Shims?

[rmatnze]

I have a 1997 Landcruiser and decide to do the brake job myself. I bought the rotors from NAPA, but the pads from the Toyota dealership so they wouldn't squeal. I figured I would re-use the shims from the old pads, but it turned out wheelworks didn't use OEM pads and I can't use the shims from them. I called the dealer and they want $180.00 for shims, and NAPA doesn't carry them. Is there any way to get them cheaper? they should come with the pads anyway! Has anyone tried doing a brake job without using shims or know for a fact weather or not the brakes will squeek without them in this car?
Thanks,
--Ryan

[cruiserdan]

Shims are less than 50 bucks. Somebody is not communicating properly.

[Ebag333]

And you should order your parts from the guy above. Save you a pretty penny.

[jestlurnin]

I was all excited to put up my second post ever and the first thread is about what I want to post! I just ordered the shim kit, front and rear I believe, I can't remember if there were shims for just the front or the rear. And the "hardware kit" I guess it has the anti rattle spring and other things I hope I'll be able to figure out from a local dealership and they only charged me 110 for everything.

My question (not trying to hijack) was do I need to bleed the brakes after I'm done?

And does anyone have a recommendation on the type of brake fluid to put in?

[rmatnze]

Originally Posted by jestlurnin

My question (not trying to hijack) was do I need to bleed the brakes after I'm done?

And does anyone have a recommendation on the type of brake fluid to put in?

Well here is my second post lol. Yes, you do have to bleed the brakes. Your in luck though because the fj/fzj80 does not require any scantool/code machine to successfully bleed the brakes. All you have to do is start w/ the longest line. I believe it takes DOT3 brake fluid. I'm also a huge fan of amsoil so i'd reccomend their fluid although any type will be just fine.

[rmatnze]

So it sounds like I will need shims or I will be hearing the brakes all day long. How would I go about ordering from cruiserdan?

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by jestlurnin

I was all excited to put up my second post ever and the first thread is about what I want to post! I just ordered the shim kit, front and rear I believe, I can't remember if there were shims for just the front or the rear. And the "hardware kit" I guess it has the anti rattle spring and other things I hope I'll be able to figure out from a local dealership and they only charged me 110 for everything.

My question (not trying to hijack) was do I need to bleed the brakes after I'm done?

And does anyone have a recommendation on the type of brake fluid to put in?

As Dan stated above, shims should be less than $50. You can ask him but I would bet that is a full "hardware kit". FYI, I have not had any shims for over 6 years and I'm pretty sure the brakes don't squeal. It is a little hard to hear them over the mud tyres and with lousy hearing but I think my wife would say something if they were squealing. Many guys prefer the 100-Series front pads and you can't get them to fit with the shims.

You need to bleed the brakes if you open the system. You do not need to open the system to replace all 4 pads. However, you should do routine brake system flushes (recommend annual) where you would replace all the brake fluid. Of course, that involves bleeding all 4 corners plus the LSPV.

You should use a DOT-3 brake fluid. My preference is the Valvoline Synthetic Brake fluid.

-B-

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by rmatnze

How would I go about ordering from cruiserdan?

Call him at American Toyota. They are a 'Mud supporting vendor and you should be able to find the 800 number by clicking the link in the upper right corner of every screen. Ask for Dan in the parts department. I believe he is on extension 8.

-B-

[d0ubledown]

Originally Posted by rmatnze

So it sounds like I will need shims or I will be hearing the brakes all day long. How would I go about ordering from cruiserdan?

the # ive got on my phone is 800.432.6668...im sure someone will correct me if im wrong or will post up his direct #.

[rmatnze]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

Call him at American Toyota. They are a 'Mud supporting vendor and you should be able to find the 800 number by clicking the link in the upper right corner of every screen. Ask for Dan in the parts department. I believe he is on extension 8.

-B-

Thanks for the info, but I can't wait that long (however I will remember this for my future purchases). The car is on the lift as I type this and I'm in the Bay Area. Any other ideas on how to get these things at even a fair price?

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by rmatnze

Any other ideas on how to get these things at even a fair price?

You mean besides calling CruiserDan?

I am sure you can go to NAPA or AZ and get the hardware kits. The only problem with this option is that the parts probably won't fit and you'll blow a head gasket and throw your best Snap-On ratchet against the wall and bust it.

Or you can call all the Toy/Lexus dealers in the Bay area and hope one of them has all the parts in stock and then spend a few hours running around burning $4 gasoline to fetch the parts.

Or you can plan ahead, call Cruiserdan on Monday and get your parts by Friday; do the brake job 7-9am on Saturday and enjoy your truck the rest of the weekend. You'll get the right parts, they will fit, and the price will be substantially less than your Lex/Toy dealer is going to charge you.

[No affiliation other than Dan is a good personal friend, a member of our local Cruiser club, the boss of a goofy b@st@rd, and both Dan and the goofy b@st@ard help me out any time I need anything. ]



-B-