brakes

I have seen a lot of people on here complain about their brakes. Some that say theirs work well. I have a 2008 sport, and the brakes suck. Is there anything I can do to improve them? I put new rotors and pads on front, adjusted back , replaced fluid . They did seem to have some air in back when bleeding. Didn't know if there was some trick, or mod to help brake performance? U guys have been great so far on this site , a lot of info on here. hopefully someone has a solution.

 

I agree, they're soft and spongy. Not good feedback at all.

There are better pad options out there. A lot of people recommend Hawk, but I've had bad luck with them consistently on two separate vehicles. The backing plates have failed on every set. The pads I ran on my BMW were Performance Friction Z compounds and those were excellent, but I don't know their availability for Tacoma's. TRD also offers a performance pad, but I haven't really researched them or know who actually makes the pads for TRD.

Outside of running a better pad, you can consider stainless lines. I installed them on my BMW and honestly noticed improved feel in the pedal. It was much firmer and under hard breaking conditions was quicker to engage ABS.

How that translates on a Tacoma versus a BMW I don't know first hand, but when I get enough miles to change brake fluid I plan on adding some to my truck.

 

I think the difference is between the Normal Vacuum Assist or the Hydraulic assist.

Vacuum Assist works fine, Hydraulic Assist is the suck.

 

So I guess I have the hydraulic one. No way to upgrade?

 

I would change out for stainless braided lines in a heart beat. I put them on most of my cars. I say most because the Focus does not warrant that attention. When I took the factory rubber hoses off and put braided lines front and rear the pedal on my 09 firmed up quite a bit. I do have vac assist also. Make sure you are bleeding the brakes with the correct procedure so the electric motor is running while you are doing it. This will ensure you get all of the air out.
I am not sure on the switching of assist devices. I'm sure you would be changing hard brake lines as I would think they are not the same path as a master cylinder with a vac booster. I think that is more trouble than it would be worth to you.
You could always put larger calipers and slotted/ drilled rotors on as well. I have seen a rear disc conversion with ford calipers and rotors. I'd have to find that again. I think it was in the $700 range for parts.

 

Since you have the TRD Sport you have vacuum assist. Same as 90% of cars and light trucks on the road (hyrdrualic assist is common on diesel vehicles AFAIK) I test drove a sport and recall the pedal feeling a bit soft but not the worse Ive ever driven.

What is bothering you - feel or the ability to actually stop the truck?


If you are standing on the brakes and the truck wont stop it could be a lot of things. Bleeding hte lines again, and as mentioned check to glazed pads and maybe try a different compound.

OTOH, if can step on the pedal hard and get the ABS to activate its not the friction of the pads that's the issue.

If you concern is feel - Some brake systems feel soft by nature even when all the air is bled out. My Honda Pilot is like this and feels even softer than a Tacoma. You can try installing stainless lines as mentioned above to improve feel. If you do make sure to get good quality lines with a clear plastic sheathe over the braid - if not dirt gets works into the mesh and can damage the teflon core.


Note that the TRD Offload is the only Tacoma wit the hydraulic assist. It uses the pressurized power steering system fluid for boost rather than vacuum. the pedal is very firm on the Offroad, I got used to it but early on found it a lot harder to modulate than the sport I test drove.

 

Where do I get the braided hose? And is there a brand that is recommended? Also someone mentioned making sure electric motor was on when bleeding. Pretty sure we had nothing on When bleeding. What I think I don't like about brakes is how far I have to push pedal before it starts to brake. Plus just like a little firmer pedal.

 

^ This, I find it hard to believe this never gets mentioned when debating Sport vs OR.

I test drove an SR5 and an OR, before buying my truck. The brakes were night and day between the two. Very happy with my OR brakes and the hydraulic assist. I almost rolled out into a 4 way intersection with the SR5 trying to come to a stop at a stop sign.

 

Totally wrong! Hydraulic Assist FTW!

 

I like the porterfield racing carbon kevlar pads myself, but you do have to bed them in properly to get the most out of them. I have an offroad and abs bypass mod. I can lock up 37's at freeway speeds no problemo, even before doing a disk conversion in the rear. With disks all around it will stop you faster than a clean sliding glass door.

 

love the brakes on my TRD off road, very good pedal feel and stop very well. i can lock all 4 tires up and leave 4 big black marks with very little effort.

 

I disagree... I have vacuum assist and they perform as well or better than any car/truck I have ever owned. I'm nearly 60 and have owned a lot of vehicles.

 

drilled n slotted rotors w/ ceramic pads..........way better than stock....I have them on all my vehicles ..Tacoma 4 runner and jeep wrangler search brakemotive on e-bay

 

A full flush of the brake system - not just bleeding - often does wonders for pedal feel.

 

This is not the truth at all. Some sports came with hydro assist with an electric motor to run the system, not the power steering. Offroad Tacoma has vac assist. This is just like the 4 Runners.

 

The manual lists "with VSC" (vehicle stability control)

And "without VSC" and makes no mention of sport/offroad.


http://www.customtacos.com/tech.old...6toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/04200510.pdf

http://www.customtacos.com/tech.old...6toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/04200710.pdf

My 2005 offroad has an electric motor to run the system.

 

I'm sure there is both on different models. I have not researched it in depth.

 

The brakes on my 2009 regular cab are good. Except for the ABS in some conditions. I've been looking through the threads for the best way to put in a switch to disable it when desired.

 

Sport or Offroad?

 

Get back to fundamentals on brakes.

You might change your brakes fluid to a high quality fluid insuring they are bled properly and no air remains in the line.

But if you desire better performance than stock I would do this before changing the brake fluid.

Replace your front rotors with cross drilled/slotted rotors and install a quality brakes pad. Then replace your factory brakes lines with stainless steel braided lines, front and back. Then do the brake fluid replacement.
You should notice quite an improvement in performancce and pedal feel.

Otherwise, you could always install bigger rotors and better calipers for even better performance.

Good Luck