5 lug Brake Recommendations

Anyone done a brake job on their 5 lugger yet? I could use some advice.

After having my front end alignment yesterday, I was told by the shop that my front pads were at 90% wear and the rear shoes were at 70%. Front rotors measured better thickness than spec'd by Toyota .

I'm at least going to replace the front pads, maybe the rear shoes too. Not sure if I should go ahead and do the rotors too since I'll have it apart. I was going to go with Hawk ceramic pads, but they don't make pads for the 5 lug. The folks at raceshopper.com recommended the Powerstop Z-16 pads. Also thinking about the SP Performance slotted rotors.

Anyone have an opinion of good of a combo this would make?

 

Great question. I want to know how to switch out the brakes too.

 

I called today and made my order from raceshopper.com. Got pads and rotors for the front. Went with the SP Performance Slotted Rotors and Steet Plus Pads. The pads are not "ceramic" , but are supposed to be a low dust pad. Their FAQ was very helpful in learning more about brakes and the materials that they are made of. Like many other things, the it seems like you have to make some compromises on the features you want. I'll see how well this setup works for me. Edwin was very helpful in answering my questions about their products.

Also got the Motive Products Universal Bleeder off Amazon after seeing it on Gadget's website. Should make bleeding much easier.

By the way, I think the TRD pads are made by Performance Friction and are available from raceshopper for cheaper than other places. They are NOT a low dust pad, which is why I went with the SP's.

 

Disc Brakes are pretty easy.
Just remove the 2 bolts holding the "FRONT DISC BRAKE CYLINDER MOUNTING"
1. Pull off the old pads
2. Push the cylinders down using c-clamps or whatever gets it done (may cause break fluid reservoir to overflow, so you may want to remove extra as you go or just rinse engine compartment VERY thoroughly as brake fluid is bad for paint)
3. Probably want to use lithium soap/ grease on back of new brake pads
4. put in new pads
5. reassemble

You won't need to fully disassemble the brakes, but these Toyota manuals will be helpful and contains torque specs.

 

Not to hijack my own thread, but how do you like that Powertrax No Slip?

 

I love it. It's much more transparent than the Lockrite unit which I installed in the Ford Ranger I previously owned. Both of my experiences were manual transmissions and as such I had to change my driving habits a little (more so with the lockrite). The No-Slip is much smoother and easier to drive. I hear that if you have an auto transmission you won't even really know it's there (except for the massive increase in traction).

 

Yeah, I figured with the manual I'd have to keep the clutch out or in neutral when going around turns.

 

Out of curiousity- What makes you guys fans of Auto lockers as opposed to a switchable (Air locker, e-locker, etc)

 

I like them because they're cheep and easy to install. Also I like being able to use it on pavement without tearing up my driveline.

 

I really just want an LSD. I'm a 2WD 5 lug and don't do much offroad. I just want the extra traction for when the roads are slick