Brakes

Do you guys feel it is worth it to replace the oem brakes with something like a powerstop. I have about 90,000 miles on my original brakes so they lasted a long time. Is there a significant difference ce in performance if I go to an after market Brake pad and rotor or should I just put oems back on and be done with it?

 

You can improve braking for sure. Several threads out there, but this one should have all you need=
https://www.tundras.com/threads/thinking-i-should-get-better-brakes.102662/#post-2653900

 

another https://www.tundras.com/threads/ebc-brakes-thoughts.102636/

 

I put Powerstops on my Tundra and they lasted about 25k, the braking ability reduced quite a bit and the rear rotors were completely shot. The OEM brakes were good for 50k. I would not buy Powerstops again. In fact I bought EBC and Centric for my other vehicles since my experience with Powerstops.

 

Agree with above about a bad experience with powerstop. They were “warped” in less than 15k miles. Stoping power felt worse.

I replaced them with stoptech slotted cryo rotors and ebc yellow pads and it’s a lot better.

 

buybrakes.com will help you out...EBC or Stoptech Rotors are recommended...

 

I'll have to replace pads again soon. Rotors have yet to be turned and I'm at a little over 70k.

Think it'll be fine to upgrade just the rotors?

 

I'd do rotors and pads...or just pads if rotors are good or able to be turned...

 

Rotors are not grooved or warped. My last pad replacement was using PowerStop Z36 stuff.

 

Holy crap, oem rotors that lasted 90k?!? My oem lasted less than 30k , after the second set i went aftermarket. Crossdrilled and slotted rotors and aftrrmarket pads. If they last longer great, if they last the same they at least definitley stop better

 

I don't get the issues people have with the OEM brakes.

Then again, I have lower than average mpg in my truck so YMMV after all to some degree I guess.

There are some serious inconsistencies across Tundra's I feel like.

The OEM brakes are fantastic in my experiences across 2 Tundra's

Of vehicles I've owned or grown up in and around;

3rd gen 4runners OEM brakes sucked. (factory rotors warp easy, too thin by design)
T100 brakes sucked. (factory rotors warp easy, too thin by design)
1st gen Tundra brakes sucked (I think I heard but may be mistaken).
Then they finally got it right for 4runners and Tundra's from what I've seen.

I literally just replaced my front brakes a few weeks ago myself at 78k miles with OEM pads and rotors.

Many stealerships (in my experiences in NoVa) will try to give you junk pads which are around $70+/-
If they offer you cheap pads after you ask for OEM factory pads like they ALL did to me, demand to see the listings they have and demand the factory OEM pads.
They do seem to cost over $100 in my experience, but I felt it was worth it.
They are the best combination I have found.

Aftermarket brakes are great, for race vehicles, show vehicles ect.
In reality they eat pads, make tons of dust, and often warp with regular use.
Because,
They are really designed for vehicles that either don't really use them (show vehicles)
Or race vehicles which change them every race, or close to it.
They don't see the kind of mileage and heat cycles that happen in normal street use.

Literally every vehicle more or less comes with the best brake parts design because they are critically important to work right so manufactures take it very seriously.
It's rare that you can improve on them overall unless moving to race brakes with new calipers too.

That's my take on brakes.

 

I would say what are your needs/how do you use the truck. If OEM worked fine then stick with that. If you're looking for slightly better performance than ebc yellows with stop tech rotors. If ultimate braking is needed the of course a full aftermarket BBK is where it's at.

 

Powerstop sucks…I have their shit on my Tundra now…longer stopping distances and don’t really bite until they are hot.

Don’t know about stop tech and yellow stuff pads but in my opinion OEM rotors and pads is the way to go…

 

Yeah, I think I am going to go with OEM, they worked just fine for me and have lasted 90,000 miles so there's no real reason to switch to switch.

 

Mine may have to do with living in the mountains and towing in the mountains?? Idk. But i do know i cannot make longer than 35k on rotors and pads, oem at least. Hoping for better out of these aftermarkets

 

That will certainly affect your brake longevity/quality and is likely your issue.
Extra weight + hills will wear them out faster for sure.

