'03 CAMRY Rear Brakes

[Toyota GT-One]

Hello Nation,

I was searching the forums for anything related to this project but, it was kinda hard so I figured it was probably easier to post a new thread, so here it goes:

I have a 2003 Camry LE. The rear brakes are drum brakes and, since I have to replace the front pads very soon, I thought about revamping the whole brake system and part of it was replacing the rear drum brakes with disc brakes. I know it's doable but the question is, how hard? Has anybody here attempted this before? Are there any heavy modifications to be made (ie - drilling, cutting, permanently removing, etc.) to be made or is it just a take off/put on project? I've been looking at the manuals and also to car itself and seems I can use the existent brake line to install new calipers. Then again, I'm not sure. Any serious input is appreciated.

[EchoHoLiK]

Unless you wanna do the rear-disc conversion just for the looks, I'd say you're better off not doing the conversion, which will save you quite a lot of money and time and hassle. But good luck to you if you wanna go ahead with it, it's certainly doable.

And welcome to TN

[Toyota GT-One]

Thanks for welcoming me here, nice user name BTW

To be honest, the change is 60% looks and 40% performance. I just hate the way they look through the rims you know? I thought about installing cross-drilled rotors on the front and that's when I thought "What if...?" So, money and time are always an issue, but the hassle part is what really make or break my decision on doing it. I'm willing to spend the money and invest the time if it will make a difference in performance. What do you think?

[TRD VVTi]

I'm not entirely sure.

You would have to have all the parts looked up for each system to see what's really needed. That includes steering/suspension componants (knuckles basically).

Remember, front brakes are different too. They may have to be changed also if you put discs in the rear.

Now matter how easy it is, I don't think that it's worth it.

I've considered the same thing before.

[EchoHoLiK]

Originally Posted by Toyota GT-One

Thanks for welcoming me here, nice user name BTW

To be honest, the change is 60% looks and 40% performance. I just hate the way they look through the rims you know? I thought about installing cross-drilled rotors on the front and that's when I thought "What if...?" So, money and time are always an issue, but the hassle part is what really make or break my decision on doing it. I'm willing to spend the money and invest the time if it will make a difference in performance. What do you think?

Thanks, and right back at you on the username


Since most of the braking is done via the front brakes, the rear brakes are there mainly for 2 things: A) e-brake application, and B) as a backup in case the front ones fail (due to actual front wheels failure OR malfunction in the master-cylinder that's responsible for the front brakes.

So IMHO, if you really want it for the looks, and if you have the time and money available for such a project, then I'd say "why not." Although I'd doubt you'll see any real benefit in terms of braking performance (when converting the rear-drums into discs). Parts are also cheaper when maintaining drums, plus it's not as complicated as disc when including the e-brake mechanisms.

For the front brakes, I'd say you should avoid cross-drilled, since there's a high potential of cracking and warping. If you don't wanna settle with anything less than a solid-but-vented disc, at most you can go with slotted disc (so it doesn't look as "plain"). And since no matter how much you do to it, it's still a Camry and it ain't gonna be a sports car, it really doesn't warrant the necessity of cross-drilled discs. Again, if you want them for looks and you don't mind forking over the money for them, all the powers to you


To improve braking performance, you can look into an uprated set of brake pads instead of rotors. You'll be surprised what an uprated set of pads will do to the improvement, albeit with a slight compromise of noisier brake-squeel (which is normal btw). Last but not least, the real key to better braking performance is a better set of tires, such as sports/performance tires rather than the OEM all-season crap. Again, it's all "compromises" when you boil down to it

Good luck with your decisions.

[Toyota GT-One]

Originally Posted by EchoHoLiK

Thanks, and right back at you on the username


Since most of the braking is done via the front brakes, the rear brakes are there mainly for 2 things: A) e-brake application, and B) as a backup in case the front ones fail (due to actual front wheels failure OR malfunction in the master-cylinder that's responsible for the front brakes.

So IMHO, if you really want it for the looks, and if you have the time and money available for such a project, then I'd say "why not." Although I'd doubt you'll see any real benefit in terms of braking performance (when converting the rear-drums into discs). Parts are also cheaper when maintaining drums, plus it's not as complicated as disc when including the e-brake mechanisms.

For the front brakes, I'd say you should avoid cross-drilled, since there's a high potential of cracking and warping. If you don't wanna settle with anything less than a solid-but-vented disc, at most you can go with slotted disc (so it doesn't look as "plain"). And since no matter how much you do to it, it's still a Camry and it ain't gonna be a sports car, it really doesn't warrant the necessity of cross-drilled discs. Again, if you want them for looks and you don't mind forking over the money for them, all the powers to you


To improve braking performance, you can look into an uprated set of brake pads instead of rotors. You'll be surprised what an uprated set of pads will do to the improvement, albeit with a slight compromise of noisier brake-squeel (which is normal btw). Last but not least, the real key to better braking performance is a better set of tires, such as sports/performance tires rather than the OEM all-season crap. Again, it's all "compromises" when you boil down to it

Good luck with your decisions.

