Weak/Bad OE Front Brakes

I have a '12 Prerunner SR5 and the brakes haves sucked from day 1. there's a massive hollow from the top of the pedal to the bottom, no ramp up of grab. There's no way to modulate braking. Is this an issue with undersized brakes from the factory or something else. I'm considering putting on aftermarket brake kits and possible bigger rotors. My thought is to move the stock front disc brakes to the back where there's drums now. Any advice?

 

Interesting. Never had any problems with my OEM pads/rotors, and have just replaced them with the same. There are plenty of threads on here about replacing the drums with discs, which all say the same - it will be a mistake.

 

Advice. Do not install Disc Brakes on the rear. You will be unhappy, So will your wallet.

 

Also, OP you can get braided lines that will help, too.

 

I felt the same way about my 08' when I first got it. The pedal feel sucked, but I guess because I'm fairly easy on my vehicles, I've never had them fade on me in regular use. My truck before the X was an 00' S-10 that I installed braided lines on. The pedal in that truck was much much better in terms of feel than the X. I never did get around to doing the braided lines on my X but I'm sure it would make a significant difference in the pedal feel as well.

Adjust those rear drums. It's the rear brakes that are responsible for pedal height and initial bite. If they get grabby in damp weather or rain, open them up and clean / adjust them.

Even though the pedal feel stock is shit, and the rotors are small, they do the job for every day driving.

 

Thanks for all the comments. I realize now i wasn't clear.... The front brakes are the issue and as I thought/think it is a rotor size issue. Therefore I'm considering installing bigger front brakes. hoping to salvage the old fronts...I was gonna throw them on the back. But after reading your comments I realize how bad an idea that is. With all your advice I'm going to look in to braided lines first then maybe other solutions. I just hate the feel of slamming on the brakes just to slow down in stop and go. This is not an issue of being a bad driver, I've owned 5 cars over 25 years and never had this issue except with my '67 Country Squire which was so heavy i could of used a jake brake.

DoorDing: there's isn't enough braking force, but that isn't the primary issue. it's the lack of braking for the first 85% of pedal engagement. It's like there's air in the line. I'd consider better pads but i think the rotors too small. I don't think i need to turn the rotors as the issue was there day 1.

SpacemanSpiff: forgive my ignorance (all i know about hyrdaulic disc brakes is regarding mountain bikes).. what will braided lines do?

Burghlar and beandwack: thanks for knowing what i'm talking about. sounds like i need to learn about brakes. Any books or just get a chilton's?

 

buddy o mine tows a a 6000lb toy hauler on 33's and never has an issue.

my 2013 can lock up all 4 without much issue, the brakes on these things are plenty good IMO better feel and relative stopping power than the HUGE 4 wheel disk setup that was on my 2500HD chevy hydo assist setup... and that was a DAMN good factory brake setup... cant say the same for the rest of that POS chevy.

 

I'm in the same boat you are OP as are thousands of others. It is a very well known issue on these trucks. The brakes are next to piss poor. I have to be careful swapping from my Taco to my F150 because hitting the brakes like you have to in a Taco I feel like it will throw me through the windshield. Toyota spared a ton of expense when building these trucks and the brakes were no exception.

 

seriously not sure what you are talking about.... buddies 11 DCSB trd off road will lock up all 4 285/75/16 duratracks on dry pavement quicker than you can imagine (with abs off mod of course)

i have to watch myself in my 2013 DCSB trd off road with the brakes cus they are quite touchy compared to other vehicles.

maybe its those that dont have the TRD off road electric brake booster master cylinder that are complaining.

 

This is a well known issue with Tacoma's. There are tons of posts about people complaining and always comes up when I get a Tacoma in my shop especially when they see I drive one myself. Most that say they are fine don't tow a lot and are daily commuters or haven't been in a vehicle with really good brakes.

When I tow my tri-axle dump trailer loaded or my Lightning and Mustang around to the track and shows 5-6 hours through traffic with absolutely no worries in my F150, that's good brakes. I didn't buy my Taco for towing but when I do I have to pay a lot more attention to other drivers on the road and plan stops.

 

They are functioning exactly as designed. Repeating that statement it is probably safe to assume that I have done more brake jobs than vehicles you have even past on the highway and you have not used the search function and read numerous complaints on here and every other Toyota forum on this subject. There is no fix for it other than upgrade.

It's great that you are content with them for they probably suit your driving style. But I can guaranty there are a lot more Taco owners that are dissatisfied with theirs than satisfied.

 

Mine work perfectly. As designed.

 

Sadly you're correct. Weight isn't really a factor with a heavy load.























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Your statements aren't making any sense. No one said they are unsafe. Use the search function and prove it to yourself as most on here already know. With 14000 post you obviously have plenty of time to do so, haha

 

Haha.... That's awesome! +1

 

Baffled here, the Tacoma is so underpowered I have no idea why anyone worries about brakes.

 

Damn, you sound like my wife. She makes stuff up I didn't say too. They are piss poor. Not unsafe. Your post count is very relevant. You obviously have plenty of time to prove it to yourself. Most on here don't need proof because they have already posted about crappy brakes. This subject has already been discussed time again. Maybe you might need to read a little slower so your statements will make more sense.