Brake Issue, Referred Shop won't work on "classics"

My 99 2WD manual has started making a scraping noise seemingly from all four brakes at once. The rears are quiet when the brake is not depressed. The fronts continue to scrape for a bit afterwards. Still stopping fine. Wheels aren't loose.

The shop my friend referred me to refused to service the vehicle because it's too old (guess his 01 is grandfathered in?). I'm handy enough, so I figure I'll try myself.

Anyone know what I should look for? Brake fluid looks ok. Tried giving the brakes a good few stomps, but no change. Truck has ≈56k miles (not a typo), mix of city and highway. Driven very easy, never towed anything. Everything brake-wise is original.

Appreciate any pointers.

 

This is a relativley easy job if you have the tools. Is she you daily driver or can she sit for a day or two while she is looked at?

 

Usually drive 30 miles on Fridays. Occasionally take it to date night.

 

Are you in the rust belt?

 

Maybe your local car parts place: NAPA,AutoZone, O’Reilly’s could suggest a shop? Not a phone call, a stop by, purchase something and ask the clerk.

 

^^^ he beat me to it. Gonna need floor jack, jack stands breaker bar and basic hand tools for the front. The rear drums will either come right off or be a problem, hit the flat part where the axle hub pokes through with a hammer to loosen and rust and see if they loosen and come off. If they do great but at that mileage I will bet that the rear shoes are still almnosrt brand new, Tacaoma rear shoes last forever.

 

"Referred Shop won't work on "classics""

Sounds like you dodged a bullet..

 

yup!
Break jobs are easy money...and a basic job! They could get it done in no time with lift and power tools. If they are unwilling to do brakes they are useless.

 

Not in the rust belt.

Tools are no issue. I usually do most of my own maintenance, I'm just not experienced enough to be sure what the actual issue is here. Fairly flat where I'm from, never actually had to do brakes on my previous vehicles.

I agree that refusal of a brake job is strange. Told my referee the story immediately after.

So what is the suggestion?

 

Look at the front rotors, do they look flat? Any grooves in them? Prob pads worn and grinding on rotors.

If the rotors are flat you might be able to get away with just replacing pads and lube guide pins. If rear is drums you will have to take off the drum to evaluate condiition and wear

 

Take the wheels and drums off and look at the brakes

 

First off- do you have a 5 lug or 6 lug truck? Either way, brake jobs are pretty simple. I suggest doing the front first and then looking at the rear later. Couple of reasons- mainly disc brakes are really easy even when you change out the rotor. The rear drums aren't hard, but you for sure need a little more time the first time you do them. There are just more parts, springs, etc.. that need you need to touch. I would highly suggest watching a few you tube videos before you start, should make it very easy.

For the front brakes, any good quality rotor is fine. I've been running Akebono 436 pads (assuming you have a 6 lug truck, that won't apply to a 5 lug). They aren't directly factory in the time of the 1st gen trucks, but they are a current supplier for Toyota.

Once you do the front and get comfortable with them. Then start looking at the rear brakes. Napa drums and shoes are fine. There is some inconsistency in aftermarket drums when it comes to being round and balanced. Which is kinda a reason to do this as two jobs. If the front is good, then you tackle the rear brakes, and something vibrates afterwards, you're 50% ahead of knowing where to look. I highly suggest getting or renting the drum brake tools for the springs. I did my first drum brake job without them, and it flat out sucked, and it took me forever to get the springs back in place.

I would also change your brake fluid via bleeding all the old fluid out. But again, I'd do that after the rears just so you know the brake work was good.

 

Take the wheels off and look at the brake pads, do you have any pad lining left? *random pic from the internet



For the drums, they aren't magic or scary... Take the drums off and take pictures so you have some reference. Here's reference pics I took on my 2nd gen, but not much has changed in the last 100 years https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-reference-not-a-white-glove-service.547341/

 

5 lug truck.

Good advice thanks. I'll check out the front first.
My concern was that all four started at the same time, and didn't know if that was indicative of a different problem.

 

That's unusual but maybe just hard to pinpoint the sound. Maybe before you take the wheels off while it's jacked up spin the wheels, then have someone press the brakes lightly and spin them again.

 

Refusal to do a brake job…..NOT in rust belt?
Bc a classic vehicle?
WTF?

incredible.
I’m speechless

come to my house will do for a 12pack and good conversations

 

Be sure to check Timmy the Toolman's excellent video on replacing rear brake shoes. I think he also has one showing how to replace the front brake pads too.
I found that the most difficult part in replacing the shoes was getting the retract spring off and back on again. But then again, I'm pushin' 82 years old

 

Timmy is the man for 1st gen Tacoma 3rd gen 4runner content!

 

He is indeed, but I don't think he has much in the way of 5 lug content. So OP should just be aware that most of the guides, videos, etc... and even the parts store folks are gonna have more resources for 6 lug trucks.

5 lug:




6-lug:

 

Quickdraw…..
If you do the work
Just do front or just rear if your 1st time
Typically fronts much more easier than rear drums
Now if u got some buddies helping, I would try to knock out all 4 corners in a day

this $15 drum tool worth its weight in gold
(I hate drum brakes)