How To: Early Tundra Brake Upgrade

[MEvang]

This has been a long time comming but here it is. Detailed instructions on how to do the early Tundra brake upgrade and save money.
Mike

[Picasso]

Wow! Excellent write up that a lot of people will benefit from. Looks like you put a lot of work into that too.


Paul

[tundraboy27909]

Nice and just in time (I am slowly assembling all of the parts to do this)!

[DaveS]

Very nice... The TSB was performed on mine years ago but there's still tons of useful info in your document. Thanks!

[DMT]

If this is just a TSB then the dealer does not have to replace the brakes? Question is my buddy who bought a 2001 had a brake vibration and the dealer could never find it/repair it so it was left as is for years. There is no way he can go back and have this fixed by the dealer now is there? I'm sure he has the paperwork showing he brough the truck in to no avail.

[MEvang]

The TSB are there to help assist a dealer in repairing your problems. Unlike like a recall where a certain part or repair must be done for safety's sake a TSB usually explains a known fix for a common problem.
Toyota is obligated to repair the this brake issue for 3 year or 36000 miles. If your buddy's problems occurred in this time/milage frame and the upgrade was never performed he could have a case to go back to Toyota and pressure them to repair it.
Some on this forum have had the dealer do this repair way out of warranty. Maybe one of them will see this and can explain how they pulled this off.
Mike

[jgw]

Got a question, I did this upgrade a month ago with Raybestos Rotors, Calipers, Pads. Raybestos said i didn't need shims. Should I have purchased some shims from toyota?

[MEvang]

I would use the Toyota shims.
Mike

[jgw]

Mike,

Thanks, I'll go purchase the Shims and install.

jim

[maxtorqe]

Does the lug nut torque very with the type of wheel (alloy vs. std. steel)? I have the 17" alloy rims. In the past on other vehicles that I have owned, I have noticed that their service manuals would state different torque specs for steel vs. allow wheels.

[MEvang]

I would use the factory torque unless otherwise stated by the wheel manufacture. The torque value has more to do with the stretch on the studs then wheel itself.
Mike

[jnaeve]

I have a couple questions...
(1) I have a 2005 4x4 D-Cab that I want to swap out the rear drums for disk. Is there any guidance available for doing this?
(2) I'm currently using 1" spacers on my wheels and hope to at some point soon, buy new wheels with the appropriate offset. What obstacles should I be considering before I do the above in order to make the wheel buying process smoother?

Thanks!

[MEvang]

My opinion is for the cost involved and the problems this can create there is simply few advantages to doing this. If your still interested, look through the brake forum or do a search there are many threads on this. Feel free to chime in on one if you have more questions.
Mike

[kevinp]

I am currently getting ready to update a 2002 Tundra brake system. I get the caliper update. Should be quick fix there. I am interested in any additional updates that would be beneficial. I do not want to throw money at it. I want to do updates that will be cost effective and really help solve the problem. Does anyone know about a possible vacuum booster interchange? How about rear wheel cylinders? I would appreciate any professional or tried and true input. Thanks guys!!

[MEvang]

The only other brake upgrade authorized but the manufacture is a heavier rear brake drum. Toyota brake drums 42431-34021 have more mass and are less resistance to warping then the early drums.
Mike