Front brake pads are cracked (what?). Suggestions for replacement.

[Pyrenees]

2001 LX 470. 179k miles. I've had this vehicle for the past year and 10k miles. I had it in the shop today (the one that did my timing belt last year) to remove the hydraulic AHC suspension and replace with regular shocks/springs/etc.

He told me that the front brake pads had about 25% life left but they were cracked and he recommended replacing them within the next 3000 miles because of the cracks. I don't mind replacing stuff at 25% remaining life, but is cracking normal? Every car I've changed the pads and rotors on before (half a dozen of them) cracking hasn't been a reason.

I trust his opinion because he told me I don't need rotors/bearings and he told me that I could just slap some Akebono ACT772 pads on there and call it a day. Of course I would lube the pins and clean it all up. He said that the ceramic pads ruin the brake feel on these Toyotas and I should go with the semi-metallic or organic pads. More dust, but better feel and less likely to score the rotors.

The last reported front brake service was at the Lexus dealer in 2010, 75,000 miles ago.

Thanks!

 

[RND1]

I like oem - can't beat it $54:

Genuine Toyota Disc Brake Pad Set Front part# 04465-60230 for 2002-2007 Toyota Land Cruiser | Ourisman Toyota Parts| Official Online Store

Save Time and Money get your Genuine Toyota Disc Brake Pad Set Front (446560230) For Your 2002-2007 Toyota Land Cruiser When You Shop With Ourisman Toyota Parts!

toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Stay away from EBC Green stuff brake pads if you don’t like wiping dust off your wheels every 3 days. Grip is okay, a little better than OEM but the brake dust is just crazy.

 

[abuck99]

Make sure they turn rotors (if enough thickness is remaining on rotor) if replacing just the pads.

Take mechanics opinion of pad material type at face value. OEM are ceramic and work great at managing noise, heat and load- and they last a long time. Not sure about the "cracking" other than caused by heat from a dragging caliper- or a crap pad previously installed. Post up a pic of the cracked pad after you get them replaced.

Options: OEM is always a good choice but shims/anti squeal pads and hardware are extra $, Akebono ceramic is good choice- comes with anti squeal pads attached and mounting hardware, Advance auto "Carquest Wearever Platinum Professional Ceramic pads" are also a good option and come with anti squeal pads and mounting hardware ( pad clips and wear sensors) (and they appear the same as Akebono- private labeled Carquest). The Carquest pads are about $20 cheaper with coupon.

 

[2001LC]

Akebono Pro‑ACT 772 are ceramic brake pads. They work fine.

As @abuck99 said; machine turn the rotors, if not replacing them. Doing this, the fronts will last me 90K miles without grooving the rotors. Then only a very small amounts needs shave off each time they are turned. You can get 3 to 4 turns on each rotor if machined every time. That's 270K to 360K miles with my driving style. Which may be too long for rotors in environments that are wet, salt the roads or in the rust belt. These rotor can separate at cooling fines that are in between disk halves.

Just slapping in pads, is not best practice IMHO. It can lead to pulling and excessive wear of pads * grooving of rotors.

Regardless of what pads manufacture states, I always bed in new pads. This can not effectively be done on old rotors that still have old pad materiel on them (not machined turned).

Two ways to turn the rotors.

1. On the vehicle turn. Then, wheel hubs need not be pulled exposing wheel bearings.
2. Time with wheel bearing service job. Great for DIY job.

 

[Pyrenees]

Looks like 04465-60220 is the correct OEM option for my build date. I think I'm just going to go with OEM and combine it with the order for the serpentine belt tensioner/pulley. Weird that toyotapartsdeal was cheaper than lexuspartsnow for the same products since I assume they are the same underlying company (websites look exactly the same). My local dealer wants too much $ for shipping.