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.
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How frequently should I have my Toyota Tacoma’s brakes changed?
Depending on your driving habits, the Toyota Tacoma 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 are the brakes inspected on a Toyota Tacoma?
Once the wheel has been removed:
- Track down the brake pads. Turn your steering wheel until you can view your caliper’s back window if it has one. Alternately, you can just inspect the brake pads from the caliper’s top side.
- the thickness of the brake pads of your Toyota. Given the restricted space, measuring the thickness of your brake pads can be challenging, but a compass should be able to help. The brake pads must be replaced right away if the friction substance is less than 1/4 thick. They need to be replaced immediately if it’s less than 1/8 thick.
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 do brake repairs 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.
How do caliper brakes work?
The Function of a Brake Caliper. Stop Caliper The proper operation of your brakes depends on a specific part of your braking system called the brake caliper. Each wheel has calipers, which operate to squeeze the brake pads against the rotors in an effort to halt the wheel’s rotation and lower the vehicle’s speed.
Do I need to replace my brake pads and rotors?
When you take your automobile to the shop, the mechanic will frequently check your brake system to see whether it need any repairs. However, there are a few warning signals you may watch out for in between visits to the technician.
Grooves or ridges on the surface of the rotor
Put your finger into one of the holes in your hub cap (or remove it totally for greater visibility) and feel along the surface of the rotor for any deep grooves, which are effectively cracks in your rotor and indicate that you need new brake rotors. Next, feel down the edge to check for ridges. It’s usually time to have your rotor replaced if there is a lip around the edge, which indicates that it has worn rather thinly.
Pulsating or shaking when you stop
Taking your automobile for a test drive is a fantastic approach to decide whether or not you require new rotors. Set your speed to roughly 40 mph before slamming on the brakes. Hold the steering wheel firmly and listen for loud shaking or rattling emanating from the brake pedal or wheel. When you apply the brakes, your automobile may pulse, which is usually a sign that the rotors are warped. This occurs when your brakes can no longer effectively cool themselves, therefore it’s a good idea to have a repair have a look at them.
Grinding noise when braking
Brake grinding is a sign that your brake pads have completely worn out and are now rubbing against the rotors metal on metal. You will likely need an entirely new set of brake pads and rotors because the damage can be quite severe.
Corrosive rust on the rotor
Not all rust is the same when it comes to rotors. Rotor surface rust is fairly common and often disappears after use without affecting stopping ability. On the other hand, corrosive rust penetrates the casting and compromises the rotors’ structural integrity. This kind of rust frequently develops in areas with harsher weather when your car is exposed to road salt. It can also happen if you leave your automobile sitting for an extended period of time and allow the surface rust to etch into the rotor. When the rust bugs start biting, it’s advised that you get your rotors replaced together with your brake pads since corrosive rust can ruin your brake pads and have a disastrous effect on the effectiveness of your brakes.
Thinned out rotors
The discard thickness for rotors is predetermined by the component manufacturer. Each rotor will have a different measurement. However, a marker is typically placed directly on the brake component to signify it. Because it is the minimum thickness that allows for safe braking, the minimum thickness standard is a crucial dimension. Your rotor loses mass as it ages and thins, making it less able to absorb and expel the heat produced during braking. The rotor’s strength is also diminished by wear, raising the possibility of a crack or possibly a break. Every 10,000 miles or whenever you have your brakes serviced, rotor thickness should generally be measured.
Other brake symptoms that may not be related to rotors
Squeaking or squealing coming from the brakes, a brake system indicator light turning on, swerving to one side when braking, or poor brake effectiveness that results in it taking longer to stop are additional indications that you require brake service, which may or may not be related to the rotors. These signs could be caused by your brake fluid, master cylinder, caliper, or brake pads. It is best to have your brakes checked properly by a mechanic as soon as you notice anything unusual with them.
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What occurs if brake pads are changed without rotating the rotors?
For the optimum braking performance, fresh brake pads should be burnished (bedded) into the rotors.
Simply said, breaking in your new brake pads involves burnishing, also known as bedding-in, the brake pad.
Burnishing transmits an even coating of friction material from the brake pad to the brake rotor, improving braking efficiency over a wider temperature range and reducing noise and vibration.
To transmit the friction material to the brake rotor, a series of stops must be made, with cooling down intervals in between.
Get your mechanic to handle it because if it’s done incorrectly, you could experience brake pulsation, which would subject the rotor to heat shock and cause warping or fracture.
Q. How Much Do Brake Rotors Cost?
A difficult question to answer. Brake rotors exist in a wide variety of forms, dimensions, materials, and compositions as was previously mentioned. and rely heavily on the type of car you drive. A Volvo XC90 may cost $1,000 or more, and a supercar with carbon-ceramic brakes can cost up to $10,000 to replace all four brake rotors on a more modestly priced car.
Q. Do You Need to Replace Brake Rotors Every Time You Replace Your Brake Pads?
A. No, you won’t need to change your brake rotors every time you replace your brake pads because they will deteriorate more quickly than your brake pads do. But you should also change your brake pads when you replace your rotors. Every time you change your brake pads or rotate your tires, check your rotors.
Q. So, Can I Just Replace My Brake Pads, or Do I Have to Replace the Rotors Too?
A. Though it doesn’t happen frequently, you’ll only need to change your brake pads and rotors when they are worn out and warped, respectively. For ordinary steel, rotors are designed to last between 50,000 and 80,000 kilometers. The life of carbon-ceramic discs is increased.