1997 Camry Brakes

[dbbd022]

Hello all.

I'm getting ready to do the front and rear brakes. I've had shops do it in the past - not because I'm incapable, just didn't have the time.

Does anybody know if the original brakes were semi-metallic or ceramic? I'm planning on just turning the rotors if I can get away with it. They were replaced at the last brake job.

Also, I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations on pads and rotors (worst case scenario).

Thanks

[dcbc991]

Not sure but I think they were semi-metallic. Others can chime in if I'm wrong. Brakes are easy to do on the Camry. I still need to do the rears on mine but when I did the fronts, I replaced the rotors with 'Wearever' from Advanced Auto and bought Monroe brand semi-metallic pads. No complaints from this setup.

When I inspected the rears, I recall having difficulty getting the rear hubs off and had to by 2 metric bolts to screw into the pilot holes to force the hubs off the axle. Will be doing the rears soon and will probably replace the rear hubs with whatever is cheapest.

Good luck.

[JohnGD]

Akebono ProAct ceramic pads. Akebono is an OEM brand. Rotors should last about 200K miles with these ceramic pads.

You can and should resurface the rotors if the old pads are not ProAct. Next time if you need new rotors ~$20 Centric C-Tek should do fine, or their ~$40 Premium rotors with powder coated hubs if you have rust problems in the region.

I'd also flush the brake fluid with a low moisture activity fluid like Castrol GT LMA or Valvoline Synthetic.

Check the wear patterns and the anchor pins. You should be able to move them very easy with 2-finger pressure.

Originally Posted by dbbd022

Does anybody know if the original brakes were semi-metallic or ceramic? I'm planning on just turning the rotors if I can get away with it. They were replaced at the last brake job.

Also, I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations on pads and rotors (worst case scenario).

Thanks

[dbbd022]

Thanks for the info!

I would have overlooked the screws to get the drums off - I'll pick a couple up just in case I do need them.

[tbalon]

I second the vote for Akebono ProAct ceramic pads....
Found these on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230685255054...#ht_1110wt_983
Good price and make sure you get the ACT562 as these are the ProActs. Akebono also makes a lesser ceramic that is not the ProActs for a lesser price.