Dealer says I need to replace brake pads...

I WISH I got 35k out of a set of brakes! I have 27k on my 14' DCLB and the dealer today is putting on another set of brakes on it. They put on a set at 18k and now another at 27k. They say everything looks ok and they are wearing evenly but only have 10% left on the pads. As a note they have replaced both sets for free as they also feel it is early but can not give any reason besides my "mods" for this to be happening. I think I am going to get rid of the FJ steelies and the S/T Maxx's and look for a lower weight setup.

 

Driving a standard can make a difference. Down shifting instead of using your brakes can extend the life a lot. I got over 100k out of each set of brakes on my ranger by doing this.

 

Barring a mechanical problem that the dealer cannot find. You are either riding with a foot on the brake or you travel in really severe stop and go traffic. I don't think the latter applies in Dawsonville Ga, I've been through there...

 

47 posts and not much mention of using the e-brake to keep the rear shoes adjusted properly . This will save your front pads from wearing quickly . I have an automatic and use the e-brake every day .Original pads and original rear brake shoes and no signs of having to replace them yet .

 

Also a good way to check for a warped rear drum, is to "test" the e-brake while in motion. So long as they are adjusted semi-close, you will feel it. Don't touch the foot pedal,,just work the e-brake setup while moving at a cautious speed.. Don't be a fool about it,,keep the ratchet lock button squeezed on the e-brake handle while you test.

Have always set the brake, flat and level or steep incline,,for all of it's life. Just a natural reaction in my personal rig, after having to set air brakes for 25yrs in my work wheels,,before I hop out.

I do believe that a good portion of automatic trans folks tend to not set the brake, admittedly or not, but that's just a guess. Parking pawls can fail,,and away it goes to be t-boned in the street. (Seen it happen)

 

Absolutely! I'm ashamed to say I missed that. Good add..

 

I replaced the original front pads on my '06 automatic at 120k miles only because they were slightly too thin to pass inspection. Rears are still original at 169k miles and just went through another inspection. I would say I'm relatively gentle on my brakes, no off-roaring and not much stop and go.

 

Depends on many things....my 02 Tundra would eat front discs in about 10k miles. Had the TSB "big brakes" put on it and it made it about 15k per set....rotors lived to almost 100k and this time I put slotted / drilled rotors and they seem to be living better (rears lasted until about 90k)...but that is in the mountains with a truck that is pretty much at max gvw 100% of the time. Same country with a G35 Infiniti and it is at 61k and still has about 1/2 the pads left.

 

1) I don't drive with 2 feet. Granted I'm a "spirited" driver but I've never had a car or truck eat brakes like this thing. Only thing I can come up with is that the arb bumper/ winch / steel wheels / big tires ect is causing it. Just to much weight. Although I understand that the TRD Sport has larger brakes right?

 

From the factory, aren't all 6 lug Tacoma's the same brake-wise ?

There is an accessory TRD brake kit. $$$

 

I thought the TRD Sport had larger brakes and this had to run 17" wheels to clear the brakes. Please correct me if I am wrong. Id like to run a 16" wheel.