My 2004 Toyota Siena minivan needs new front brakes and rotors. I did the brakes several years ago so I'm going to do it again. However, I need rotors now too (138,000 miles). Any suggestions pro or con would be welcome. I'm not fast but this is one thing I can do.

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
My 2004 Toyota Siena minivan needs new front brakes and rotors. I did the brakes several years ago so I'm going to do it again. However, I need rotors now too (138,000 miles). Any suggestions pro or con would be welcome. I'm not fast but this is one thing I can do.

Question: Why are your replacing the rotors? Simply because of the miles, or are they worn down to the point they might not pass inspection?

And if they really need replacing, get them at the same place I get my pads and rotors.

Autozone.

Have not replaced rotors on any of our current 3 vehicles. They are just fine. Wife's 2000 Buick just went through annual inspection, no problems. Don't remember when I did the brakes on that. My truck (2000) I just went through the brakes while troubleshooting a bad wheel speed sensor. My "new" car was purchased new in 2011, has about 59,000 miles on it, still all original brake parts. But I don't do much stop and go driving.

To reiterate, I would buy the pads and rotors at autozone. But the rotors only if they won't meet specs, or perhaps they are warped.

Spend the extra money on the Wagners. The duralast will cover your tire in brake dust. I always go with wagners and they have lifetime replacement.

Dont put junk on your Toyota. Buy OEM rotors and pads from an online Toyota dealer if your trying to save a buck.

I'm a Raybestos fan but I've heard great things about the Napa line.

Check www.rockauto.com for some great prices. If you search Google, you can frequently find 5% off coupons for Rock Auto. They have it broken down into tiers of economy, daily driver and performance.

Best to combo shop to see if you need wiper blades, air filters, etc.

Rotors just aren't like they were back in the day. Seems they're made to be expendable these days changing them out instead of getting cut like the old days.

For imports Centric rotors and Akebono pads. I've had performance pads and they are too dirty and noisy for me.

We have a '09 VW and a '99 Volvo - I used Zimmerman 'Z-coat' rotors on the VW recently. I was going to do the same on the Volvo but cheaped-out and used Bosch 'QuietCast'. Both have worked out fine thus far. I put Akebono Euro ceramic pads on both. This completely ended black brake dust production on both cars. They still dust, but it's very light in color (almost tan?) and it doesn't want to stick around on the wheels. They seem to be lasting very well. Flushed both hydraulic systems as well at the same time. Both cars are completely quiet when braking and have a little less grabby feel than OEM. Braking performance has a new linearity that I like quite a lot. You get just what you ask for, no more, no less.

Aftermarket usually offers a few levels of quality when it comes to rotors. Off the top of my head they ranged from $45 to $140 for my old Expedition. You'll get what you pay for, with the top of the line pretty close to OEM.

If you didn't last time this time you really need to replace all the " hardware" involved with the caliper slides including the rubber. This will help insure they don't seize and wear out only one side of your pads. You may or may not need lube check because if unneeded it'll just attract dirt causing early failure.

I kinda like Ceramic pads, much cleaner. I'm pretty easy on brakes here in the flat lands.

Centric rotors, wagner pads, rockauto vendor.

Lots of choices. For my Toyota, I went with OEM rotors and Akebono Performance pads. akebono pads are stock but I upgraded to the performance pads. Happy with them - grippy especially when warmed up.

quote:

Originally posted by Elk Hunter:
Question: Why are your replacing the rotors? Simply because of the miles, or are they worn down to the point they might not pass inspection?

Good question. They are warped I believe. I get a pretty good vibration braking at certain times. I'll let up and then they will catch differently and not vibrate.

Thanks everyone for responding.

I tried RAybesto on my 03 Odyssey because OEM were crazy expensive. First pads lasted 10K and the rotors needed turning. After another 10k, they were vibrating etc. I cut my losses and spent $250 on Honda rotors and pads and haven't had problems since. In fact, I only use Honda pads.

If your Toyota stuff has been good, go with it. A few bucks now spread over a few years is worth the costs.

Our mechanic, whose judgement on these matters I trust completely, only uses OEM parts.

quote:

Originally posted by PeteF:
Centric rotors, wagner pads, rockauto vendor.

I serviced the front brakes on my 2007 Honda last fall, and this is exactly what I did. I've been pleased w/ the results, especially w/ the Wagner ThermoQuiet ceramic pads.

Rockauto is probably the most popular online vendor for auto parts. If in doubt about what to get, go w/ something w/ a heart next to it. The heart indicates it's one of their best sellers. You can also research online forums and see what other owners recommend for your make and model.

You can't go wrong w/ OEM, but it will always cost more. It's not as if Toyota, Honda, et al. make every single part in their cars. Many of the aftermarket brands manufacture parts for auto companies. Often the only difference between aftermarket and OEM is the box they come in, and OEM costing twice as much.

Brembo
NAPA Gold
OEM

I am also a fan of PBR but anymore they are way to difficult to source and I don't even bother trying to find them anymore.

Akebono are who makes Toyota brakes for the most part anymore. Toyotas have some of the worst brakes you will find from the factory. Though most of the problem is Toyota really undersizes their brakes in my opinion especially on the Sienna.

Our Highlander did far better when I put a combo of Brembo and Bosch on the front. Brembo did not make rotors for the Highlander for some reason. The Bosch rotors warped pretty quick and I would not use them again and would go with NAPA.

Our Sienna we just picked up had brand new brakes when we purchased it with only 35k miles. Maybe the dealer was being overly cautious replacing them that early but maybe they only get about 35k on factory stuff. We'll see.

The inlaws Tundra eats brakes like freaking candy!

Put these on the Rear of our 2001 Yukon XL and love them.

https://www.bendix.com.au/cont...endix-brakes-4wd-suv



Match Quality Rotor with Quality Pads for best performance

https://parts.conicellitoyotaofconshohocken.com/

I've ordered several OEM Toyota and Lexus parts from this site. Shipping on heavy things is expensive, as you might expect.

Pads...go with Wagner ThermoQuiets, period. Best over the counter pads out there. No squeaks and no excessive brake dust. Last a long time. Been using these in multiple vehicles for many years and have never had a single complaint.

Rotors shop around and choose your $$ for your budget. I usually go middle or upper end on rotors.

For years now I have bought all auto parts from Advance Auto unless it's an OEM only part.

Discount codes for Advance....
P20 - 20% off
TRT30 - 30% off (iirc you need $50 total first for this discount)
Their is a 40% off discount code at times. Google it and see if there is a current version. Usually have to spend $100 or more though.

Sign up for their Perk Awards also. You get a $5.00 kick per certain dollar amount spent. It's a good program.

Rockauto will have, usually, far better prices in pads and rotors. But once you add their shipping and taxes you usually end up at same or more price point as the local Advance Auto after the above discount codes.

I do all my own stunts. Every time I have a vehicle repair I do a price comparison between the following....
Advance Auto
Auto Zone
NAPA
OEM
O'Reilly
Rock Auto

99.9% of the time Advance Auto has the best prices, especially with discount codes. They are also 99.9% in stock. Free ship to store. Free ship to home at certain dollar point.

I am not affiliated with or work for Advance Auto. These are all my personal experiences. Good Luck.

OEM rotors with any nicer pad. On my Civic I run Advance Auto gold pads. For a DD or basic driving, they grip just fine and are very low dust. Use TRT30 to get 30% off ordering online.

I personally have had great luck with Carquest rotors and the Wearever Platinum pads from Advance Auto.

Whatever you go with, get ceramic pads. It's worth the extra few dollars.