Also make sure your "OEM" pads are actually the ones they use at the factory, not whatever cheap shit the dealer hands you when you ask for OEM pads.
3 in my area tried to hand me "OEM" pads that were cheaper aftermarket ones when I asked parts dept person for rotors and OEM pads.
I had to literally insist on the factory ones which are way more expensive, but imo way more worth it.
Some of them didn't even carry them but luckily one did, and they had the lowest rotor price in my area to so win/win.

It is hella hilly right around my neighborhood, but much less so 1 mile away in any direction except for one direction which is the same or worse for hills due to geography of my area.
I also don't tow (Yet. Where r u house and boat? LOL) just use my small bed for random household diy crap, vacation/beach gear in the summer, and my fishing kayak most weekends when its warm enough

Also has to do with driving style, I drive like an asshole and am ALWAYS in a hurry, slow people piss me off lol.
That leads me to often be on the gas close to lights and stop signs when I should be coasting more or at least not speeding up.
This leads to hard often braking, which wears pads more and adds heat to rotors.

Also, there is a simple trick for anyone that has problems warping rotors of any kind.
STOP holding your brake pedal at stop lights.
Especially in warm climates/summer/commuting traffic.
Holding the super-hot pads against the hot rotors transfers more heat, a lot more heat, and puts pressure on the rotor in one spot, and leads to warping of rotors more than any other issue.

I either slip in neutral and foot off the brake once someone is behind me at a light (so someone's running brake lights for the next person to see as they approach) only on flat ground obviously.
Otherwise, I go to neutral and the parking brake, or into Park itself to hold on a hilly traffic light area.
Yes, you need to be on the ball to get your shit in gear when the light changes so as not to piss off people behind you but that's what I try to do.

Changing my driving style since I went from my 4runner to the Tundra has made a difference that I can see.
Now if only I could get the mpg to improve with my gentler driving style lol.

Pipe dreams!

BTW, we need some fishing and hunting emoji's, along with more offroad ones.

 

Had bad experience with powerstop too. Front rotors warped about 15k miles and never felt like they stopped very good unless you really were on the brakes hard. Went back to Oem and never happier nice and smooth and good stopping power

 

If I'm not having any issues with my rotors right now is there any reason to replace them? They have 90,000 miles on them, but there is no pulsing or shaking when braking.

 

Im sure oem were oem. My first set of brakes was at 33k on the truck

 

They do get thinner over time, and heat cycle damage.
Especially if you have them turned (milled down to flat) with every brake change.
If they are still within spec, and not warped you are fine to keep using them.
But the thinner they are the easier they will warp so it's a trade off.
Nowadays I usually replace my rotors with every brake change as having them turned to reuse just leads to them warping.
It seems like a lot of vehicles these days the rotors are more or less one time use.

That's my take.
YMMV

 

Righton, so they were like these?

 

The first set that smoked at 33k were what came on the truck when it was new. Second set yes were like those

 

Very good.

Sounds like you may be a candidate for actual upgraded brakes.
Maybe harder pad compound, more metal, which needs to heat up more to grip, and is harder on rotors.

Or just keep doing what you're doing.

 

Well my wallet is certainly going to get lighter now. Do you have a link to that Alcon kit? Front only or all 4 corners?

 

They have both options Front alone or all 4. Pops did all 4 and is just finishing up the install.

https://alconkits.com/component/mijosearch/search?query=tundra

 

Pics of front and rear

 

Yea i upgraded i forget the brand though time will tell

 

Glad I found this thread. I’m due for replacement and was looking at Power Stop.
Gonna keep it OEM.

 

Rotated my tires this weekend and took a look at the brakes. The pads definitely look like they need replacement, but what do you think about the rotors? These are the original rotors with 90,000 miles on them. Not warped at all. Go ahead and replace them when I do the brakes, will they last a little longer and save the money?

 

I'd replace them.