DIY Front Brake Pad Change.

I had the Hawk Ceramics on a Celica one time and both front wheels stayed brown like that from the dust off the pads.... I had to wash them all the time to keep the rims looking good.

 

so you think its from the pads and not rust?

 

I would think so but not 100 percent, usually any rust on the rotors comes off quickly and you don't notice it....

 

Just did the rotors and pads on my 2010 tacoma TRD 4 door sport at 70,000kms. I put in Msport rotors and Hawk pads. Wow! Love them. No noise and silky smooth. Great stopping power. Highly recommended. Looking at rears this weekend.

 

Did mine a while back and just a thought as I did it on mine and see no problem. But the pins with the little clips. I reversed them. So the clip is out towards you instead of back behind the caliper. That way it was easier to get on or take off if I ever have to.

 

Why do our calipers only utilize one brake pad spreader spring when there are provisions for another at the top pin? It seems logical to have two springs, one of the top, and one at the bottom? Does it not?

 

My take on this is it's not a pad spreader but designed to keep the pads shifted up against the top of the caliper. If the pad is shifted upward when travelling forward and braking you won't get the click from the pad shifting in the caliper since it's already against the caliper at the top. I reshaped my spring to increase this pad shift and greased just the side of the pad backing plate where it contacts the caliper on each side, with no more clicking when switching directions while braking.

 

I think you're right. It's called an anti-rattle spring. Makes sense now. Thanks!

I did a pad swap and rear drum clean and adjust today. Real easy!

 

Hello,
Went to change my front pads and saw this situation below. Bought this truck and decided to check brakes. Pads need replacing however the brake pad pins are seized and won't move. I'm going to buy new callipers, already have the brake pads. Would you recommend changing the rotors while I'm at it? Or is it in ok shape? The other side is in the same condition as the left side(pictures below).

Thanks
Mike

 

I would replace them. You are in there anyway putting fresh pads on. Look at at Msport rotors. They are a bit more in price but worth every penny. It's one thing I wouldn't cheap out on. It's stopping your truck.

 

I haven't worked on the Tacoma brakes yet so I don't know the set up but when using grease for caliper pins (not sure about pad pins), use 100% silicon grease. From my experience, don't bother with the caliper grease you see at the stores. Do a search you'll see most mechanics recommend 100% silicon.

 

Just FYI:

*I used 3M Silicone Paste, great stuff all around.

 

Same here. Amazon has the best deal.

 

If you have a micrometer and know the spec, you can check to confirm if a new rotor is needed. But you have a lot of rust inside the rotor so I would second the motion to replace.

 

Replaced rotors as well. Got the best I could find. Truck is all set.

Cheers for info.
Mike

 

Mike,
You might consider painting the new calipers. I had a Dodge Ram that had the calipers flaking apart as in your picture;
I blamed it on the road salt. Shortly after I bought the Tacoma, I brush painted them, then re-sprayed them last year during my pad change; they are still in good condition after 7 years.

 

I ran across a nice visual guide.

http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/...a-Front-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-001.html

 

Am about to do my brakes and most likely the rotors, which are pretty rusted. Considering doing my calipers also very rusted at 115k. When looking for the parts I see the high performance which are cross drilled and slotted. I have never used these, do people like them or is it not necessary for a daily driver? Thanks in advance.

 

I just wanted to give a HUGE thanks to this site for not only the information available, but for giving me the b***s to attempt this.

I had my Lifetime Firestone alignment done a few weeks ago and, while there, I was told my front brake pads were down to 2-3 millimeters, and was quoted a price of $400 (yes, $400) to replace them. That seemed really high to me. Sooo, I did what most TW members would do, I believe, and came to this site for help.

I read this thread and followed the advice and directions given and replaced my own front brake pads....... for a WHOPPING $62.45, the cost of pads purchased at the dealership!

I want to say thank you to those of you who have shared your invaluable information and experience with those of us who are less knowledgeable and experienced!

Having said all of this, I'd like to ask (mostly out of curiosity) whether or not you guys think these pads
https://postimg.org/image/f5fa8j5z9/
https://postimg.org/image/5ywzl90qt/
deserved to be changed, or whether or not a simple brake adjustment would have been required. (Can the front pads be adjusted?) At this point it doesn't really matter as the pads have been replaced, but it would be helpful info to me in the future.

Again, thanks to you all!!!

 

Those pads are smoked. Good job changing them out!