brake problems

So iv been having some problems.

First when I am going down a long hill my brakes are always firm.. they seem to be getting way to hot..I am on my 3rd set of rotors and pads in 2 years they keep warping

I have been thinking of cross drilled rotors..will they help cool?

Back to the hill thing i don't have stopping power. I am affraid of getting behind someone and them stopping all of a sudden what can I do...

When on switch back and going down hill I put my foot on the brake and it has very minimum effect on stopping brakes won't lock up and abs won't kick in..

Any ideas?

 

Steel brake lines, new brake fluid, all new pads and rotors

 

Hmmm. Sounds like maybe something wrong with the abs, booster or maybe vacuum. Strange that your going through brakes so often. Could be something simple like air in the lines.

 

Iv done a full flush and 're bleed no air in the system. I don't want to go throwing a new set of rotors on and be back to square one in another 6 months.

But maybe it is that they are heating up amd getting a glaze on them?

Should I try a slotted and cross drilled rotor?

 

Is that vacuum line to the booster in good shape and sealing well?

Slotted and drilled rotors have less mass and won't soak up as much heat. But thru will cool better. I'd stay with blanks. Make sure the rear is helping. Make sure nothing is seized in front

 

Sounds like maybe your calipers are starting to seize.

 

3rd set of pads and rotor's in 2 years?. wow!. I wouldn't buy cross drilled anything until you make sure that the braking system is right,,and it doesen't sound right at all with that record.

Vacuum booster operation needs to be checked. Sounds like it is non existent, or possibly you are having abs probs.

A blockage or restriction of some sort.

Getting it to stop,, or lack of,,is probably glazed rotors and shoes from standing on the pedal to stop.

 

I know this may sound stupid but do you clean the glaze off the rotors before you put them on (with brake cleaner or lacquer thinner)?

 

How fast are you driving? The brakes on the 1st Gen Tacoma are not very good in the first place. They do not last in heavy use, I replace pads and rotors every year. I would go through the whole brake system first, make sure rear brakes are adjusted properly. Also look into the Tundra brake conversion for the Tacoma.

 

People need to keep in mind that in bc canada nothing is flat lots and lots of hills...

How do I check to see if my vacuum booster is work in proper?

 

Colorado ain't very flat either I've only changed pads once in 100,000 miles.
I really think your calipers are seized. But I could be wrong... Hard pedal, and warped rotors tell me the calipers aren't releasing or compressing as they should.

 

Taking a wild guess here:

You look lifted. Did you get a BPV bracket to ensure the proper braking?

 

yes I did get one.

As for my vacuum booster I did the check as per the fsm and all is air tight.

 

2 questions I want to throw out here:
1.) Did you grease the Calipers when you did the Brake Job?
2.) Is your Gas Mileage crappy?

 

I get 14 mpg I have 33s .also cant remember if I greased

 

Then jack that front up and spin those tires. If they do not spin freely then the Calipers are toast.

 

They do spin free

 

Convert to 2005 Tundra brakes. Problem solved for under $300.

 

Vacuum booster is good,,check that off.

Those with ABS,,is there a fuse underhood?, because I don't have abs.

Do you haul alot of bed weight most of the time?, If so how much?.

 

Maybe 600lbs of camping gear every couple weeks. Otherwise its empty