Depending on the type of brake pads chosen and the degree of harm your previous worn-out pads have done to the various sections of your vehicle, such as the rotors, replacing the brake pads on a Toyota Tacoma can cost anywhere between $150 and $300 each axle.
In This Article...
How much does a brake job cost at Toyota?
What is the price of a brake job? Depending on the type of brake pad desired, brake pads for a Toyota might cost anywhere between $150 per axle and $450 per axle. For all four brake rotors to be replaced, the cost might range from $300 to $750. The labor and parts costs are included in this estimate.
Do all Tacomas have drum brakes on the back?
In the tiny pickup truck market, potential buyers have a few different options. The Toyota Tacoma is by far the most popular option, followed by the new Ford Ranger and the Colorado from Chevrolet. Different cab and bed configurations are available for all three. All three have four-wheel disc brakes and can tow a minimum of 6,800 pounds. Wait, they don’t. The Tacoma still has drum brakes in the back. Yes, even the most recent TRD Pro models lack rear disc brakes after several generations, and Toyota has no plans to change this anytime soon. If the rear drums are deterring you from buying a Tacoma, whether you’re a potential customer or a current owner looking to improve, we’ve got some good news for you. Pedders Brakes & Suspension The TrakRyder Rear Disc Brake Conversion Kit (PED-PBCK006) is made particularly for the 20052021 Toyota Tacoma by the Australian aftermarket automotive professionals! For the purpose of demonstrating what this conversion to rear disc brakes is all about, we joined up with our friends at R/T Tuning in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, during a recent installation.
WHY DOES THE TACOMA STILL HAVE DRUM BRAKES?
There are several responses to that query, but the cost to Toyota for development on millions of trucks and the cost to the consumer for future maintenance items is the most important one. Toyota saves money by recycling existing brake components rather than developing an altogether new braking system because it had paid to create the Tacoma’s rear drum technology and parts decades ago (and potentially passes those savings onto consumers by offering the Tacoma at a lower price point). Better brake protection in adverse situations is another reason Toyota has stated that its well-known truck still uses outdated technology while its rivals have updated. However, there is considerable area for debate about this.
WHAT ARE THE DOWNSIDES OF DRUM BRAKES?
For starters, they have an enclosed system with all of the braking parts contained inside the drum, which encourages friction and heat and causes a problem called brake fade that negatively affects braking performance. Apart from the accumulation of used friction material (brake dust) from the shoes over time and its detrimental effects on the numerous springs, seals, and hydraulic system’s wheel cylinder, the enclosed braking area is also unable to discharge any trespassing foreign contaminants. The drum is not a sealed environment, thus any entry of mud or water can reduce the components’ capacity to brake.
WHY CONVERT TO DISC BRAKES?
To me, it seems like a no-brainer. Almost no excuse exists for not switching to disc brakes, with the exception of price, which in our business rarely serves as a deterrent. It is a more recent technique that is based on the open-air principle, which effectively dissipates heat. Centrifugal forces also work in conjunction with the open design to remove water and impurities, maintaining a continuous braking potential. If you want your braking system to look nicer, disc brakes also provide several options for drilled or slotted rotors, along with colorful caliper choices.
WHO IS PEDDERS?
The Pedders crew has been a major force in the Australian automotive aftermarket since 1950. The company’s main objective is to provide passionate drivers with solutions, and while each of its parts performs superbly on the racing track, each is still appropriate for the street. By tackling projects with the accuracy of OE engineers and free from the restrictions of large corporate finance departments, Pedders seeks to strike the ideal balance between courtesy and effectiveness. When it was time for the business to concentrate on the Toyota Tacoma, they were aware of two areas that needed immediate improvement. The rear disc brake conversion kit that we’re talking about today is the first. The truck’s suspension system is the second, which we’ll discuss another day.
