Brake Upgrade

[trdcorolla]

This is gonna be my next oem+ mod, how are Toyota remanufactured calipers nowadays?

 

[2001LC]

The sweet spot, is new rear OEM calipers. Which come with mounting plate, pins and boots

Toyota reman calipers, are reman to a higher standard. They are very good. But they're not the sweet spot. Since Toyota rear remain calipers, do not come with mounting plate. It is the mounting plate that need replacing more often than calipers. This is due to, not replacing the rubber slide pins boots, with every brake pads service. So you likely need the mounting plate, pins and boots, which is pricey.

Caliper, for the most part, are near indestructible. Except for seat in/of bleeder port rust. As long as bleeder rubber cap used. The seat, never has issue with rust pitting leaks.

Calipers, have a piston that can become pitted, due to improper brake service flushing. Same holds true for piston rubber seal, although age affects rubber condition also. They also have a rubber boot, to seal caliper to piston. Age, heat, environment effect these boots.

 

[trdcorolla]

Yes!

But actually it's shims, not "fit kit" you'll need. The fitting kit, has 4 long clips. These clips fit over pad outer edge inner and outer shims. They achor outer shim to pads, which outer shim clips into pads. So that outer shims, can pull pad away from rotor, when brakes released.
What happens is, as we release brakes, piston seal retracts. Piston seals, have squared edges, which curl/roll as we press on brake pedal pushing piston outward from calipers bore. The curling creates resistance, which relaxes, returning piston as brake released.

I'll see if I can clear parts differences, up a bit.

The rotors and pads, are the same size for all (98-07). Even the caliper is the same size (foot print). Just the calipers ID of bore for pistons, piston diameter along with piston seals increased in size. Which means, we also need the outer shims with their wider clips to fit wider ID of newer (larger) pistons.

You will need a few more parts: 4 Shims, 4 gaskets and 4 caliper bolts (bolts are optional).

One front shim kit. Kit has 8 shims, enough for both frt pads. Actually only need the 4 outer shims, but sold as kit with 4 inner and 4 outer.

04945-60010 SHIM KIT, ANTI SQUEAL, FRONT June 02-07 WIDER PISTON CLIPS 39 & 42mm

Also order, 4 new flex line banjo bolt gaskets (washers), that's 2 for each caliper.
Note: You can anneal (heat until color changes) the older (98-02) copper washer gaskets, to reuse! But new is best practice.

I also replace, the caliper mounting bolt (2 each side), or at minimum use a thread locker on old bolts. In the 200 series caliper bolts, which is same bolt size we use in 03-07, the threads come pre sealed (so have different P/N). In 200 series, they reduce the torque ~20%, since threads are lubed. Personally I still torque 100 series caliper bolts to 90ft-lbf, even when threads lubed (thread sealant, is a lube). Over torquing stretches bolts. But since next time, I will install new bolts anyway. I don't care.

The 98-02 caliper mounting bolts have a washer. With the newer bolts 03-07 we don't use a washer. You can use old bolt w/washer or new bolt W/O washer.

There was one other minor change. The 98-02 had copper flex line banjo bolt and washer, 03 -07 aren't copper. Which we can use either new or old we care too, on any years caliper.

One interesting thing about the copper banjo and gaskets. Copper turns green in presence of moisture. If we'd see green brake fluid from caliper, during flush/bleed. We knew, we needed to flush sooner, next time.

I suggest flushing before changing calipers. Then bleeding afterwards. Why; when we flush we don't get 80% of fluid that is in caliper, unless we press piston in, which we then get ~80% out.

Again, I use only Toyota brake fluid.

Make sure to clearly note on/in the vehicle somewhere. That 03-07 front caliper are installed. 03-07 shim kits must be used, for proper fitment.

The sweet spot, is new rear OEM calipers. Which come with mounting plate, pins and boots

Toyota reman calipers, are reman to a higher standard. They are very good. But they're not the sweet spot. Since Toyota rear remain calipers, do not come with mounting plate. It is the mounting plate that need replacing more often than calipers. This is due to, not replacing the rubber slide pins boots, with every brake pads service. So you likely need the mounting plate, pins and boots, which is pricey.

Caliper, for the most part, are near indestructible. Except for seat in/of bleeder port rust. As long as bleeder rubber cap used. The seat, never has issue with rust pitting leaks.

Calipers, have a piston that can become pitted, due to improper brake service flushing. Same holds true for piston rubber seal, although age affects rubber condition also. They also have a rubber boot, to seal caliper to piston. Age, heat, environment effect these boots.

Thanks, are Toyota front remanufactured calipers are good? Do they look clean/new or can some of them be dirty/rusted? Since calipers have a core charge i'll probably buy them locally and get the shim kit, caliper bolts online to get the additional 25% that the Southeast Toyota dealers are having right now.

 

[2001LC]

All remans come cleaned.

All Toyota remanufactured parts. Are said to be remanufactures to a higher standard. Meaning Toyota requires certain parts be replaced. Other remanufactures, parts used, are at discretion of rebuilders.

Reman or new caliper, do not come loaded.

 

[trdcorolla]

Just did this 2003+ front caliper brake upgrade to my 2001 LX. Stock brakes felt sufficient with Load D 32's and Load C 33's. When I got Load E 34's they were no longer sufficient (my opinion, not stock weight but not a heavy build) . Night and day difference now with my 34's. I feel like I can slow down like a normal car instead of having to feel like I have to brake a lot earlier.

I did some quick/dirty measurements (might not be too accurate, needed to get this done and flushed before my kids got home from school). On the 2003+ front caliper, the bigger piston, the inner diameter was around 3mm wider. The smaller piston inner diameter was 1.5mm wider.

Thanks again for this info @2001LC.