new to me 2009 double cab - soft brakes

I just got a 2009 Tacoma double cab v6 (SR5 Sport package I think), with 130K miles. It's my wife's daily driver, and we plan to use it to pull a small camping trailer. My issue is that the brakes seem really soft to me. We had a 2013 Tacoma, and the brakes were much firmer than on this truck. Is there a problem with the 2009 in particular? I have read a bunch of posts here and plan to try the following: 1) bleed brakes, 2) get a set of stainless steel brake lines, 3) then look for other problems like defective m/c or abs module.

I don't want to spend money needlessly, but I can't beleive this is normal.

Any suggestions? Which stainless lines should I get? Part no's? Does the kit come with all small parts needed (washers, clips)? etc etc...

Thank you for any help anyone can provide. Otherwise the truck is in very good shape and though I cringed at trading a newer truck for a high mileage older truck, my wife is very happy with the "upgrade" - more power, and of course, the ability to tow our new trailer.

 

Check the pads themselves, they may be fairly worn out. FWIW I find the braking on my 2015 to be lacking in general.

 

My 2010 TRD Pre Runner's brakes are way soft, too. No early bite until the end, doesn't help with axle wrap problem.

 

Check the pads but yes my 2015 is very soft as well. If you know how to bleed them I suggest you do it or have it done. That will change the feel

 

With that many miles I'd personally do a brake flush and check the brake pads themselves, good chance they are worn out and need replacements. Pads aren't too expensive to replace and might solve your problem. That's what I'd do.

 

I know what you are saying. My friend has an 05 trd and her pedal is super duper squishy. It takes a lot of force to stop the truck. On the other hand my 13 trd will make you eat steering wheel if you are not carful. From what i gather these vehicles are all over the place concerning brake feel.

 

Bleeding didn't help in my case but it was like that from the beginning.

 

Took it to dealer since I have a short warranty/grace period. They pulled the wheels and inspected all. Tech said he pushed the calipers back to test. All is normal except for possibly sub standard aftermarket autozone front pads. He said they are still thick enough but just not as grippy maybe. Replace with oem next time. Strangely, pedal now feels a bit better even though he said he did not really fix anything. No charge which was nice.

I appreciate the advice. If it gets soft again I will do a complete flush and change front pads. Prolly add braided lines too. What fluid? DOT 4 right?

 

Good thing you got it checked out in time! Hopefully your pedal feels more responsive, I have a hard time with soft brake pedals, luckily my 13 is super responsive.

 

My 2009 was very squishy to the point of being frightening. Last brake re-do at about 60,000 miles, installed the TRD front pads that are listed for the truck, in addition to new rotors. Made a noticeable difference.

 

I agree.... the brakes are underwhelming, at best, on these trucks. I put SS Braided lines on and do think there was a marginal improvement. It's also a good opportunity to shove some new fluid in there.

 

Oh and as for brands; I used Goodridge up front and Toytec extended lines out back. I don't know who makes the lines for toytec. If the truck is daily driven as you mentioned, you wont need longer lines.
The retainer clips should come with any brand you purchase, but if they don't for some reason, the old ones can be re-used with no problem at all.

 

If I change the front pads, which do you guys recommend? These?

http://parts.toyotaofdallas.com/toy...s-cat/front-brakes-scat/?part_name=brake-pads

($71 for four from Toyota Parts)

Lots of expensive choices here:

http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/20A50531A1.aspx

 

Check your brake pads or have them checked to start the process.

 

My brakes are squishy feeling. But, I've just adjusted, they stop hard if I want them to, just takes more pedal input to do it.

I just assumed it's the way the truck feels. I went from driving a Ram 1500 with squishy brakes, to a Camry with solid brakes(about gave myself whip lash the first few months) and back to a Tacoma with squishy brakes. Just figure its a truck thing.

 

pull the rubber plug on the back of your drum brakes and adjust upward until you feel some resistance in turning the drum. This fixed my soft brakes and I'm running 285's.

 

Was your 2013 a trd off road? The master cylinder assembly is way different vs the trd sport and non trd tacomas, hence the soft pedal feel

 

no, the 2013 with stiff brakes was a base model access cab with a 2.7L 4cyl.

 

I ordered a set of Wagner Thermo quiet (?) front pads. When the come I'll install them and adjust the rears as well.

UPDATE: they arrived. Amazon damaged box deal - very good price. wagner Quick Stop units - very OE looking. Came with clips and grease. I think about $20 for all four with two day shipping.

 

Just want to update: I posted above that my brakes were soft, from the first day I bought it in 2009. I decided to look at the rear brakes for the first time in 30k miles. Cleaned up and readjusted and it's so much better now, even compared to when it was brand new. I can feel the brakes bite way earlier and my parking brake can easily hold the car on inclined driveway (in neutral) with the parking pedal pushed only 1/3 or 1/2 of the way down. I think it was set up too loose from factory and can be improved.