Buying New Brake Parts

2012 V6 Offroad.

I'm going to buy new brake pads and rotors for a DIY replace on the front brakes soon.

I've seen on this forum that many people insist OEM is the only way to go for this. Just curious as to why this is. Is it simply a longevity thing?

 

When you go aftermarket, you find a huge range of options. Anything that's cheap is probably a POS. That's why people recommend sticking with OEM.

But there are aftermarket options that are on par with OEM, but you usually have to pay close to OEM prices for them. Hard to go wrong with OEM, and that has a known quality.

 

Bought the truck used in March 2020 with 96k and the brakes were almost done on the front. Here is my thread on what I went with.

I find them way better than stock. More bite, less dust, no squealing at all. Been running this combo with a full bed of firewood and have been extremely pleased.

Hawk LTS pads + Brembo rotors.

 

For me, I get 100k out of front pads. For the money, it's a no brainier.

Stay away from those lifetime warranty pads. Unless you enjoy doing brakes every 18-24 months. Ya, they give you new pads, but you'll be replacing rotors on your dime.

 

I put Hawk HPS pads and Brembo rotors on the front of my Acura TSX. Great stopping power, but they are a little "dusty."

https://www.hawkperformance.com/hps

 

Also for you OEM guys, do you find you end up needing replacements for all the assembly springs and whatnot too? I've noticed that lots of aftermarket option come in kits with replacements for these, but parts.toyota.com doesn't seem to have a similar option other than buying each piece separately.

 

When I last spoke with my dealer they don't regularly change out springs or shims unless there is a problem with the OME parts...I'm sticking with OME pads and be done with it....Good luck - keep us posted

 

Change your guide pins. I don't think any pads come with those. Mine were bent and were a bear to tap out. Make your life easier and just order them now.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...t-oem-parts-part-s-provided-installed.443656/
Nothing but good reviews on doing this if you want upgraded braking power while still being oem quality.
Edit: Similar upgrade, better thread https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...unner-bbk-upgrade-for-2nd-gen-tacomas.504234/

 

OEM, Advics, or Akabono are my recommend brands for quality.
They seem to last and have less brake noise or fitment issues.

That being said, I went with Advanced Auto Premium. No issues in 70k+.
I did replace all brake parts when doing the pads.

If I do brakes for other people,
I still recommend the ones above, as they almost always work with no issues.
(Advics, OEM, or Akebono)

 

I just bought OEM pads, rotors , new pins and the cotter pins for 181.13 (including 6% tax) not expensive imo . The cotter pins are like .25¢ and the pins are like 3 or 4 $ if I remember correctly I got part numbers too if you need them .

 

FWIW, Advics are rumored to me OEM.
See below for reference
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-brake-pads.659286/#post-23037599

 

some things U simply dont scrimp on

OEM while very pricey................U know what U r getting

consistent driving habits get U relatively same results .............same mileage .........same performance

many OEM products are ' matched ' result being they arent sketchy

on the aftermarket side IF U had the luxury of laying out pads from Napa.....rock....oreilyly etc

U would SEE Actual flintstone differences

some will get U out of a shop.......get U an inspection sticker

Will NOT Stop On A DIME !!

 

Brembo rotors and Akebono pads from rock auto is a great combination for stopping power and longevity.

 

Because factory parts work best.

 

The lemmings on TW use the logic that: "it came from the factory this way, lasted this long, so it must be good" - ........"Because factory parts work best"......and while that's correct, there are many after market alternatives (some already referenced) to OEM. There ARE some value and performance alternatives to OE that don't sacrifice safety or performance. Do some additional research. Check other automotive forums. Then,if you can't figure it out, just stay with OEM.