Help with replacing brakes (I dont know much)

Hey Guys Im about to hit 65,000 miles on my 2007 prerunner. Im pretty sure that I dont want to take it to the stealship to have them done. This is my first car that Ive owned, Im right out of college. I want to have some more stopping power. I dont know what are good brands for brakes. Are the pads the most important and what should I look for in pads. I was thinking about taking your guys advice then going to a friend of the fam and having him doing the install. What do you guys think and how do you think I should go about it. I know I dont know anything about it so all the advice will help me thank you guys.

 

Hawk pads, Powerslot rotors, and SS brake lines. I've used that combo in the past on other vehicles and I will be switching to that for my truck eventually. I understand SP Performance rotors, sold at the site below, are also pretty good.

www.raceshopper.com

 

Which Hawk pads do you suggest? I've had troubles in the past with lots of dusting, noisy and quick wearing pads and want to avoid a repeat of that if I can.

Also: do you do much (if any) off road excursions? I read that dirt/mud can build up in the slots of slotted rotors and lead to rapid wear of pads. Have you had any such problems if you do?

 

OEM pads and rotors are excellent quality, you would probably benefit from new pads and a flush more than aftermarket parts. As well, I don't think that you should be working on the most important critical safety component on your truck if you are not mechanically able. If you want more stopping power, tires are the limiting factor in braking on these trucks. As for slotted rotors, those are good for a street truck, but again, unless you are driving your truck like a sports car, fade should not be an issue.
Changing away from stock parts does affect brake porportioning, VSC effectiveness, and ABS operation.

 

Agreed, unless you have a friend who has done it before and can guide you in the right direction I'd let a trusted shop handle it. There's too much at risk if something gets messed up and it's not too expensive to have a shop do it anyway.

 

Agreed

 

Thanks guys for the help, Im definitely not doing the work my self. I just wanted a little advice. Anyone know how much I can look to spend of brake pads

 

around 60 bucks for a premium set of pads

 

x2

Stick with Toyota parts.

Do not buy the Autozone or Checker/Shucks store brand brake pads. They do not last at all. I know you didn't say you were going to use them, I just know that I did on my 89 4runner and they only lasted for 12 months 15,000mi. That is my suggestion.

 

If you don't have at least some mechanical experience, learning by working on brakes probably isn't the best idea. I know whereof I speak on this matter. If you want to learn, best is to talk the mechanic into letting you watch, maybe point stuff out and answer questions, offer him something extra because you will be in his way.