Brakes…? (1 Viewer)

[urj150]

So I’m in need of some rear brakes and got a quote on OEM Toyota rotors and pads (about $200 all in). Which, I’m happy with.

But then I got to thinking about an aftermarket option like DBA or EBC.

Has anyone run aftermarket rotors / pads and been impressed? Disappointed?

My gut is to go with OEM - but I know a lot of companies are claiming increased stopping power and longevity (not to mention cool slotted / dimpled looks).

 

[Spike Strip]

The DBA or EBC are good, but I personally don't like drilled/slotted rotors, particularly on a slow tank. Just the standard solid rotors for me. In the past I've been unable to find a machine shop willing to turn drilled/slotted because they break tooling and cutting bits.

Can't go wrong with the OE stuff. I don't know if DBA or EBC have shifted production to ChiCom, either.

 

[r2m]

This is a great topic!
Perhaps a better question:
What are the BEST brakes one can get that'll fit on a GX? Both rotor's and pads? And maybe even calipers??
Anybody do an entire swap-out?
My rotors are warped and the front end wobbles when coming to stop. Had them turned once and it came back again.
Odd thing is that I'm not hard on brakes! Only a few times in my life have I ever had to change pads. And that's having my vehicles for a long time (10-15 years).
I'm getting over the wobble and thinking of swapping out the rotors and pads.

 

[jmanscotch]

I'll be due for brakes in the next year or so as well and plan to stick to OEM.

Too many times when I've tried aftermarket rotors and pads, there's always been some annoyance with them that wasn't there with OEM. Excessive brake dust, squealing/noise (slotted/drilled), premature wear, pads sticking to rotors, excessive rotor corrosion, warping, etc.

Unless I had a serious need for any added performance (overloaded GX or autocross Miata), I'm a fan of sticking OEM and flushing the brake fluid to get back some added stopping power and pedal feel. Tends to do the job I personally need them to, without some sort of annoying compromise.

My $0.02

 

[Washingtontaco]

I'll be due for brakes in the next year or so as well and plan to stick to OEM.

Too many times when I've tried aftermarket rotors and pads, there's always been some annoyance with them that wasn't there with OEM. Excessive brake dust, squealing/noise (slotted/drilled), premature wear, pads sticking to rotors, excessive rotor corrosion, warping, etc.

Unless I had a serious need for any added performance (overloaded GX or autocross Miata), I'm a fan of sticking OEM and flushing the brake fluid to get back some added stopping power and pedal feel. Tends to do the job I personally need them to, without some sort of annoying compromise.

My $0.02

Agreed! I did the Tundra Big Brake swap on my first gen Taco with NON OEM parts and had noise problems, massive dust issues and rocks getting into the drilled holes, PITA., then one of the aftermarket crap calipers froze.

 

[MrTorgue]

I bought this Power Stop brake set for my 470 and could not be more pleased. So pleased in fact I’ll be getting a similar set for my 460.

Power Stop K2422-36 Front & Rear...
Amazon product ASIN B005UB5WQG

 

[r2m]

I bought this Power Stop brake set for my 470 and could not be more pleased. So pleased in fact I’ll be getting a similar set for my 460.

Power Stop K2422-36 Front & Rear...
Amazon product ASIN B005UB5WQG

The Amazon rating looks pretty good, even though there are only about 60 reviews. But then how many people upgrade brakes and rotors to offer a review?

 

[MrTorgue]

The Amazon rating looks pretty good, even though there are only about 60 reviews. But then how many people upgrade brakes and rotors to offer a review?

Not many people. The good bad ratio is like 7:1 or so it used to be a longtime ago. All I know is I’m super pleased with them.

 

[McDuff123]

I bought this Power Stop brake set for my 470 and could not be more pleased. So pleased in fact I’ll be getting a similar set for my 460.

Power Stop K2422-36 Front & Rear...
Amazon product ASIN B005UB5WQG

I installed this exact kit on my ‘05, and am very satisfied. Slightly better braking and pedal feel, zero noise,and no brake dust. My rims are powder-coated light grey, and brake dust shows up easily. None so far with this set-up, after about 5k miles.

 

[MrTorgue]

I installed this exact kit on my ‘05, and am very satisfied. Slightly better braking and pedal feel, zero noise,and no brake dust. My rims are powder-coated light grey, and brake dust shows up easily. None so far with this set-up, after about 5k miles.

