Choice for Front Rotor and Pad Replacement

I am a new guy to forum, love my truck for the quality... Tocoma 2012 '
Got two questions... one day hit a big unexpected bump in road.. from then on Horn did not work, only works when a turn all the way to Left... surely its the Clock Spring.. Questions best place to buy a new one, or get one out of Junk yard,, is it hard to change, watched on U Tube, does not look bad.. What say my friends.. expensive part.. seems like a bump in the road should not have taken it out?

Second question ... at 61K miles, mostly city driving my 4x4 2012 Truck easy on Brakes, guess its time to change Front Pads and Rotors, although seems to be no problems. I looked at Auto Zone, Best were $336. for pair.. Performance Brake $200. Best for pair Free Shipping.. seems like a Big Difference for Best Kits...?? Are they both quoting the same Package/ What does the Group say is the best Package and Where to get the Front Rotors & Pad package.. I would really like to get the best quality, not imported... unless that is best.. What say my brothers.. who know...?/

 

OEM......?

Like to know too if the TRD pads are worth the extra $20 or so ?

 

Don’t buy TRD pads. Don’t do it. You’ll regret it. Ask me how I know...

Stick to OEM rotors and OEM pads and you’ll be happy.

 

I put brembo pads on two weeks ago. Loving them so far. Oem's were also pleasuarable

 

Whatever quality rotors/pads are on sale or have rebates.

 

Advance Auto gold ceramic pads are on mine. No issues. Quiet, fit perfect, very low dust. They have a full size friction material footprint unlike some other pads which are reduced in size.

There is no reason to buy Toyota brake pads, shoes, oil seals, coolant, brake fluid.... unless you have money to waste. Companies have been making these products before Toyota existed and they work fine. If you need a new battery would you go to the dealer for one that said Toyota?

Edit- why do you feel you need to change the rotors? Unless they're warped or grooved they're fine

 

I got 70K miles out of OEM pads and am still on original rotors at 115K miles. I see no reason to not continue with OEM.

 

OEM doesn’t mean Toyota.

 

this. OEM toyota parts

/thread

 

I know what OEM means and never used the term in my prior post. My point is why pay for the Toyota name on a generic part like a brake pad?

 

As long as your calipers are functioning properly (no sticky or seized pistons), you’ll get the most reliable performance and longest life out of OEM replacement rotors and pads. It may cost a bit more than auto parts store stuff, but it’s worth it.

Now, if you suspect you have any kind of caliper issues (like I did), it won’t matter what rotors/pads you use. Because once a caliper starts to go, you’ll end up “warping” rotors quicker than you’d like, regardless. After upgrading my calipers to T4R OEM parts, I opted for OEM rotors and TRD pads and I regretted it within days. The TRD pads are a pain to break in properly, very finicky and extremely dusty. They also like to leave deposits on the rotors if you’re not careful which will cause annoying vibrations while braking. I’ve since switched back to OEM pads after having the rotors turned and I couldn’t be happier with my fully functioning, upgraded T4R brakes.

 

Literally everyone in this post was talking about OEM though. No one mentioned using actual Toyota branded parts until your post. That’s why I quoted you.

 

Do not buy high performance brake pads. You can go with better rotors but don’t on pads.
What makes them better is improved friction... which means they wear out a lot quicker and build up more heat on breaking.

High performance pads on a Tacoma where you aren’t using it for any specialized reason is just wasted money.

 

akebono pads and cheap rotors.

 

Oreilys Ceramics and their rotors on mine. Haven’t had any issues. My original pads and rotors lasted 145k miles though.

 

I’m hoping mine last that long.
I’m getting ready to roll 100k and I’m hearing intermittent squeeking now

 

I heard through some other member that Toyota used some pads that were “too good” of a formula on the 07’s. Who really knows though. Mine were squeaking at almost every stop and I tow quite a bit. They probably would have lasted longer otherwise.

 

Who is the OEM manuactuerer?

 

If you have 16" rims I'd go with the recommendations in this thread. I personally went with the TRD pads and DBA T2 rotors based on this thread. Note that I got the pads during a 40% off sale so they were hard to pass up.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-upgrade-stoptech-rotors-trd-performance-pads.523829/

If you have 17" wheels and you need/want to replace your calipers and rotors with something bigger this is something that you might want to consider:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...unner-bbk-upgrade-for-2nd-gen-tacomas.504234/

 

That second link is the exact upgrade I installed (I have 17” TRD Sport wheels with spacers to help clear the larger calipers). I’ve posted a lot of detailed info about the kit I purchased in that thread and would highly recommend the upgrade, especially if you have a bad caliper and need to replace it anyway. And as long as you stick to a brake pad with a similar compound to OEM, it’s a fantastic upgrade for $500-$600. But I’ll reiterate, for a standard use, mostly street driven Tacoma without a ton of extra weight, there’s absolutely no need for “performance pads”. You’re just asking for extra frustration and a lot of dust. So much dust. It was horrible.