Tundra Brakes on '03 Tacoma

If you've bled everything thoroughly (and a few times), but still feel like you have soft brakes, here are the things I generally recommend checking (in this order):

*** The rear brake shoes are not properly adjusted. These require brake fluid from the system as well, so if the cylinders there need to push further than "the right amount," they are sucking up brake fluid that should be going to the calipers in the front. The rear shoes are *supposed* to adjust automatically with the parking brake, but a lot of times they get gunked up and don't adjust as they should. You can learn how to clean them (so the parking brake adjustment will work), and adjust them manually, here (note: you don't have to replace them, but the write-up covers that as well): https://adventuretaco.com/guide/step-by-step-tacoma-rear-drum-brake-shoe-replacement-also-4runner/

*** Try to recall if too much brake fluid leaked out when doing the upgrade. This is usually noticeable when the brake fluid reservoir is empty at some point in the process. The problem isn't the empty reservoir, it's that now there is air in the MC and - if you have it - the ABS control module. Bleeding both of these components is *very* difficult for the typical at-homer, so the only real solution if this happens is to take it to Toyota, where they have special actuators that cycle these components during bleeding, to get the air out.


Finally, it's worth noting is that people tend to think that installing the TBU will result in a firmer pedal or identical to stock pedal travel because the "bigger brakes will grab more quickly." That's simply not the case - you're changing part of the system, so things in the rest of the system will change a bit. In the case of larger calipers, you do need to move a bit more fluid, so you might have to push the pedal a fraction of an inch further. That's totally fine and the stock MC is up to the task; you can still easily lock everything up. The point of the Tundra brakes is really the larger rotors - to improve heat absorption/dissipation and prevent warpage - not more braking power or less pedal travel.

 

I feel so dumb. I got under my truck and adjusted the BPV relocation bracket today….brake petal feel is instantly better.