Understanding 2004 Tacoma Front Brakes

Hello,

We recently took our 2004 Toyota Tacoma to a local Toyota mechanic - they did a front disc brake job with new pads and calipers among a few other things like a full safety inspection.

Two questions though:

1. <5 days after we picked our truck up, the brake fluid is at minimum and what I imagine is brake fluid is leaking down the left front tire. Is this normal? Anything specific I can look for? Should the mechanic have to fix this without additional charge as this wasn't an issue before we took it in?

2. If I understand the Toyota brake diagrams correctly, the rusted "piece" of metal in this image is the brake dust shield - I've read all over the place that it's actually better to NOT have them on. Is that true? Pros/cons of having or not having this piece? (also, if this is something different, will you please let me know what it is? )
Thank you!

 

There is a lot more rusting away there than just the brake shield....but to answer your primary question, NO...brake fluid leaking is not normal at all, and I would take that right back to the shop (after topping off the reservoir). If you run out of brake fluid or any air gets into the system from the leak source, you could lose all braking power.

 

That mechanic is a moron for reinstalling that rusted brake line. The leak is likely from those brake lines.

 

Nothing looks wet on or around the wheel. Is there evidence that it is leaking? Or are you just guessing it is leaking because the fluid level is low? The mechanic may have just forgotten to top off the resivoir after completing the job.

Yes, it is a good idea to take it back to the shop and have them look at it.

Your dust shield has nothing to do with your brake hydraulic system leaking.

 

Often when installing new brakes and rotors, if the brake fluid level has been properly maintained, you have to remove fluid from the master cylinder. So the mechanic may have done this preemptively and forgot to check the level when he was done.

 

@eon_blue Thank you for the helpful response. We have contacted the mechanic and are trying to get it back in to be repaired without a whole new service fee.

To be clear, the rusted piece of metal with holes in it to the bottom right of the shiny new caliper is the brake dust shield, correct?

And yeah - there is a LOT rusted there.

@ChargedSHOTaco thank you and I completely agree. We will be getting a new mechanic after this one rectifies the current situation.

Thank you all!

 

Brake line is rubber and looks fine from the photo.

 

@Dare Devil Diablo here's another picture that shows the fluid trail on the tire of that same brake assembly, which this combined with the low fluid level and big fresh wet spot on the ground under the truck are what lead me to believe there's a leak - but, I am by no means a mechanic, hence asking for all of your helpful help!

 

Yeah it's hard to tell from the pic, but it might be leaking from where the line and banjo bolt go into the caliper. That part of the line definitely looks rusted and could be the culprit

 

I've never seen an all rubber brake line and fittings.

 

Yes, that is definitely evidence of a leak! Looks like a new caliper and I can see the mechanic properly installed new brass washers on the brake line connector. Most likely the banjo bolt is not properly torqued. You could also have a faulty seal on your new caliper.

Taking it back to the mechanic is your best bet. He should be able to repair it for free. I am assuming it was not leaking when you brought it in. They should fix it.

 

Yes, the connection to the caliper is metal and looks fine from the photo. The rubber will almost always fail before the end connections. Thanks for your helpful comments though.

 

Before you spend any more time on that truck, have the frame inspected.

 

This has nothing to do with the questions posed but I would thoroughly inspect the rear of that frame.

Such rust should never be expected or considered as "ok"

If no due diligence was done to prevent such nasty rust from occuring, then you may have bigger issues at hand

Just something to consider before putting more money into this thing

Otherwise, you've received some great information regarding your brake issues

 

You are correct that that is the brake dust shield. It isn’t something I would worry about. They rust away in the Midwest, no big deal. Others are right to have you inspect your frame for rust if you’ve never looked at it. Tap it with a hammer to look for soft spots where there is rust.

 

FWIW, yes, shop should have a look, but with regards to billing you... if it is a loose fitting, then no charge imo. But if your brake line is failed then yes a charge is expected (a good shop would discount or give free labor because they should have fixed it the first time...)

Dust shield -- present or not is fine. Sometimes when rusted then bend and can rub on rotors making a sound when turning.

good luck -

 

I think you might have bigger problems...

normally I'd say replace those two flex lines going to the calipers...
before the metal fittings crumble...

but what happens if the hard lines just twist apart when u do that....


And if the front stuff is that bad.....usually the rear stuff is at the next level....

rust will get into and defeat all those.......even the differential.....


these at this age are like a Chris Craft boat........the purchase is just the down payment.



If I was a brake service center, I wouldnt touch your brakes with a ten foot pole,
unless I went in and replaced everything short of the hard lines, master, and booster...

The calipers I would buy only the best you can....and the rear wheel cylinders I'd either get the asin ones, or at least the official asin rebuild kit....

 

^ this