Couple of questions about brake replacement

2007 Prerunner with 180k miles on original brakes. I'd say they are due . Planning to replace pads and rotors. I'm the original owner.

The brakes actually still work well except they make a clack when I change direction and brake. They've done that for years. So it's drive forward, apply brake, CLACK. Then drive in reverse, apply brake, CLACK. I assume it the pads shifting in the calipers. I'm planning on replacing all retaining springs. Do I also need new brake pad pins?

I have always had good luck with Wagner brake parts so I'm going with all Wagner parts. Looking on Rock Auto, Wagner lists 2 rotors for the Prerunner. One with 48 ribs and one with 60 ribs but they are the same size. Why does it matter how many ribs?

Thanks.

 

More ribs adds surface area which is mo betta for dissipating heat.

You only need new pins if the old ones are damaged/corroded.

I have my doubts the pads are the cause of the clanking. With the rotors off, you will be better able to test the wheel bearings. But worn out bushings or BJ can cause clanking also. As can worn tie rod and body mounts.

I used to put Wagner TQs on all my vehicles. I now use Dynamic Friction when I can, and Power Stop when DFs are not available.

 

Oddly, the rotors with more ribs are the cheaper option and by quite a bit. Weird.

Not really a CLANK. It a CLACK and it's definitely the pads doing it.

 

My 2cents. You wont get 180k out of any aftermarket parts period. Also you can get oe parts for under $200 online. Rotors, pads and all the hardware.

 

Could be the pads shifting forward and back in the caliper bracket. This could be caused by a hardware problem (new hardware and fit kit should help), but if it's been going on for too long, you may need a new caliper bracket too.

I'd also vote for OEM parts.

 

Very common for the pads to shift in the calipers and make a click/clack when changing direction, it's mostly due to how the calipers are designed and how the pads are held in place with just the 2 pins.

Some people have added an extra spring clip on each side to help eliminate the noise.

Mine has done it since it had around 15k on it, I don't worry about it.

 

It was one of my first posts I ever made here on TW.

Quality pads help. The better they fit, the less room they have to move and "clack".
Obviously you don't want them too tight in the caliper. But too loose and they "clack" more.

OP, I used Wagner the last time I did my front brakes.
Way back in 2012.....
Parts quality has gone downhill since then.

So I can't tell you if you should use them now.

 

Have you measured your brake pads to verify that you need new brakes? That's the only way to know. Brake wear isn't all about miles, it's about how you drive. I have 145K on my Tacoma and 4-5 mm of wear left on my pads, front and rear.

 

If you can afford it, I'd consider just going all in and replacing calipers too. They're almost 20 years old at this point. They would come with fresh retaining pins and hardware too

And no there's nothing wrong with our brake pads clacking a bit. It's the design, it's not something that needs to be worried about or fixed

 

Yes. But that was some time ago. I think back in 2019, before covid. Since then the truck doesn't get as many miles on it. At that time I had about 4 mm left on them. I figure it's got to be much less by now. I was going to check it again before I order parts. Even though I'm not yet hearing the sensor, I don't feel good about towing with it.