1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

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

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by QuickdrawKid, Jul 7, 2025 at 12:08 PM.

  1. Jul 7, 2025 at 12:08 PM
    #1
    QuickdrawKid

    QuickdrawKid [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Monday
    Member:
    #473888
    Messages:
    4
    Vehicle:
    1999 Tacoma 2WD 5spd
    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.
     
  2. Jul 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM
    #2
    Glamisman

    Glamisman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2016
    Member:
    #200436
    Messages:
    4,887
    Gender:
    Male
    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?
     
    wilcam47 likes this.
  3. Jul 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
    #3
    QuickdrawKid

    QuickdrawKid [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Monday
    Member:
    #473888
    Messages:
    4
    Vehicle:
    1999 Tacoma 2WD 5spd
    Usually drive 30 miles on Fridays. Occasionally take it to date night.
     
    wilcam47 likes this.
  4. Jul 7, 2025 at 12:22 PM
    #4
    ace_10

    ace_10 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2019
    Member:
    #295584
    Messages:
    1,368
    Rural NoVA
    Vehicle:
    1st Gen, Best Gen X2
    Are you in the rust belt?
     
    wilcam47 likes this.
  5. Jul 7, 2025 at 12:24 PM
    #5
    Woodcutter

    Woodcutter Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2013
    Member:
    #117614
    Messages:
    119
    Gender:
    Male
    Missouri
    Vehicle:
    3.4L V6 96 Taco 4 x 4 SR5
    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.
     
    wilcam47 likes this.
  6. Jul 7, 2025 at 12:27 PM
    #6
    Glamisman

    Glamisman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2016
    Member:
    #200436
    Messages:
    4,887
    Gender:
    Male
    ^^^ 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.
     
  7. Jul 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
    #7
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2010
    Member:
    #45273
    Messages:
    36,000
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    Garner, NC/Boone, NC
    Vehicle:
    '06 SR5 Off Road
    ARB Front Bumper, Projector Headlights w/Slimcubby 4300K HID's, Oznium LED's, LED taillights, DIY Washable Cabin Moose Filter, Sockmonkey SR5 Off Road, Aux Audio plug, OME 886x, OME Nitrochargers, Wheelers 3 Leaf Progressive AAL, ImMrYo Rear-View Mirror Lift Bracket, Dodge D-Rings
    "Referred Shop won't work on "classics""

    Sounds like you dodged a bullet..
     
  8. Jul 7, 2025 at 12:58 PM
    #8
    wilcam47

    wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2016
    Member:
    #176243
    Messages:
    54,673
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Bourbon state
    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.
     
  9. Jul 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
    #9
    QuickdrawKid

    QuickdrawKid [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Monday
    Member:
    #473888
    Messages:
    4
    Vehicle:
    1999 Tacoma 2WD 5spd
    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?
     
    wilcam47 likes this.
  10. Jul 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
    #10
    wilcam47

    wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2016
    Member:
    #176243
    Messages:
    54,673
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Bourbon state
    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
     
  11. Jul 7, 2025 at 1:51 PM
    #11
    b_r_o

    b_r_o Gnar doggy

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2016
    Member:
    #202672
    Messages:
    14,421
    First Name:
    Alex
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2015 DCLB
    Take the wheels and drums off and look at the brakes
     
  12. Jul 7, 2025 at 1:57 PM
    #12
    Andy01DblCabTacoma

    Andy01DblCabTacoma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2021
    Member:
    #359086
    Messages:
    3,958
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andy
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    01 Double Cab v6 4x4 TRD
    F: Kings SPC, R: 5100s+J59s. Custom armor.
    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.
     
    QuickdrawKid[OP] and wilcam47 like this.
  13. Jul 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM
    #13
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2010
    Member:
    #45273
    Messages:
    36,000
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    Garner, NC/Boone, NC
    Vehicle:
    '06 SR5 Off Road
    ARB Front Bumper, Projector Headlights w/Slimcubby 4300K HID's, Oznium LED's, LED taillights, DIY Washable Cabin Moose Filter, Sockmonkey SR5 Off Road, Aux Audio plug, OME 886x, OME Nitrochargers, Wheelers 3 Leaf Progressive AAL, ImMrYo Rear-View Mirror Lift Bracket, Dodge D-Rings
  14. Jul 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM
    #14
    QuickdrawKid

    QuickdrawKid [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Monday
    Member:
    #473888
    Messages:
    4
    Vehicle:
    1999 Tacoma 2WD 5spd
    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.
     
    wilcam47 likes this.
  15. Jul 7, 2025 at 6:25 PM
    #15
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2010
    Member:
    #45273
    Messages:
    36,000
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    Garner, NC/Boone, NC
    Vehicle:
    '06 SR5 Off Road
    ARB Front Bumper, Projector Headlights w/Slimcubby 4300K HID's, Oznium LED's, LED taillights, DIY Washable Cabin Moose Filter, Sockmonkey SR5 Off Road, Aux Audio plug, OME 886x, OME Nitrochargers, Wheelers 3 Leaf Progressive AAL, ImMrYo Rear-View Mirror Lift Bracket, Dodge D-Rings
    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.
     
    Andy01DblCabTacoma and wilcam47 like this.
  16. Jul 7, 2025 at 7:29 PM
    #16
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2023
    Member:
    #429578
    Messages:
    3,376
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Sugar Land TX
    Vehicle:
    1996 Taco 2.4L 2wd Automatic
    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    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
     
    Moonrman, wilcam47 and Toyko Joe like this.
  17. Jul 8, 2025 at 8:15 AM
    #17
    skeezix

    skeezix Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2010
    Member:
    #45512
    Messages:
    2,323
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    1998 Limited
    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 :hattip:
     
    ControlCar and Sandman614 like this.
  18. Jul 8, 2025 at 8:35 AM
    #18
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2010
    Member:
    #45273
    Messages:
    36,000
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    Garner, NC/Boone, NC
    Vehicle:
    '06 SR5 Off Road
    ARB Front Bumper, Projector Headlights w/Slimcubby 4300K HID's, Oznium LED's, LED taillights, DIY Washable Cabin Moose Filter, Sockmonkey SR5 Off Road, Aux Audio plug, OME 886x, OME Nitrochargers, Wheelers 3 Leaf Progressive AAL, ImMrYo Rear-View Mirror Lift Bracket, Dodge D-Rings
    Timmy is the man for 1st gen Tacoma 3rd gen 4runner content!
     
  19. Jul 8, 2025 at 8:44 AM
    #19
    Andy01DblCabTacoma

    Andy01DblCabTacoma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2021
    Member:
    #359086
    Messages:
    3,958
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andy
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    01 Double Cab v6 4x4 TRD
    F: Kings SPC, R: 5100s+J59s. Custom armor.
    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:
    upload_2025-7-8_8-42-2.png

    upload_2025-7-8_8-43-13.png

    6-lug:
    upload_2025-7-8_8-42-36.png

    upload_2025-7-8_8-43-54.png
     
    wilcam47 likes this.
  20. Jul 8, 2025 at 4:01 PM
    #20
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2023
    Member:
    #429578
    Messages:
    3,376
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Sugar Land TX
    Vehicle:
    1996 Taco 2.4L 2wd Automatic
    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    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)
     
    wilcam47 likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top