Question 97 Forerunner brake repairs etc.

[edc]

I am new to the forums and this is my first posting.

I noticed a slight pull to the left while braking. I took my 97 Forerunner SR5 V6 to one of our local Brake and Muffler shops. The vehicle has 60,000 miles with very little off roading time.

Here is what they found:

Upon inspection here is what they found:

1: front rotors warped, pads & rotors to be replaced - cost - $486.24 Canadian

2: rear left seal weeping and contaiminated shoes - they suggested to replace the seals, bearings for both wheels and turn drums and replace shoes - cost - $1044.81 cdn

3: they also suggested that the rear shocks probabily caused the failure of the rear seal and I should replace the pair - cost - $ 350.49 cdn

Parts and Labour breakdown:

REAR :On their estimates they have charges for bearings at $ 206 cdn each including tax (12%)

seals inner and outer - $36 tax in

rear shoes $ 106 pr tax in

brake shoe hardware - $25

Labour for replacing seals, bearings and brakes including turn drums - 4 hours @ $92/ hr

Total - $1044 including tax

REAR SHOCKS

Sensa-Trac L Cost - $119 pr and 1 hr labour @ $92

Total including tax $350

FRONT BRAKES

Ceramic pads - $147 inc tax

Rotors - (off shore) - $63 inc tax

Labour - 2 hours @ $92

Total: $486 incl tax.


My questions are:

Are these quotations reasonable?

Can I use another bearing in the rear other than Toyota's?

Can I use Raybestos Ceramic pads instead of Toyota's and will they wear out my rotors faster than the Toyota rotors?

Is it normal that the shocks cause rear wheel seal damage and would I have to replace them at 60,000 miles?

What are the disadvantages of using off-shore front rotors versus the Toyota brand?

Please advise. Thank you.

[eric-the-red]

I do nearly all my own work so I don't know if the labour charges are normal or not. As for the front brakes I would get some pads from the dealer, you probably won't find much better braking with the ceramic ones and they tend to be noisy and dusty. Worn and leaking rear axle seals are fairly common on 4Runners, and yes you'll have to replace the brake shoes. I don't know if worn rear shocks have much to do with it though. If only one is leaking you could always just replace that one.

Before you spend that much money definitely get a couple of more estimates.

[kanaduh]

EDC,

If you have any mechanical ability at all, I'd do the front brakes yourself. If the brakes are not shaking when you brake, your rotors may not be warped. Change the pads first, then see what happens. Be sure to clean and lube the pins that hold the pads in place. There are plenty of write ups here that would walk you through it. That'll save you a bunch. You can also see about having the rotors resurfaced if they are bad. Ceramic pads are definitely the way to go. Then just have someone replace the seal and rear pads. I'd suggest doing the rear shocks last, 60K isn't much wear on a set of shocks, so they may not even be bad. you could always do them yourself too. Definitely go to the Brake Forum, there is a lot of assistance there. Good luck.

[jeratbp]

this is good info, though I'm in the states. My '97 4Runner has 160k miles and it does shake when braking. I'm sure the front pads and rotors need to be replaced.