Need new brakes.

[Shinichi]

I just finished servicing my first 80 FF axle hub. It went fairly smoothly. However, the leaking gear oil that initiated the service project has also brought to light my need of new brake rotors and pads.

Slee has rotors, pads, and lines that seem like they are fairly priced and maybe even a slight upgrade. MAF has the 4000 kit that is slightly more money, but as far as I can tell is essentially the same thing. I haven't checked Toyota, but I am assuming it would cost more?

My question is, is the MAF kit worth the extra money? Are there other options? Also, in the searching I have done, putting in 100 series pads as replacement seems like a common upgrade. Do they fit directly into the stock 80 (1996) calipers? Should I rebuild, or replace, the calipers too?

One more thing. The e-brake shoes were soaked in gear oil too. I don't see anybody talking about replacing those. Is that just an OE piece and be done with it?

This is all happening to my wife's rig which is bone stock, and has 235k on the ticker. She drives it 70 to 90 miles daily with our dog and two kids. Safety and reliability are the number one factors.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Romer]

It really comes down to personal preference. I ran OEM for years and then switched to the slotted rotors Slee sells last time. Thye likely keep the brakes cooler, biut I really didn't notice the difference in stopping power. I would use 100 series OEM brake pads with a new rotor as they have more surface area. That makes a difference

 

[yardbird88]

slotted rotor/ceramic brake pads

This is what I got a month ago, much better than OEM.

Performance Brake Rotors & Ceramic Pads Front and Rear | eBay

 

[Shinichi]

Thanks Romer. Do the 100 series pads drop in to the 80 series calipers? Or, is there an extra step?

YardBird, those look awesome. nearly the same as what Slee is selling. What's the catch? $200 vs nearly $800. Have you done any hard braking, or mtn driving? We live in the Rockies, we go up and down a lot. Warping would be a bummer.

 

[Shinichi]

This is what I got a month ago, much better than OEM.

Performance Brake Rotors & Ceramic Pads Front and Rear | eBay

I ordered a set of these. They are worth a try. If they end up warping I will put them on mine when we can afford Slee or MAF rotors.

I asked if they would send 100 series pads. It is worth a shot, the worst they can say is no, and at that price I can just buy some pads from Toyota.

I will keep you posted.

 

[Romer]

Thanks Romer. Do the 100 series pads drop in to the 80 series calipers? Or, is there an extra step?

they do. You have to remove one of the shims.

 

[AmaTX80]

so a quick question on the 100 pads, do they go front only or front and rear? i was looking into doing this too. thanks

 

[yardbird88]

Thanks Romer. Do the 100 series pads drop in to the 80 series calipers? Or, is there an extra step?

YardBird, those look awesome. nearly the same as what Slee is selling. What's the catch? $200 vs nearly $800. Have you done any hard braking, or mtn driving? We live in the Rockies, we go up and down a lot. Warping would be a bummer.

I got it for about 3 months, it had been to Big Bear Mountains, so far, no wrapping and very quiet and we live at hill side too, so lots of going uphill & down hill. I will post if there is any problem with these sets. I got these installed for $120 labor so the whole thing cost me $330. (Stealer wanted $490 just for changing pads F&R).

 

[yardbird88]

BTW, Slee's brake rotor & pad kits are advertised as "Powerstop" which are exactly the SAME ebay stuff that I ordered from. That's an insane mark-ups!!

 

[Shinichi]

Awesome. It looks like they shipped today. I look forward to putting them on to see how they do.

Mud is such a great resource for all of us who don't want to let these rigs die. Thanks

 

[lndcruz]

I got DBA slotted rotors on tire rack for a decent price and 100 series pads from american toyota. Couldn't be happier.

FYI 100 series pads are front only on 80 series and they fit directly.

 

[Shinichi]

That's a good bit of info. I am sure you just saved me a bit of frustration at the rear brakes, thanks.

 

[Tools R Us]

That ebay add has a bunch of BS, I wouldn't buy from a company with that poor of an understanding of brake operation.

Edit, that add is almost pure BS, about the only facts are; the rotors are iron and they ship FedEx.

 

[Kernal]

Have to agree with Tools, wouldn't buy rotors from fleabay, for sure made in China with unknown metallurgy. But then most low price rotors at any retail parts store are made in China also. I'm currently running the DBA slotted/cross-drilled rotors with 100 series high performance non-OEM pads up front, EBC Green Stuff pads in the rear. I've noticed less brake fade in very hot weather with repeated stops and somewhat shorter braking distances compared to the OEM setup.

 

[Shinichi]

I am fully aware that in most cases you get what you pay for. I will give these a shot. I don't think safety will be an issue, and if they warp right away I will go another route.

I looked at tire rack .com. They have very good pricing too. Even on the higher end stuff. What is the difference between low end and high end? They are all cast iron, coated, and for the most part drilled and slotted. Purity of the Iron used?

The biggest difference seems to be in choice of brake pads. I can definitely use some education on why one would use one type over the other. I am sure the use of the vehicle makes a difference here. In this case, it is a daily driven family hauler.

 

[Kernal]

I'm not a metallurgist or a machinist so can't give a technical answer as to why the cheap stuff performs poorly other than what I've experienced and read; lower grade steel, quicker/cheaper methods of production that leaves internal stresses which leads to warping, cheaper anti-corrosion coatings,---. Tools and others might have a better answer. You can never go wrong with OEM parts, guaranteed to perform the same as when new, after that it boils down to talking to others (like on this forum) to see what works and what doesn't IMHO.

 

[yardbird88]

FYI, Both Slee & Ebay vendor are "Powerstop" brake kits and they are NOT made in China stuffs....Made in USA! I goes by the name of manufacturer..not by higher price...can't go wrong. My OEM rotor & brake pads were making noises and this Powerstop stuff is quiet..so far so good.

 

[yardbird88]

Those who prefer DBA, this is pretty good deal for $75 each rotor

Amazon.com: DBA DBA4786XS 4000 Series XS Premium Cross-Drilled and Slotted Rear Vented Disc Brake Rotor: Automotive

 

[firetruck41]

FYI, Both Slee & Ebay vendor are "Powerstop" brake kits and they are NOT made in China stuffs....Made in USA! I goes by the name of manufacturer..not by higher price...can't go wrong. My OEM rotor & brake pads were making noises and this Powerstop stuff is quiet..so far so good.

Did the rotors actually come stamped or branded as "Powerstop" rotors? The ebay description seems to specify the pads as Powerstop pads, but seems ambiguous as to the actual manufacturer/make of the rotors.

 

[yardbird88]

Did the rotors actually come stamped or branded as "Powerstop" rotors? The ebay description seems to specify the pads as Powerstop pads, but seems ambiguous as to the actual manufacturer/make of the rotors.

Frankly, I didn't see any MIC on the package but IMO, the rotors looks good & decent, may not taste good. I will repost after a year on the status of the rotor. So far, in 3 months , it's good, knocking the WOOD!