Picking Brake Pads, Rotors, and a Caliper

I have a 2003 Toyota Tacoma 3.4l v6 extended cab 4WD. I’m a little overwhelmed with all the options but am looking for OEM rotors, brake pads, and a caliper from the front wheels because OEM have lasted a long time in the past and I don't want to worry about mixing and matching. Does anyone know the part numbers for these or where I would find the part numbers?


I looked at these parts on Rock Auto but there are multiple parts that are listed at OEM. Looks like installing new rotors and pads isn't bad, how is doing a caliper? Shop said I only need one but haven’t seen many tutorials about replacing them.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...l+v6,1418453,brake+&+wheel+hub,brake+pad,1684

 

As of Late I have been either getting Napa Ultra Premium Brake parts or Buying from my Dealer.

So much poor quality out there as of late

 

Factory, Napa pads, or EBC brakes. all i buy. as for the part numbers on the pads just call a dealer up and ask for it.. easiest way

 

Centric also makes high quality pads, rotors and reman calipers. I use the ceramic 105 series pads and they make zero noise and not much dust.

 

Centric is part of same company with Brembo and made in same factories or something. I've heard nothing but good about their products. I did Akebono pads, just cause they make a lot of the Yota OEM brake pads for Toyota. And Brembo blanks I did. I would do the rotors as well and expect similar to oem quality.... All the other stuff and brands, be leery

 

Always replace both calipers not just one. I would power bleed/flush all the brake lines adding new fluid also before new/rebuilt calipers. Lots of choices out there and most local big brands have a 2 year rotor warranty. I used "autoanything.com" to order my last set. Many options there. I tow a boat so put powerstop drilled/slotted rotors with the z32 pads which helped my stopping distance and less fade.
2003 so look at new flex lines at least up front as yours must be all cracked and braided is a cheap upgrade.

 

I've heard this for rotors and pads before, but never calipers. Why would you need to do both versus replacing one?

 

if you had 1 leaking caliper odds are very high the other is next so be proactive - easier in the long run plus this was a 2003 so the brake fluid is probably original and full of crap - especially if the calipers have been pushed back in for a prior brake job and the seals not sprayed down with brake cleaner and I use a toothbrush too to get that crud off before pushing the piston back in.

 

I got Brembo coated rotors off Amazon. Wouldve gone centric, but the top hats and outsides of the rotors are powdercoated to prevent rust. Paired with Akebono ceramic pads. Im finding that I liked my OEM pads better cause less dust, but they have the same stopping power. Guess Ill go back to those for next time. I also got a hardware kit off Amazon, ACDelco makes it. Stainless pins and clips/springs. And some permatex caliper grease from Napa. No squeaks so far.

 

Do you *need* to? Not always, it depends on why you're replacing the caliper.

But it's really the same reason you replace both sets of pads, rotors, and even headlights for that matter. They all see the exact same wear and tear, so in all likelihood the other isn't far behind.

 

I would replace both because of the sole fact that it would bug the snot out of me knowing one was new and the other wasnt lol. OP, get 2 eclipse calipers from napa. They seem pretty popular as far as remans go.

 

In order to remove/replace the rotor, you have to remove the caliper.

 

Then bleed them...

 

If your going through the effort of changing the caliper just do a tundra brake upgrade. It will make a world if difference in stopping power and brake life. It's also a very easy upgrade

 

I have trouble mulling this one over though. That requires replacing everything with the front brakes, which looks like it's around . I suppose it depends on if it's a budget build or not. You can get napa calipers for ~$65 each.

 

I've read a lot on the Tundra brake upgrade, and will be doing that once the front pads wear out. Wouldn't a slotted / drilled rotor make the Tundra upgrade even better?

 

Even budget calipers and rotors are an upgrade over stock tacoma brakes.

I got used calipers, 50-75 dollar rotors and good quality pads.

 

Slotted and drilled rotors need to be really good quality, and will increase brake wear.

I run drilled on my bmw and they seem to stay consistent in dirt and wet conditions. But the tacoma with the tundra brakes solid rotors and good pads is more than enough to lock up front brakes at upwards of 70 mph

 

No need for them really unless your in a sports car of sorts. Solid rotors are plenty fine for these trucks.

 

I'm running Duramax Gold pads and rotors from Autozone. Ive got them on my Tacoma and my Highlander, no issues with either. When I put them on my Taco I was shocked at how much better it stopped, but I can't say if that's because the old rotors were trashed or if it's any better than factory. Long story short, I think they're quality brakes at a reasonable price.