KIT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Let’s start with maintenance simplicity. I don’t want to sound like one of those late-night infomercials, but if you’ve ever struggled to change the delicate shoes, springs, and wheel cylinders on a drum brake setup, I’m sure you’re open to a simpler fix. Disc brakes can provide that, I suppose. After installation, the maintenance procedure is quite straightforward, requiring only the removal of two bolts to change the brake pads and no other removal of components to inspect the system. The factory parking brake cable is still used with this kit, which makes adjustments simple and keeps the OE look and feel.
The numerous general reasons for upgrading to disc brakes, such as heat dissipation, water dispersion, enhanced stopping power, and improved brake pedal feel and modulation, can now be discussed. The duration of brake fade increases with exposure to open air, and the disc brakes’ complete self-adjustability is an added benefit.
Last but not least, this kit includes pretty much everything required for the full conversion from rear drum brake to disc brake (though, some items will still need to be purchased). Included are parts like a set of rear TrakRyder Kevlar Ceramic brake pads and Pedders TrakRyder Geomet-coated disc brake rotors. It is ADR (Australian Design Rule) Certified and offers piece of mind with a 2-year/24,000-mile guarantee.
THE INSTALLATION
This would likely be a medium dog setup if our difficulty scale was based on dog size. This one may be best left to the experts if you’re not particularly tech-savvy or mechanically inclined (as we did by taking it to R/T Tuning). Be careful because some points need for sophisticated understanding and a press. We’re going to take you through our experience rather than having Pedders host an installation video that shows the procedure.
Before removing the wheels, Pat from R/T Tuning elevated the vehicle into the air. To release the fluid inside, he withdrew the fill and drain plug from the rear differential. He then removed the wheel cylinder itself, the hydraulic brake lines, the parking brake wire, and the drum to gain access to the interior parts.
Carefully removing the ABS sensor is a crucial step to avoid harming it in the process. It makes no sense to spend money on a replacement for one of these pricey little sending devices if you don’t have to. In our situation, the rust accumulation was so severe that they still needed to be replaced.
The installation’s assembly phase takes up the remaining steps. We began attaching the new Pedders backing plate to the prepared bearing and housing. Pat installed the wheel studs before repositioning the axle seal, backing plate, and new spacer on the axle. He reinserted the axle into the truck and pressed the axle assembly into the hub (making sure not to disrupt the seal).
Then, all of the brackets, hardware, emergency brake shoe assemblies, cables, rotors, calipers, and brake pads must be bolted on. The next step is to adjust the e-brake shoes’ tension, top off the gear oil in the differential housing, and bleed the complete brake system when everything has been torqued to specification. Pat adjusted the parking brake tension and bedded in the brake pads before the road test.
THE STATS
After installing this upgrade, Pedders presented verified data showing that the Tacoma and Hilux trucks slowed from 64.6 mph to 0. The truck’s original drum brake system required 327.1 feet to bring it to a halt, whereas the Pedders TrakRyder rear disc brake upgrade required only 199.2 feet. Upgrading the average deceleration from 13.88 feet per second to 21.52 feet per second results in this. The increased stopping power speaks for itself, but the disc brakes’ visual appeal is also noteworthy. Stay tuned as we tackle the Pedders SportsRyder suspension system on this same truck for the installation’s conclusion.
How much should new brake rotors and pads cost?
What should the cost be to replace the brake rotors and pads? The typical cost of changing brake pads and rotors is between $250 and $400 per axle. Your prices may increase significantly if you operate a heavy-duty pickup vehicle and haul or tow a lot of weight.
When ought drum brakes to be changed?
Drum brakes, which are still used on many cars, especially older ones, may appear strange and out-of-date in comparison to disc brakes. Drum brakes are still standard equipment on the back of new cars, despite the fact that the technology is not new. The combined handbrake and foot brake shoes and the handbrake only shoes are the two common options for drum brakes on the rear axle. Like ordinary drum brakes, handbrake only shoes are frequently installed inside the disc rotor and are generally sealed away. This makes it difficult to visually inspect for wear and tear.
Drum brakes work by applying pressure with the rotating component that rotates with the wheels, the brake shoe, to the interior of the drum brake. The iron alloy used to make the drum was particularly created to be very durable. The friction lining of the brake shoes is adhered to a metal backing plate.