The e-brake is the one thing I left out of the equation. Somebody had mention the warping and cracking of cross-drilled rotors and I thought it depended on quality or proper break-in, but I'm starting to err on the side of practicality and I guess you are absolutely right about the Camry being a Camry, so I guess I'll settle for the fancier pads. Any recommendations?

BTW, thanks for the detailed input. It really helps. This is the exact reason why I joined the forum and why I decided to probe other Toyota owners' experiences. Thank you much.

[Toyota GT-One]

Thanks for the input. Nice Firebird there... What's the HP on it? And where did you get that lip body kit for your Camry?

[EchoHoLiK]

Originally Posted by Toyota GT-One

The e-brake is the one thing I left out of the equation. Somebody had mention the warping and cracking of cross-drilled rotors and I thought it depended on quality or proper break-in, but I'm starting to err on the side of practicality and I guess you are absolutely right about the Camry being a Camry, so I guess I'll settle for the fancier pads. Any recommendations?

BTW, thanks for the detailed input. It really helps. This is the exact reason why I joined the forum and why I decided to probe other Toyota owners' experiences. Thank you much.

You're welcome, GT-One I'm no expert but I'm glad to help.

I did a search on "brake pads" within the Gen5&6 subforum and found these 2 threads that are the most relevent, but there might be more. So you should read through them for your research.

Brake pad recomendations gen 5.5
&
Brake Pads?


Some reckon the OEM pads will suffice, but most others recommended EBC green brake pads. There might be more recommendations but I didn't read through them, although that should be a good starting point for you. Good luck with your search

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by Toyota GT-One

Thanks for the input. Nice Firebird there... What's the HP on it? And where did you get that lip body kit for your Camry?

You're more than welcome.

Thanks for the compliment. I'm not entirely sure what the horsepower is. It's probably 330-345 and about 300 at the wheels. The longblock is original with 243,000 miles on it so I don't really expect much right now.

The "lip"/body kit came on the car new. It's an SET car, made as a show car for Lowe's Motor Speedway. It's really just an SET Special Edition Camry. SET is SouthEastern Toyota.

Welcome to TN.

[CharmCityES]

the XLE, LE V6 and SE models all come standard with 4 wheel disc brakes, so if u can source a wrecked one then the parts should come easy....you will need the whole rear suspension arm setup in addition to the brake assemblies themeselves....this is entirely doable, for i know many people who have done this on corollas and civics....its just a matter of how much time and effort do you wanna devote for small gains in braking feel?
i own an 03 SE whit 4wheel disc/ABS, and i cant tell you it stops a little better than an LE with front disc/rear drums, but not too much different.....my highest reccomendations are buy a set of better brake pads such as EBC greenstuff or HAWK HPS, and a set of upgraded blank ventalated rotors such as brembos, and a good set of sports tires....remember, you wont ever have the braking force of a sports car, because it is still a camry
good luck!

[titleistprov1823]

First Poster here. I saw someone said that cross-drilled rotors are not the way to go due to cracking and warping. I'm trying to put a nice set of rotors on my 03 LE. Any recommendations? When I do replace the rotors should I replace anything else? I just put new ceramic pads no more than two months ago. I dont do a lot of heavy braking. Would the cross drilled rotors be fine or should I go with the Slotted?

[warpedrotor]

Originally Posted by titleistprov1823

First Poster here. I saw someone said that cross-drilled rotors are not the way to go due to cracking and warping. I'm trying to put a nice set of rotors on my 03 LE. Any recommendations? When I do replace the rotors should I replace anything else? I just put new ceramic pads no more than two months ago. I dont do a lot of heavy braking. Would the cross drilled rotors be fine or should I go with the Slotted?

I just replaced my origional brakes with Mountain rotors and ceramic pads. (04 LE) Braking has much improved, soft pedal is all but gone, The origional brakes with 90,000 km were due, rotor vents rusted and clogging, brakes pulsing. I cleaned the rear shoes and inside drum surfaces with a bit of light sand paper to take the glaze off, the outside of the drums had rust flaking off that i removed with a grinder. The rust was scraping inside the backing plate making enough noise to prompt me to check everything. If you do this work yourself, make sure the hub surfaces are totally cleaned of flakey rust before you put the rotors on, a bit of rust may cause the rotor not to run true and make the brakes pulse. Do not grind however, light wire brushing will do.

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by titleistprov1823

First Poster here. I saw someone said that cross-drilled rotors are not the way to go due to cracking and warping. I'm trying to put a nice set of rotors on my 03 LE. Any recommendations? When I do replace the rotors should I replace anything else? I just put new ceramic pads no more than two months ago. I dont do a lot of heavy braking. Would the cross drilled rotors be fine or should I go with the Slotted?

Cross drilled and/or slotted rotors will not help your braking performance. Go with OEM or similar quality replacements.