Doing front brake job ....parts check

[jeffkukuruda]

My rig has 57,000 miles on it, and I just did the front brakes for a 2nd time. bought it as a CPO and when I drove it home the rotors had vibration, took it back to the dealer and they replaced the front rotors after messing the originals up trying to machine them. I took it home and installed TRD pads, I was happy with the increased initial bite, but otherwise, grew to loath them quickly. They dust worse than any sports car track pad, and experienced pad transfer towing in the summer in less than 5k miles.

I replaced the rotors with stoptech cryo and slotted rotors and moved to Hawk LTS pads. I couldn't be happier. the LTS pads dust less, or a lighter color maybe, and they bite just as well as the TRD's with great modulation and no fade noticed yet. I tow a 6,000 lb boat around idaho and the mountains. This is my preferred set up now! The backs will get matching treatment soon.

As for the pins and retaining clips, I'd say it depends on mileage and condition. I didn't replace mine this time as they were in good shape and not very old. I cleaned the pad retention pins up with a wire brush and lubed as described above. And FYI, TRD pads and Hawk pads do not include them.

Happy to answer any other questions.

Good Luck,
Jeff

 

[bloc]

My rig has 57,000 miles on it, and I just did the front brakes for a 2nd time. bought it as a CPO and when I drove it home the rotors had vibration, took it back to the dealer and they replaced the front rotors after messing the originals up trying to machine them. I took it home and installed TRD pads, I was happy with the increased initial bite, but otherwise, grew to loath them quickly. They dust worse than any sports car track pad, and experienced pad transfer towing in the summer in less than 5k miles.

I replaced the rotors with stoptech cryo and slotted rotors and moved to Hawk LTS pads. I couldn't be happier. the LTS pads dust less, or a lighter color maybe, and they bite just as well as the TRD's with great modulation and no fade noticed yet. I tow a 6,000 lb boat around idaho and the mountains. This is my preferred set up now! The backs will get matching treatment soon.

As for the pins and retaining clips, I'd say it depends on mileage and condition. I didn't replace mine this time as they were in good shape and not very old. I cleaned the pad retention pins up with a wire brush and lubed as described above. And FYI, TRD pads and Hawk pads do not include them.

Happy to answer any other questions.

Good Luck,
Jeff

Interesting stuff on the LTS pads. Have you noticed any rotor wear? So far I can live with the dust of my TRD pads but I see a significant lip forming on the rotor, suggesting they are taking a toll. The dark dust might even be iron from the rotor surface..

 

[jeffkukuruda]

I don't have enough miles to comment on wear of the rotor between the two, but I also have Cryo rotors with the LTS pads so I don't think it could be apples to apples. I've always used an aggressive "fast" road pad that is semi metallic on my cars and I've never worn the rotor out before the pad, thickness wise at least. If you're happy with the TRD then I wouldn't worry about it, but I highly recommend the switch. Talking to another member in depth on this subject, we also discussed how the company Frozen Rotors is absolutely against the TRD pad, and actually gave him another set of rotors after having similar issues to me, as long as he agreed to switch to the LTS pad. Also, the Hawk pad is cheaper than the TRD as well.

Cheers,
Jeff