which I had heard could be a nightmare. I found the opposite though. My rear rotors pulled right off with no issue, I did not have to mess with the 'star wheel' at all.

The slide pins on the rears are actually threaded and came out without issue. (I re-used them).

My pads were down to 30-40% and after replacing the pads and rotors braking performance was noticeably improved. My wife even commented on how much better the truck stopped a day or so later.

I went with Toyota pads and Napa Ultra Premium Rotors.
 
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