- inconsistent sensation of the brake pedal. The driver may experience vibrations when applying the brakes if the back brakes are drum brakes. When the brakes are first heated up, the initial bite might not be there. This is due to the brake shoes’ extreme wear, which prevents them from securely pressing against the drum.
- The hand brake is unsteady. It’s likely that the brake shoes need to be replaced if applying the hand brake demands a strong tug. The drum or brake shoes need to be checked if the automobile moves a few inches on a steep incline before coming to a stop. It might just be a loose hand brake cable, which is considerably simpler to fix.
- brake noise that scrapes. Under braking, you might hear a metallic scraping sound if the brake shoes were so thoroughly worn away that just the metal shoe platform was left. If the damage is this serious, you might need to machine the drum or completely replace it.
When replacing brake shoes, go for Bendix Brake Shoes for their durability, stopping power, and lack of noise and dust. You can always put your foot down with confidence thanks to this product’s specially developed mix for all driving circumstances.
How durable are drum brakes?
With the right care and maintenance, drum brakes can typically be expected to last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. They typically require new brake shoes every 30,000 to 40,000 miles. Of course, the environments your car is subjected to over time will also have an effect on the drum brakes’ wear.
How durable are Toyota brakes?
How long do Toyota brake pads last? Depending on your driving habits, Toyota brake pads typically last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. You should get an examination more frequently if you commute in congested traffic and apply the brakes frequently.
How frequently should Toyota brakes be changed?
The importance of brakes as a part of every vehicle cannot be overstated. They are absolutely necessary for safety and control, therefore it goes without saying that they must operate at their very best. Brake pads are stressed over time, deteriorate, and require replacement. Continue reading below to find out more about brake replacement and how frequently it should be done!
Brake Pad Replacement Frequency
The frequency of brake pad change depends on the vehicle’s make, model, and year. The recommended replacement time for brake pads is generally every 30,000 to 35,000 miles, but it also depends on your driving habits, the location you travel, and the type of brake pads you use. Consult your owner’s manual to find out how often the brake pads on your car need to be replaced.
Can I change the brake pads on my own?
- Depending on your vehicle and driving style, brake pads should be replaced every 25,000 to 75,000 miles. You’ll discover that most professionals and automakers advise changing your brake pads every 50,000 miles on average.
- As part of your standard inspection, ask your mechanic to check your brake pads on a regular basis. Always remember to examine your brake pads to see if they appear worn if you prefer to perform your own vehicle inspections. When you notice severe wear on your brake pads, replace them right once to keep your car safe.
- Squealing, squeaking, and grinding noises are indications of wear. It’s probably time for a replacement if your automobile pulls to one side more than the other when you press the brake pedal or if you experience bouncing when coming to a stop.
- Your car’s performance, dependability, and safety can all be enhanced by replacing the brake pads. You can tackle replacing your own brake pads as a DIY project if you’re confident performing your own vehicle maintenance. As with any auto modification or repair, check your owner’s manual for any special instructions or instructions before you start.
Can I just change my brake pads and leave the rotors alone?
You can definitely replace only the worn brake pads if they haven’t been damaged or thinned past the discard thickness.
It’s the rotor minimum thickness required by the rotor or car manufacturer.
The performance and long-term wear of the brake pads are influenced by the brake rotor and vice versa.
Typical wear patterns on old rotors include brake dust left behind from an old brake pad set.
The new brake pads may not therefore properly fit the old rotor. Due to this mismatch, the new brake pads may wear unevenly and generate noise and vibration (which will lead to premature brake pad replacement).
Additionally, keep in mind that an old, worn-out rotor can eventually require replacement. The time and money you think you are saving may not be as great as you imagined.
Resurfacing entails scraping a minute layer of material off the brake disc or rotor’s front and back surfaces.
By removing any grooves, pits, and remaining friction material from worn brake pads, this procedure makes a smooth surface for new brake pads to grab onto, allowing the new brake pads to wear down evenly.