Brake Questions

I have a 2009 tundra limited. I feel like when I press the brake pedal there seems to be a lot of distance before the brakes actually start to bite. I bled the brakes and the fluid is in good shape. Is this normal for the second GEN?

Second question is has anyone actually put larger rotors, calipers and pads on their tundra? I'm just wondering if there's some way to make this thing stop a little better.


Thank you!

 

No need for a big brake kit. You can see significant improvement with good rotors and pads. Cryo treated rotors and good bite, low dust pads like Akebono work very well. Centric or Stop tech for cyro rotors.

Brake pedal goes down more as pad wear so it may be time for some new components.

 

If pedal travel is excessive, there could be a few issues. Even after bleeding the brakes, you may still have air trapped in the ABS module. The module can be cycled by a tech at the dealership or you can find a stretch of gravel road and give the truck some sharp brake inputs to engage the ABS (recommend doing it at relatively low speeds).

It can also be from rotors that are warped/have excessive runout. If this is the case, the rotor pushes the pad further away from braking surface as it wobbles around making the pads travel further to engage the rotor when braking. Because the pads have to travel further, the caliper pistons have to travel further and the pedal, in turn, travels further before engaging. I had a GM truck years ago that did this

You could also have soft brake lines that are swelling. I would check the condition of the rubber lines connected to the calipers at each corner, as well as the lines from the body to there rear axle.

As for brake upgrades, OE has served me well for lots of towing and hauling but there are lots of aftermarket options. The tradeoff is typically pad life and dust, as well sometimes more noise. Or there's the Alcon BBK if you want some SERIOUS braking performance. If you decide to try some aftermarket pads, make sure to swap rotors with them - either OE rotors or aftermarket. The pad shape is most likely close to stock but not identical, which will bed differently than the stock pads, so you will want a new bedding surface (ie - rotor).

 

How old is the brake fluid?

 

The rubber brake hoses may be getting old and stretching

 

Can I run with your thread? Its not a complete hijack cause I have a 2010 that stops well enough, but the PO used cheapest
stuff he could find and I have chipped and cracked rotors at 2000 kms of driving.

@OldGuy03 from the other thread, here is what I think you put on your truck.
More Information for POWER STOP K2813 (rockauto.com) These are the Z23 Revolution rotors and pads. I like the
carbon ceramic pads. I think these are probably the best offered. Since we aren't talking calipers there are no
core charges which is good for cause I ship to Canada and won't get that back. These are $424 for all 4 corners.

I like these ones, @tallguy240
R1 Concepts but for Tow/Hauling with they claim better brakes. $457 for all 4 corners
More Information for R1 CONCEPTS WBVH276006 (rockauto.com)

If I was concerned about stock and saving money I'd go with these as they do have a ceramic pad which is what you
want for longevity and heat resistance with clean operation. $266
More Information for POWER STOP SC2813 (rockauto.com)

So MY question is I've read that there is not a whole lot of benefit to slotted rotors, and they can fail to clean as well.
I find it interesting these R1 concepts are being marketed for offroad with that tech question.
My inclination is the R1 won't be as clean as they don't state exactly what the pad construction is,

@tallguy240 I'd say you probably need pads at the least, and check your rotor condition. I tend to personally replace pads
early long before they wear down too far, it reduces heat and rotor face wear and pads are cheap compared to rotors.
My landcruiser rotors are quite old but pads are new, and keeping pads up to date also keeps calipers from over extending
the pistons and mine seem to last quite a long time too. It works for me.
I'm going to order the Z23 Revolution kit I think, see how it goes. Curious to see how good these slotted rotors really are.

 

I got the z36, but if you never tow I think the z23 is a great upgrade.

 

I went back and reviewed. I hadn't scrolled down far enough and now I have. The Z36 are on their way now! I think
good choice, thanks for your input. I will be towing.

Enough spending for one month. I've got a pair of solid pinion spacers coming up from Utah for the 60 ARB installations. Going to be a fun month of working on
trucks when I get home.

 

Truck mod money is always tight, except when it comes to safety upgrades and regular maintenance. After having mine on for a bit I think you'll be happy with the purchase. I know I sure am.