Brake Pads for 2005 - which ones?

I called the parts department at my local Toyota dealership and they have two choices for pads. For $55 I can get the American made version that have ceramic in them, or for $100 I can get the Japanese version the came stock on my truck without the ceramic. Anybody here get the cheaper version, wondering if they perform differently?

 

Hmm, you could get some aftermarket performance pads American Made Hawk for under 100, or British EBC.

Both will work, I think the Japanese ones perform a bit better, I think they are Akebono? Other ones are Wagner IIRC.

 

I've read good things about the EBC pads, maybe I'll try a pair.

 

Depends on the type of driving you do, different pads for different styles.
From what I remember all Akebono pads are ceramic.
If it was me I would look for Centric Posi-Quiet or Autopart International Posi-Met pads.
They are a high end semi metallic pad, huge difference from regular aftermarket. They are designed for street use, not track, not sure about off road.

 

I'm looking at brakes for mine too. Anyone combine oem pads with aftermarket rotors? Do they squeak?

 

O E M.

how many miles you got on the rotors? best bet is to replace rotors n pads... if you have gone 100k on stock rotors n pads... spend the extra 160 or so for OEM rotors as well.

57.02 for each OEM rotor, and 72 bucks for pads on parts.camelbacktoyota.com

 

Almost every aftermarket rotor is made in China.
Nothing really wrong with that, you just need to understand that there are multiple different quality levels of the parts that come from there.
If you go aftermarket compare the vanes, thickness, hat height.

I know of some big store aftermarket companies that sell multiple levels of pads and rotors. After serious research and third party testing guess what was determined? Same pads and rotors in all the boxes, from this one company, just different levels of warranty.

If you go aftermarket try to get pads and rotors from the same place. If you have an issue, noise, vibration, whatever it is usually easier to get them to help you getting them defected and replaced.

 

I've got 70,000 on the truck.

 

Yeah do yourself a favor, OEM rotors and pads, but most important full flush of the brake system

 

Yep - the Chinese are catching up....fast. Not everything they sell is junk. Japan went thru the same thing.

Just like batteries...only 2 or 3 companies make them.

Good post.

 

I'm inclined to go OEM on the brakes for my Toyota truck, but can't help thinking about the possibility of even better brakes from an aftermarket source.

As an example my last truck was a 2004 Dodge Dakota. The OEM brakes seemed to work just fine. When it came time for brakes my mechanic ordered some aftermarket rotors and pads. The rotors didn't cost too much, but the pads were real pricey. Don't remember what brand they were. The stopping power was amazing. Night and day difference. When I bought my Tacoma last year the first thing I noticed was how wimpy my brakes felt compared to the aftermarket ones on my Dakota.

Toyota makes great stuff, but would the right aftermarket brakes be even better?

 

see

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/364805-bigger-brakes-07-tacoma-trd-off-road.html

 

I had a caliper lock up on mine a few weeks back. I had just replaced the other caliper a few months before so I got the caliper, regular rotors from Advance, and Bosch quietcast pads. I usually run Brembo rotors and Toyota pads but I've been very tight on funds lately and the Bosch pads were half the price. Rotors were like $37 each with an online coupon code and were right down the street. Which was good considering I was metal to metal. I am shocked to say how much more I like the Bosch pads than the Toyota pads. Better initial bite and much more linear feel under harder braking. They almost feel like the high-dollar Cool Carbon pads I run in my BMW. But without the noise and dust those throw off.

 

Thanks

As far as brakes it amazes me how many people do not replace calipers in pairs, do not inspect brake hoses, etc. you need to look at the whole system not just the trouble spot.

It's amazing what stainless steel brake lines will do for a vehicle over regular rubber lines.

 

I've had great success with Brakemotive's rotors & full ceramic pads.