DIY Front Brake Pad Change.

From here: http://www.customtacos.com/tech/files/05FSM/data/ileaf/06toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/0420011.pdf

Torque: 123 N*m (1,254 kgf*cm, 91 ft.*lbf)

 

thanks

 

cant believe it is brake time for me again. my fronts are getting grindy sounding..

Hawk pads worth the effort?

 

I like mine so far. Sorry no experience with anything else. I would think OEM is good as i got over 70k outta them. Some getting more depending on driving style.

 

I just did mine today. Very easy, no reason to remove calipers however. ?I just used a c clamp to expand the caliper pistons before I removed the old pads.
It would be really easy to just expand them with a piece of wood to gently pry and push the pistons back.
On one side the pins were a bit tougher to wiggle out due to rust build up. I sanded them with emory cloth and greased them.
I caught them before the squealer was touching the rotors. They work smooth as kitten fur.
I am not going to tackle the rear breaks as to me it sounds much more complicated. I already got a quote.... $235.00!
At least I saved close to $100.00 putting in my pads, thanks!

 

How do you guys use a c-clamp to compress the pistons? Maybe I'm just missing it but I keep thinking that a c-clamp won't fit anywhere.

 

I also found another write up on a different forum where a guy used 1/4" nuts and bolts where the cotter pins are and tightened them evenly until the pistons were compressed. Is there any downside to doing it this way?
http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82692

 

I have a question after reading one of these posts. I replaced my pads and everything is working fine (around 70 miles since the pad change).
I did NOT put the two thin plates back in. The pads I bought had their own backing plate. I called the shop I bought them from and they assured me that my pads went in as is, without the thin pads form before. I suppose I cold have removed the pressed-on backing plate the pads have and used the thin OEM backing plates.
?????????????

 

I would say U R OK. I put the quiet red stuff on the back of the pads and never had a problem. I've been doing my own brakes for ever and never had a problem but I'm not a mechanic - don't even remember the proper names for stuff just know how 2 do it. I'm sure others will join in.

 

You should be fine... and that won't prevent the brakes from working properly. The pads on the back are 'anti-squeel' pads. They take up slack to prevent the pads from squealing.

You can add anti-squeal spray compound along with the pads or just wait until you have (or if) a squealing issue. Then, apply the anti-squeal.

Anti-squeal compound can be purchased in any automotive store. It comes in a variety of different bottles, tubes, sprays... I like the spray better myself. Never had to use it on my -7 tacoma, but have used it on other vehicles in the past.

 

quiet red stuff = 'anti-squeel' Thanks.

 

I just take off the caliper and put a screwdriver between the pads and wiggle it back and forth to pry the pads against each other and push them back. It destroys the pads but who cares, you are replacing them anyway. Much easier than dealing with a clamp or bolts. Never had an issue doing it this way on multiple cars.

 

I just looked at this. Haven't tried it but it looks like a good idea.

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82692

 

I just hit 85k on my truck, and it's time to replace the front pads. It's the first time any brake work has been done.

In the last several thousand miles, I've started to get the 'heat wobble' after hard braking, such as stop-and-go freeway traffic or mountain driving. The wobble quickly goes away though. Does that mean I need new rotors, or is the only way to tell if I need rotors to measure them with a caliper? I thought maybe getting new pads would lessen the heat/stress on the rotors and eliminate the wobble.

Assuming I need to replace the rotors, which after 85k miles and periodic brake wobble I guess I probably should, anyone have recommendations for rotors and pads to buy? I'm kind of on a tight budget right now, but I don't wanna skimp and be replacing this all again in a year.

I figure the OEM parts have lasted me this long, I might as well replace them with OEM parts. Any reason not to? What are the OEM parts and where can I buy them?

Thanks!

 

Hey, I like the OEM toyota parts also and use this site,http://www.oemtoyotascionparts.com you look up your year and model and get the prices, you could have your rotors turned and reuse them. I think the rotors from NAPA are pretty good, also online rock auto has some good parts. Hope that helps.

 

i get my rotors turned here locally
you okay doing it once or twice depending how deep they have bee scored

 

edit: nevermind, figured it out. nothin' to see here.

 

Been postponing a pad change for a couple weeks... procrastination has been a problem so far this summer with the nice sunny days.

But seriously are you kidding me?? Could toyota have made this any simpler? The only other brake jobs I've done previously had me taking the caliper off to get to the pads, and that's how this started... I kept grabbing the wrong size socket for the caliper bolts, then spent another 10 mins walking back and forth to the garage looking for a socket extension (and a drink... or two).

Then I jumped in here, and stared in confusion at the first post, trying to figure out what was really going on. Then I grabbed the laptop and went out to the truck to look while I read.

Then... the lightbulb turned on, and 10 mins later I was done. Seriously, there needs to be a photo in the first thread that shows a pair of these as the only tool needed (aside from those required to remove the tire):