Front Brake Job Complete - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

gnb · #1 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 03:08 PM

Just replaced the front rotors and brake pads on my 2002 Sequoia with 31.5K miles on the odometer. The original rotors were grooved and I was getting some sqealing (sp?) when coming to a stop. Just noise- no vibration, but it was annoying. The original pads actually had probably 30 percent life remaining.

I had enough metal on the rotors to have them turned - but I prefer not to have rotors messed with by guys at auto parts stores (no offense). So I ordered the Brembo rotors from Tirerack. They are , of course, perfect fits and the surface finish was nicely done. At $52 a piece, the brembo's are not expensive.

Used Toyota oem brake pads. Also used a lot of Volvo oem white silicone brake grease - this stuff is excellent and keeps the brakes very quiet. Use this stuff to grease up the pins as well.

Before starting the brake work I flushed the brake fluid with my Motive Products power bleeder and ATE Super Blue Racing Brake fluid. The Motive Products bleeder works like a champ.

Then on to the brake work - this is an easy DIY job as long as you have some experience and the right tools and a floor jack /jack stands. Have a torque wrench handy for the caliper bolts and the wheel lug nuts.

I estimate it took me 2 hours from start to finish- which included flushin/bleeding the brake system. BTW- fresh brake fluid is recommended to have done about every 2 years to ensure a moisture free brake system and long life of expensive abs related parts.

Now I have nice silent brakes again.

I have done a lot of work on my Volvo 850 - the Sequoia is a lot easier to work on IMHO.

DevinSixtySeven · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 03:28 PM

good to hear it went so well

. do the rotors you bought have threaded holes to push the rotor away from the hub if you need to remove them? i'm wishing right now mine did

, they make life a lot easier.

mustang67408 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnb

Volvo oem white silicone brake grease - this stuff is excellent and keeps the brakes very quiet. Use this stuff to grease up the pins as well.

Toyota also makes this WHITE SILICONE BRAKE GREASE. IT WORKS WONDERS. Part# 08887-80609
It works great on sway bar and rack bushings too!!!!

Mike Donofrio · #4 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang67408

Toyota also makes this WHITE SILICONE BRAKE GREASE. IT WORKS WONDERS. Part# 08887-80609
It works great on sway bar and rack bushings too!!!!

I use anti-seize lubricant--that also seemed to work well if you have it around...

mustang67408 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Donofrio

I use anti-seize lubricant--that also seemed to work well if you have it around...

Thats what I used to use

, until Toyota came out with the SILICON STUFF.
They both do work well. Toyota also includes small packets of anti-seize when you buy the shim kit.

Mike Donofrio · #6 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang67408

Thats what I used to use

, until Toyota came out with the SILICON STUFF.
They both do work well. Toyota also includes small packets of anti-seize when you buy the shim kit.

I threw away my shims when I did my first brake job. I called Toyota to get a shim kit (without pads) and they were around $45. As I understand it would save me alot of brake life. Did you buy shims all alone--did you get them from Toyota. I couldn't find any good aftrermarket ones and all the brakes sets I buy have only the stupid stick on ones...

gnb · #7 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang67408

Toyota also makes this WHITE SILICONE BRAKE GREASE. IT WORKS WONDERS. Part# 08887-80609
It works great on sway bar and rack bushings too!!!!

Thanks for the info on the Toyota Silicone Grease part number !!

How much does Toyota charge for a tube ? The Volvo stuff cost me about $13 a tube - but it's worth every penny because it is really good stuff.

I may pick up a tube of the Toyota stuff and try it out.

I cannot stand the red CRC stuff for brakes- it's so messy.

gnb · #8 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinSixtySeven

good to hear it went so well

. do the rotors you bought have threaded holes to push the rotor away from the hub if you need to remove them? i'm wishing right now mine did

, they make life a lot easier.

Honestly , I did not check. My oem rotors literally fell off once the calipers were removed. Getting the rotors off my Volvo 850 required a sledge hammer (no, not kidding). What I find that works well is to coat the hub (after cleaning it) with Mobil 1 silicone grease before installing new rotors. Since using that stuff no more stuck rotors.

gnb · #9 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Donofrio

I threw away my shims when I did my first brake job. I called Toyota to get a shim kit (without pads) and they were around $45. As I understand it would save me alot of brake life. Did you buy shims all alone--did you get them from Toyota. I couldn't find any good aftrermarket ones and all the brakes sets I buy have only the stupid stick on ones...

Hmmm..... I just reused the shims off my original pads without any problem. Why'd you throw them away - just a mistake?

Mike Donofrio · #10 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnb

Hmmm..... I just reused the shims off my original pads without any problem. Why'd you throw them away - just a mistake?

BIG mistake, they were a bit degraded somehwhat from rust and heat. The aftermarket shims suck.

mustang67408 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnb

Thanks for the info on the Toyota Silicone Grease part number !!
Your Welcome
How much does Toyota charge for a tube ? SIT DOWN, they get approx $35 a tube, but it lasts for many brake changes.You'll only ever need 1 tube. The Volvo stuff cost me about $13 a tube - but it's worth every penny because it is really good stuff.

I may pick up a tube of the Toyota stuff and try it out.

I cannot stand the red CRC stuff for brakes- it's so messy.

Get the Toyota stuff even tho its kinda expensive it really really works.

gnb · #12 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang67408

Get the Toyota stuff even tho its kinda expensive it really really works.

wow- and I thought Volvo part were expensive. Think I'll stick with the Volvo stuff. For nearly 1/3 the price , you might want to look into it as well.
I' ve have been using it for nearly 10 years on my Volvo and the brakes have always been silent.

gnb · #13 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Donofrio

BIG mistake, they were a bit degraded somehwhat from rust and heat. The aftermarket shims suck.

I just took some sandpaper and cleaned mine up real good and then greased them up - good to go.

$45 for shims is outlandish ! Aren't there any aftermarket alternatives you could go with ?

Mike Donofrio · #14 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnb

I just took some sandpaper and cleaned mine up real good and then greased them up - good to go.

$45 for shims is outlandish ! Aren't there any aftermarket alternatives you could go with ?

I shopped and shopped at all the local parts stores. Some brands don't even sell shims with their pads...A few manufacturers includes these cheap little shims that are basically a small alum. plate with sticky stuff on one side. Stick it on the pad, butter the back of it and it should keep the piston from freezing to the pad for a while.

I am due to go the brake shop this week for my annual resurfacing, so I may ask if they can get an aftermarket version--no luck yet.

(As an aside, I bought slotted drilled rotors from another TS member for a $100. I think they were just drilled Toyota rotors...anyway, long story short--the cooling fins have cracked necessitating another alternative. Lucky I kept my old OEM rotors for resurfacing. I hate our brakes.)

mustang67408 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Donofrio

I shopped and shopped at all the local parts stores. Some brands don't even sell shims with their pads...A few manufacturers includes these cheap little shims that are basically a small alum. plate with sticky stuff on one side. Stick it on the pad, butter the back of it and it should keep the piston from freezing to the pad for a while.These aftermarket shims usually move around and end up binding the caliper, by getting caught on the sides of the pads , and i have seen some actually work their way between the pad and rotor, The factory shims attach to the pad/caliper pins and cannot move to cause problems.
)

The silicon grease is probably the same stuff as volvo, just a TOYOTA (DAMN I'M PROUD OF THIS PART) Label.