Resealing 1998 Tacoma 4WD Front Brake Calipers

[skeezix]

I can buy refurbished brake calipers for about $50 exchange. I'd rather just rebuild them myself. Checker Auto has seal kits, Napa does not offer them, nor does the stealer. Is there anything else I should consider before getting the kits at Checker Auto?

 

[FlatlandTRD]

I can buy refurbished brake calipers for about $50 exchange. I'd rather just rebuild them myself. Checker Auto has seal kits, Napa does not offer them, nor does the stealer. Is there anything else I should consider before getting the kits at Checker Auto?

Is there actually a problem with your calipers? Do you really want to use cheap non OEM parts? Are the piston seals bad/leaking? When it comes to brakes, I wouldn't skimp. Is it worth the $10 you'll save to rebuild them yourself? See link to FSM above.

 

[skeezix]

Two new Toyota calipers: $1000+ (IIRC)
Two rebuilt calipers: $110
Two rebuild kits: $ 12

$500 for a "genuine" Toyota caliper is ridiculous! I'll save $$$$$$ by rebuilding them myself, and I'll know the job was done right. The truck has 51K miles on the clock, but is almost 11 years old, and I don't think the rubber parts in the brake system are going to last much longer, so rebuilding the wheel cylinders and calipers while replacing the pads and shoes is a bit of preventive maintenance.

 

[Hank]

Calipers can last 20 years +. Rebuilding them if there is nothing wrong is foolish IMHO. Focus on scheduled PM items in the FSM. If you look you will see this is not one of them.

 

[raydouble]

If they are not functioning properly or if they are leaking is the only reason I would rebuild a brake caliper.
Mine on my hilux are 28 years old with 200,000 miles on them and work like new.

FWIW, I would make sure to flush with clean brake fluid and call er' good.

 

[skeezix]

Well, both you guys are probably right. I've done 4 caliper rebuilds over the last 20 years and never found any serious scoring or other signs of wear, so I guess this last one will be my last. But I did find the job "theraputic and somewhat cathartic..."

Raydouble, you really oughta have sumpthin' done about that eye...

 

[larsdennert]

You might be able to swap Tundra brakes on there for a serious upgrade if you have the 13" rotors. More pricey than a rebuild but they don't warp. I've had sticking calipers on my 4Runner.

 

[WallyP226]

If there isn't a problem, I wouldn't fool with them.

In regards to the Tundra brake conversion, I used S13WE 199mm rotors and brakes from a 1999-2003 Tundra. 16" rims are a minimum, and the cost is about $350-400 after exchanging the calipers.

Its a fairly straight foreward project, the only hitch is the decision to either modify the existing brake lines or buying new front brakelines with the right (Tundra) brake line extensions.

Wally

 

[larsdennert]

Good point. I forgot the Tacoma has Banjo fittings. The 4Runner happens to match right up.

 

[skeezix]

Not sure I understand the reasoning behind replacing Tacoma brakes with Tundra brakes... after all, the stock brakes are more than adequate to stop wheel rotation. Maybe for towing trailers down lo-o-ong grades every day??

 

[larsdennert]

If your brakes work fine then there's no reason to upgrade. The 4Runner, maybe because it is heavier, tends to warp rotors. Installing the thicker Tundra rotors and bigger calipers seems to avoid the problem. I'm not sure if it is a rotor or caliper issue per se that causes the warping but it's not normal considering how big the stuff already is on the Taco and 3rd Gen 4R. I figured the OP might have a caliper issue since he is rebuilding them.

 

[WallyP226]

Not sure I understand the reasoning behind replacing Tacoma brakes with Tundra brakes... after all, the stock brakes are more than adequate to stop wheel rotation. Maybe for towing trailers down lo-o-ong grades every day??

With the double cabs, 4 adults and a weeks worth of supplies, I couldn't get my stock brakes to lock up or engage ABS. The brakes felt soft and spongy after a couple of stops from highway speeds. Add in larger tires and IMO it was marginally acceptable.

With Tundra brakes even with 4 adults, 300-400lbs in the bed, the ABS will kick in if I need to stomp on the brakes. The limiting factor in friction is now the tires instead of the rotors and calipers. IMO thats the way it should be.

I can't even imagine pulling a trailer with 2-4000 lbs without trailer brakes and Tundra brake upgrade!

For the money, its one of the cheapest brake, caliper upgrades that I am aware of.

Wally

 

[skeezix]

Okay, that makes sense to me. All I carry in my Tacoma's bed is air...