Another plea to bleed your brakes.

Today was the day I was finally going to do something about the spongy brakes on our 09 DC OR...

With new rotors, pads, and stainless lines in hand I crawled under the truck only to find I had the wrong brake line kit from G-stop (despite correct labeling on the pack). The rotors I had been shipped were wrong too...

So I resolved to do what I could while I was at it and remounted the OEM stock front pads with some CRC disc quiet - the rattle going over bumps is gone now!

I also decided to go ahead and bleed the brakes as I had all my stuff out. Got bubbles at both rear drums!?! This is the way the truck came from the baja factory as the brakes have never been touched.

Long story short the brakes are MUCH better. Easier to modulate and much better pedal feel. Had I been able to use the components I had ordered I would be typing a testimonial how much better the "upgrades" were.

Needless to say the brake upgrades are being returned and I am pleased to have improved brakes for less than $10 (not counting the shipping I am out).

 

I just put new pads on my 07 this weekend. My brakes weren't/aren't spongy at all. They are pretty responsive, maybe it was just your particular truck. I'm at 60k miles. When I rotated my tires last week I noticed my pads didn't have too much life left in them so I decided to change them before they did any damage to the rotors. I didn't need to change the rotors thank goodness, I didn't have any vibration/shimmy when braking and they looked to be in good shape (no gouging) so I just swapped the pads.

Only $34 for a set of wearever golds from Advance Auto parts. I have put the wearever golds on all of my vehicles over the years and they seem to be a good pad, never had any issues with them.

 

My '06 is still on the OG brakes at just a tick over 47K. Not spongy at all, still stop as good as when new

 

Dude my brakes are all jacked too. My pedal was traveling super far so i brought the truck to toyota. They checked and said my brakes were out of adjustment. Anyways, driving home brakes felt fine but now, one week later, they are doing the same shit again. WTF!!! I need to take them back to toyota but does anyone have any idea what this could be?

 

Air in the brake lines

 

I too, had bad rear brake drums from my 09 baja taco. After replacement I complained about spunginess, dealer says they're ok but not like they should be. I may replace the lines as well...

 

If they're not like they should be, how is that okay? Do this to your dealer

 

Ok I dont know if this is posted somewhere else but this thread is perfect to post this.
Brake fluid should be replaced at least every 5 (5 summers) years. If you have spongy brakes it should be replaced sooner here is why.
Brake fluid is designed to bind water which it does very often sucking water/moisture from air. What that does is after some period of time there is so much water in brake fluid that it affects the braking power. Water under high pressure will turn into vapor (air) and bubble up creating spongy brakes. Not to mention it will allow brake lines to corrode from inside. So what do you do.
Make a habit of replacing brake fluid every few years. 3 - 5 depending where you live. If you live in high humidity location 3 years if dry area then 5 should be enough.
How do you replace brake fluid. You simply bleed brakes until clear fluid comes up. Then make a quick run on sandy road with heavy breaking until ABS kicks in. And you bleed breaks again.

 

In all my years as a shade tree mechanic Ive yet to find drum brakes that self adjust properly. Try adjusting the rear drum brakes and it should take care of the low or spongy brake pedal. Works wonders on my rig.

 

What's a shade tree mechanic?

 

A do-it-yourself type without a garage who parks it under the nearest shady tree to do the work. My kind of dude.

 

Ha ha aren't we all ?
And you know you are hardcore shady-tree mechanic when town sends you a letter telling you to get rid of various car parts from your front and backyard

 

LOL. I had never herd that before. Good to Know.

 

I have 77K on my 06 and the rear brakes are original. Getting a bit spongy, so they will be replaced on Wednesday. I'm to hard on my brakes not to have any !

 

Man, my brakes suck. should I just take it to the dealer and let them dick with it, or just have someone around here (ie, the tidewater mechanically-inclined types) have a look at them?

 

This is one of the most neglected areas on all vehicles.
I have seen some real crap/debris in almost new cars and truck lines.
Fluid goes bad fast, overheating them, humidity, and neglect will lower the ability to stop when you need it most.
spend a little time and replace that fluid often.

 

I replaced my breakfluid this weekend, and adjusted my rear drums. My brakes seem alot more firm. Im not sure which caused it. More that likely the new fluid because my rears where barely out of adjustment. You should really try changing your break fluid.

 

How hard is it to bleed the brakes and change the fluid?

 

It's actually not that hard. You take a turkey baseter and drain the reservoir. Then, bleed the brakes in the traditional way( starting from the furthest one first) until you get clear fluid coming out the line. Keep an eye on the reservoir and make sure it doesnt run low on fluid while youre bleeding the brakes. Easy as that. It's good to have someone to help you out with the bleeding, or you can purchase a bleeding kit.