I concur about the brake dust. We get zero.

 

[LastPlace]

@MrTorgue
When you get it for the 460, please let us know if there are any issues with the pins that come with the kit. One or two reviews are saying it doesn’t fit the 460.

 

[MrTorgue]

@MrTorgue
When you get it for the 460, please let us know if there are any issues with the pins that come with the kit. One or two reviews are saying it doesn’t fit the 460.

Absolutely. I believe the issue may be because the pins sent were too short? I cannot remember what those reviews say. I did order the front and rear heavy duty Power Stop pads for my 5k mile road trip so I’ll know immediately if the pins are an issue as the same pads are in the kit as well. The image shows the correct pins so we’ll see.

Amazon product ASIN B0833PQLV9

 

[OCGX]

I am also running the Powerstop Extreme pads and rotors. I have about 10k miles on them installed last October. They really helped the stopping distance with all of my added weight. There is very little brake dust with this setup, and I haven't experienced any noise or shaking. The pins I received worked fine. I haven't taken a look to see how much they have worn down yet. I will check them out on my next rotate.

Edit: I believe the bedding in process is very important. You really need to get these pads smoking without coming to a complete stop multiple times.

 

[urj150]

All you guys bring up good points.

I *do* have a concern with squeaky pads. A lot of brake manufacturers shrug their shoulder and say “well, that’s just an attribute of performance brake pads” and I *dont* wanna get stuck in that boat.

DBA, EBC, Hawk and StopTech have come up on the radar in terms of rotors/pads. DBA rotors alone come in around $650 (!!!) whereas the others you can get in the $550 range for rotors and pads. However, $350 for the PowerStops seems too good to be true - but based on these experiences I may have to give them a look.

As for what else to replace - no plans for the caliper. However, I do plan on going with stainless lines and DOT4 fluid to help with initial bite.

Thanks for everyone’s feedback / input.

 

[MrTorgue]

All you guys bring up good points.

I *do* have a concern with squeaky pads. A lot of brake manufacturers shrug their shoulder and say “well, that’s just an attribute of performance brake pads” and I *dont* wanna get stuck in that boat.

DBA, EBC, Hawk and StopTech have come up on the radar in terms of rotors/pads. DBA rotors alone come in around $650 (!!!) whereas the others you can get in the $550 range for rotors and pads. However, $350 for the PowerStops seems too good to be true - but based on these experiences I may have to give them a look.

As for what else to replace - no plans for the caliper. However, I do plan on going with stainless lines and DOT4 fluid to help with initial bite.

Thanks for everyone’s feedback / input.

I also want to upgrade my brake lines. Eventually I’ll replace the calipers but right now they seen just fine. Let us know what you end up with.

 

[urj150]

So I just pulled the trigger on a complete StopTech setup from BuyBrakes (not plugging yet, as I haven’t gotten anything).

I went with their Stage 3 Truck/SUV slotted rotors/pads, along with front/rear stainless brake lines and enough DOT4 fluid to do a complete flush (3 bottles). Total came to about $525 shipped.

Should be here in a week or so and we’ll get to installing everything. I think I’ll also take some time to clean and paint the calipers while everything is apart.

 

[MrTorgue]

So I just pulled the trigger on a complete StopTech setup from BuyBrakes (not plugging yet, as I haven’t gotten anything).

I went with their Stage 3 Truck/SUV slotted rotors/pads, along with front/rear stainless brake lines and enough DOT4 fluid to do a complete flush (3 bottles). Total came to about $525 shipped.

Should be here in a week or so and we’ll get to installing everything. I think I’ll also take some time to clean and paint the calipers while everything is apart.

That’s a great deal. Makes me want to do that same setup on m 460 when I get ready to.

 

[r2m]

I agree, I want to see what the verdict is on them!

 

[Turbohardtop]

I had the Powerstops z36 kit on my fronts and they warped. I am using Stoptech high carbon rotors and they are starting to warp but lasting a little longer. I am thinking of getting another set of Stoptechs and perhaps see if I could machine the current set on the car.

 

[urj150]

I had the Powerstops z36 kit on my fronts and they warped. I am using Stoptech high carbon rotors and they are starting to warp but lasting a little longer. I am thinking of getting another set of Stoptechs and perhaps see if I could machine the current set on the car.

I expect all rotors to warp… eventually. Especially with increased weight from oversized tires, roof racks, etc.

How long did you get out of each setup?