1st gen brakes DIY?

Ugh, I need to do mine (never done it before) and this is what I'm afraid of.

Also wondering about what people recommend for pads and rotors--the OP asked, but only got (from what I can see) Brembo blanks and Hawk LTS pads, and Duralast pads. Anyone else?

 

Mine were pretty badly rusted from all the Utah salt but after spraying on some liquid wrench and a few whacks with a deadblow they came off easy enough.

 

how about the rear drum brakes??

 

I watched video and looked at my front brake to try to determine if my pads were worn since truck (2000 Tacoma 4wd) is not stopping well. I have pulled wheel off but have not removed clamps. I don't see any pad (if I am looking at correct place.) Can you tell from these pics or do I need to remove anti-rattle clip?


Am I looking at it right? Are the pads gone?

 

Show us a picture of your rotor!

 

Here is Rotor

 

So I see some wear but I can't tell if there is gouging which would mean your pads are done. Also can't tell from your other pic. Pull the 2 bolts for caliper and look, its harder to take the tire off than the caliper. Just make sure you have a C clamp to reassemble if you need to squeeze the caliper pistons. Maybe someone else can chime in, I can't tell for sure.

 

Thank you, had to leave to pick up kid (other car.) Are you saying undo the two bolts in back of Caliper or just the two pins holding the brake pads and the anti-rattle thing in?

 

Looks there is pad material left, blue is actual pad material (which contacts rotor) and yellow is the backing plate (which supports material).
You can see the shims, and just the edge of rotor under the spring clip.

I just did a complete front/rear brake job on my 3rd gen 4Runner (similar brake system as 1st gen Tacoma 4wd) and it made a significant difference.
The old brakes didn't look "bad" measurement-wise, but new OEM Toyota rotors/pads/hardware really improved braking performance.
I also did the rears while I was in there, along with a full fluid flush.

 

My braking is terrible. Going down slight hill to stop sign I have to apply brakes very gently to avoid rear brakes locking up. Really feels like I am trying to brake with rear brakes only. Considering the Tundra brake upgrade (just bought 3rd gen TRD wheels off Craigslist and put new tires on.) If there is still brake pad there I am wondering if there is another issue and maybe I should put wheel back on and take in to shop? Is there anything else I should look at?

 

I'd be digging into the rear brakes also, have you pulled the drums to look inside?
If not do that next, your issue might not be in the front....

 

Looks to me like the pad in your photos is in there cock-eyed. This could be caused if one of the pistons in the caliper has bound up and is not working.

Here's what I have done in the past and what I would do now if I had the problem:

1. Replace the pads with Genuine Toyota parts
2. Replace the caliper rubber O-rings with whatever I could find online
3. Hone away any rust from the caliper bores
4. Replace the calipers with decent online parts if they look iffy
5. Replace the rotors if there were any heat spots on them or if they appeared warped in any way.

Then and only then would I take a look at the back brakes.

 

Thank you. Going to take to Toyota tomorrow

 

Toyota checked them out. Pads still good in front and near new in back. They cleaned them up and adjusted them and they seem to work better. Still considering the Tundra upgrade because they still don't seem to have much stopping force. Thanks for all the advice.