Brake pad and rotor change

I'm going to install new front brake pads. Since the brakes haven't been changed since I got the truck I'm just going to replace the rotors as well. Does anyone have any recommendations about what equipment to get. There are brakepad/rotor kits that you can get on Amazon or elswhere or should I get genuine parts directly from Toyota?

 

IMO. Oem

 

Agree some things on these trucks you want to stick with OEM. Brakes, spark plugs, and belts.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-upgrade-stoptech-rotors-trd-performance-pads.523829/

 

What Bass said. I'll be going that route when the time comes.
There is also a sticky in the 2nd gen forum of how to do it in case you want to read that.
Only thing different I have learned is the caliper bolts freeze up pretty good on Toyota's. Get a propane torch and put heat on the caliper bolts. Not red hot, but close. They will come right out. If not you will be cussing for days after the head breaks off (ask me how I know).

 

I've been running these for nearly 2 years. Zero issues. 2 year replacement warranty against warping. Smoother than my OEMs ever were. Pricey rotors aren't necessarily any better.



I've not replaced the pads yet...though I will be soon. These pads come highly recommend by folks here in TW. That's what I'm going with.

 

All of which are made by outside suppliers and can be had for pennies on the dollar compared to oem prices.
Brakes=Advics (Akebono on some Toyotas)
Plugs= NGK or Desno
Belts= Bando or Mitsuboshi.

OP, Id look at Akebono ProAct ceramic pads with Centric or Brembo Blank rotors. Or do what the member above me did and use parts store rotors, just make sure you pay extra for the coated ones.

 

Just curious replacing pads soon, how many miles on them?

 

70k. I could push them another 3-4 k if I had too. So sometime before spring I'll replace them

 

Just did my front pads and rotors in November. My truck had 74,000, when I got metal on metal. (Been meaning to get it done for a bit) I went with the power stop set up. I have put about 1,000 miles on it since and have had no issues with the set up. The caliper pins were frozen, be warned. The set I got came with a new set of pins, so I really didn't have to worry about using them again. I usually use OEM on most part replacement situations, but have done a fair amount of research and read lots of reviews and believe I did okay in this situation. I am planning on replacing the spark plugs in the spring, and have already gotten my Denso plugs.

 

At 75k miles I repacked my original brakes with Brembo pads and car quest rotors and had a horrible vibration within 5k miles.. got a refund and purchased oem pads and rotors.. been good for 20k now

 

Measure the thickness of your rotors. IF they are within spec and not warped, replacing them is only going to cost you money with no benefit.

 

Unless youre like me and hate the looks of rusty rotors behind clean wheels.

 

$10 of paint could fix that lol. Maybe I'm just too cheap

 

trying to decide if I should return mine

bought new OEM thinking the brakes needed replacing,
but upon further look up close and measuring, the pads are still at 6mm life left, and the rotor at 27mm thickness (new might be 28mm and "out of spec" at 26mm)
even turned them on a lathe once before some time ago to remove a vibration, I guess carefully enough to still maintain thickness on the disc

 

Second this. Tons of brake dust but I can feel a good improvement over stock. I also added stainless brake lines to the front and will be adding them to the rear soon

 

OEM rotors that are coated and the Akebono act pads mentioned here. I started with the TRD performance pads but my wheels were black by the end of the week. Swapped to the ceramic Akebono's and I don't feel any difference in braking and my wheels are clean.

 

OEM rotors and pads on mine a few thou ago. While it's jacked up, install SpeedBleeders. Use a piston compressor so you don't damage the calipers. Clean everything with wire brush and brake parts cleaner.
The front brakes do a lot of work on these trucks, do a good job.