This is for those of you who have wondered if you could do the overly complicated brake upgrade in the Toyota TSB BR004-02. The answer is yes, anyone with simple mechanical skills can do it and it can be done in about one hour or so and much cheaper then you have been told.
The problems:
1. If you buy all the parts listed in the TBS from Toyota you will pay out well over $1000.00. 2. The bulletin overly complicates the install, as it require that you replace the two backing plates. Then makes it worse by requiring the hub and bearing be removed to do this.
This is simply unreasonable and unnecessary.
How to save money and make it simple:
1. I researched this and found that replacing the backing plates is completely unnecessary The new caliper are only slightly larger and require just a little trimming of the backing plates to fit. All you need is a tin snips and a silver marker. This make it a simple swap.
2. Remanufactured calipers are now becoming available for the Tundra. Sure you will most likely have to pay the core charge but if this save haft the price of a new unit then it's still a great deal. Make sure when you go looking that you ask for the larger or upgraded calipers, otherwise you might get the same ones you have now.
What's needed and were to get it:
I have been searching for a good source of a quality remanufactured caliper for this swap. I know you can find some sources on the net. This is fine, but I discover that a friend of mine, Mac, who runs Imported Parts Warehouse right here in the Cincinnati area had the things in stock. (IPW's # 513- 874-9881) Through Mac, I bought Semi-loaded caliper which come with pins and anti-rattle clips. He furnished top quality PBR ceramic pads and Brembo rotors. My research in to this still left me with the need of a pad shim kit, caliper bolts and brake lines which would need to come from Toyota.
Bottom line, I save well over haft of what I would pay buying all the parts from Toyota. Now this is more affordable!
10 steps to get er done :
1. Jack up the front of your truck and set it on jack stands. Remove the front wheels.
2. Remove the brake line between the caliper and brake hose. (10 mm brake line wrench)
3. Remove the two bolts behind the caliper with a 17 mm wrench or socket. Remove the caliper assembly.
4. Slide the rotor off the hub. This might require some force, like beating it off with a hammer in this case your definitely replacing it.
5. Set the new caliper up against the backing plate, lining it up with the mounting bolt holes. Outline around the caliper, top and bottom with silver marker. You'll see that only about a haft inch needs to be trimmed on each side. Trim it back with a tin snips and then paint the bare edge with black paint.
6. Coat the hub lightly with silicone brake grease. This will prevent the rotor from rusting in place. Install the rotor. (Use a few lug nut to hold it in place)
7. Install the caliper using the new bolts. You must use new bolts as the old ones are longer and could touch the rotor. Make sure your bleeder screw is at the top!
8. Install the new pads, shims and hardware just as was on the old caliper.
9. Bleed the brakes and your done. Oh repeat on the other side! Now your done
10. Be sure to torque the wheels to prevent a possible rotor warpage.
How It Turned out:
I never like the "feel" of the brakes on this truck and acutely I was getting used to it. But after having to turn the rotors twice to eliminate a bad shake during off highway stops, I new this would need to be done. Now after a few days of driving it with the bigger brake calipers I can say the pedal feel is a lot better. We have yet to see if the reoccurring brake shake is gone for good.
Other things you might need to know:
Parts Sources Used in this swap
Imported Parts Warehouse 9321-A SewardRd. Fairfield Ohio, 513-874-9881,
Mac@macsparts.com
Brembo Rotors IPW part #0832821
PBR Ceramic pads IPW part #105.09760
Semi-Loader Calipers RH IPW part #141.44231 LH IPW part #141.44232
Local Toyota Dealer
Brake Line Toyota part #473150C020
Brake Line Toyota part #473180C020
Bolts 4 needed Toyota part #9008010298
Shim Kits Toyota part #0494535080
Torques: Brake caliper bolts 90 Lb-ft
Brake line nuts 11Lb-ft
Wheels lug nuts 83 lb.ft
Tools needed: 17mm socket and ratchet, 10mm line wrench, tin snips or an abrasive cut-off wheel, Sharpie (Metalic Silver works best)
Other matirials: Black spray paint, Silicone brake grease, brake fluid