Best break system upgrade?

I had to change out my brake pads two years ago. I decided on Wagner ThermoQuiet. Don't remember why.

My braking experience is sloppy. I don't like it at all. I drive easy, but when I slam on the brakes on purpose, I can't get a lock or screech out of them, and it feels to take forever to come to a stop. That feels wrong, and not okay. I don't really know when this started, but now that I am aware, I need it to stop.

What is the best thing I can do? Different pads? Steel brake lines? Replace fluid again?

 

Brakes*

quiet brake pads are usually crappy brake pads imo. look into ebc or hawk. also brake fluid couldnt hurt, nor could stainless lines although im not sure either are needed.

 

Bleeding your brakes with new fluid is the cheapest, and often overlooked choice.

 

I'm a fan of this approach but haven't done it yet: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...t-oem-parts-part-s-provided-installed.443656/

Note - 17" wheels are required, as this approach uses the 4runner rotors which have 17" wheels or larger

 

Lol, brakes, yes that was dumb. Oh, and the brake job was actually 3 years ago. Two years ago I had someone do a brake system flush.

I haven't checked my pads to see if they're worn down. I just remembered the brake issue and wanted to get the post out there. I'll check in the morning.

Knowing I had a flush done two years ago at 85K, and I'm at 118K now, do you still recommend having it done again?
I don't mind swapping pads, but I let someone else do the brake fluids last time.

 

^^^ this. Just pick your replacements wisely.

 

x2

 

^^this

 

Have you checked the brake fluid level?
Have you checked the rotors and drums to make sure the pads and shoes are making good contact?

 

Best Break System Sorry I couldn't resist.

 

OEM pads lasted me 150k miles.

 

LOL, yeah, I deserved that

 

Fluid only has a light tint to it. Nothing like the black fluid I've seen in some youtube videos. Levels are perfect. Pads still had plenty of life and seem to have good contact, even though I'm not sure how I can really objectively measure that.

My rotors have a little raised edge on it from wear and tear. It's tiny. I wouldn't have looked for it if it weren't for a video I watched last night.
I can't measure the rotors, so I don't know if they've worn down the point of replacement.

I'll look into the bolt-on parts upgrade to the bigger brake system link earlier in this thread. It seems easy enough.

 

Ugh my brakes are terrible. All the extra weight and such I've added probably don't help. But it's more just a soft pedal. I've bled the brakes quite a few times now. Still the same. I may try one of the vacuum bleeder things. I just start to brake a good bit before I need to stop. It's just a problem when somebody else drives the truck which is very rare but happens occasionally.

 

subd

 

Sub'd

Im looking into replacing the pads soon. I need guidance. I want to upgrade the brake system if financially possible. Just need to know what options are out there, and what i need to do while I have the wheels off. This is going to be a DIY. I need to learn this to save me some $$$ unless it gets complex.

 

Replacing front pads is easy. Replacing the rotors is just as easy. Look for YouTube videos. The hard part is deciding what brake kit to get.

Also, if you have wheel spacers (e.g. SpiderTrax) and want to replace the rotors, prepare to deal with any threadlocker you may have used. I just realized I have that added complication.

I'm a little less confident about dealing with the brake fluid myself, but there is plenty of instructional material out there as well.

 

Brembo blank rotors and TRD Street pads + complete fluid flush with Motul RBF 600 fluid...a month later and they still feel like I just broke them in. So much subtle toe braking control and feedback in the pedal now.

The stock brake system with the upgrades above--feels somewhat like what someone would want for an auto cross setup... just lots of driver feel and control, not to mention fast stopping power.

 

Check the rear drums! Mine were not working/adjusting properly and pedal travel was long. I had to replace the star wheel adjuster on one of my rear brakes.

 

Thanks bro. I might just go with changing the pads instead of going full on brake upgrade mode. I see there are a lot of options on rotors. Theres tons of opinions on them. Deciding which set up to consider is difficult.