Front Brakes need replacing- what to buy? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

riteshjain · 05-31-2005, 11:39 AM

Hello,
Mine is a 98 Camry LE 2.2L. I just bought it used. Its front brakes need replacing. I have the following questions regarding that and any help would be appreciated:
1. Do I need brake pads or shoes? - Can I visibly inspect them and tell which ones it currently has?
2. If I need pads, I found that ceramic pads are much better than organic. But if my rear brakes are organic, can I put ceramic in the front brakes? Again, can I visibly inspect them and tell if the current ones are organic or ceramic?

Thanks.

Diehonda · 05-31-2005, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riteshjain

Hello,
Mine is a 98 Camry LE 2.2L. I just bought it used. Its front brakes need replacing. I have the following questions regarding that and any help would be appreciated:
1. Do I need brake pads or shoes? - Can I visibly inspect them and tell which ones it currently has?
2. If I need pads, I found that ceramic pads are much better than organic. But if my rear brakes are organic, can I put ceramic in the front brakes? Again, can I visibly inspect them and tell if the current ones are organic or ceramic?

Thanks.

Pads in the front, Yes you can visually inspect, maybe even with the tires still on. If the pad backing is really close to the rotor, replace them. Ceramic are good, organic have more dust and sqweel. I think they are shoes in the back. And it doesn't make a difference vs front to back. Two bolts and a C clamp to push the caliper back. Bleed. Done. Ten minutes of work.

Terriyaki · 05-31-2005, 12:06 PM

I don't know much about brakes but, ceramic is better than organic, organic leaves alot of brake dust, which for rims is bad, cause it makes them dirty. Usually you need new pads, i dont think you need shoes unless u want to upgrade, or they are in bad condition. Your last question you can mix and match, if you want, i don't see a problem in that. Aren't the rear brakes in camrys drums though?

BlueFusion6851 · 05-31-2005, 12:25 PM

i'd say brembo ceramic, just b/c of the brake dust issues, which for me i have to clean my alloys at least once a weeks to make it look good.... and i've heard mixed reviews on ebc greenstuff pads

riteshjain · 05-31-2005, 12:39 PM

Thanks for the messages. Its definitely ceramic pads for me. I am looking at partsamerica.com and they have atleast 24 different types ranging from $30 all the way to $75. I also looked at ebay and found one for $35. Can you guys recommend a brand and also, what's the way to decide between all these brands?
Thanks.

***Knailgun*** · 05-31-2005, 01:29 PM

Try the "greenstuff" pads.....the hold like Michael Jackson holds a underage boy.....TIGHT

Mike Gerber · 05-31-2005, 01:33 PM

I have a 98 XLE 4 cylinder. I went through this exercise about a year ago. I first used the Raybestos semimetalic pads in the fronts. I had been using them for years with no problems. I also put on new rotors. This time the pads made so much noise and were so grabby, I couldn't stand it. I complained to the place I bought all the parts form and they said if I am not happy, they would gladly swap them out for full ceramics. I took them up on their offer. It made a night and day difference in the pedal feel, the amount of noise (now none at all) and also. as others have said, the amount of brake dust that collected on the front wheels. I also talked to the Raybestos tech department and they basically told me without actually saying so that as of November of 2001 they could no longer use any asbestos in brake pads so they have been "experimenting" with "different compounds".

In short, I would just go over to Pep Boys and buy the Rabestos full ceramic pads. They should run about $50. I also put them on my 94 XLE 4 cylinder a couple of months later. In addition, if you need any help, refer to the Generation 3 service manual at the top of this forum. The front brakes are the same on the generation 3's and 4's.

Mike

Cyorke · 05-31-2005, 02:02 PM

Hte only thing that has been left out I can see so far is replacing or turning the rotors. It is not necesary to do either but sometimes if you put new pads on and do not turn or replace the rotors you could end up with brake squeal, even with a good set of pads. Not really any need to inspect them to see which ones you have the front are discs and the rear are drums unless it is V6. Actually correct me if I am wrong but dont the XLE's come with rear discs also. You can have the rotors turned at pretty much any parts store, autozone, Oreillys, pep boys, etc. If they measure them to trun them and find they are to thin you will need to replace for obvious reasons.

Mike Gerber · 05-31-2005, 02:53 PM

Cyorke,

The generation 3 4 cylinder XLE's only came with 4 wheel discs when equiped with antilock brakes, which was an option back then. The generation 4 4 cylinder XLE's all have front disc and rear drums. I'm assuming the technology wasn't available to do antilocks on front disc rear drum brake cars back when the generation 3 cars were being built. This is just my educated guess.

I own both a generation 3 4 cylinder XLE and a generation 4 4 cylinder XLE. Believe me, you can really tell the difference between 4 wheel discs and front disc/rear drum when you go from car to car.

Mike

***Your Uncle Moe*** · 05-31-2005, 03:09 PM

Ceramic pads are awesome. They are quiet as hell. Brake dust inst really an issue for me. You gonna get it regardless of what u use.

And DONT FORGET THE C CLAMP! And you only need to remove the bottom caliper bolt and flip it up.

Cyorke · 05-31-2005, 03:25 PM

Thanks Mike,

Like I said it has been awhile since I was at Toyota so couldnt remember for sure, just know for sure my Gen3 V6 has four wheel discs. I am still trying to figure out how my 94 Camry LE has discs all the way around but my 02 Sienna XLE still has drums in the rear. DOes not make sense to me at all. I know there is a reason jsut seems like in that time span they would have gone to all disc.

riteshjain · 05-31-2005, 05:17 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I still am in a fix as to which pads to buy. I found these on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...hippingPayment

Do any of you have an experience with these pads? If not, do you have any comments on these?
Thanks.

skewe · 06-01-2005, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riteshjain

Thanks for all the responses. I still am in a fix as to which pads to buy. I found these on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...hippingPayment

Do any of you have an experience with these pads? If not, do you have any comments on these?
Thanks.

stay away from nobrand pads.
u do not know if they are going to be reliable, noisy or dusty..

stay with the bigger brands that were mentioned in this post. After all, you will be using the pads for the next 20k miles or so. 10-20$ difference for a no brand as opposed to a reliable and branded pads.

whocares04 · 06-01-2005, 11:33 AM

hell i went to autozone and bought ceramics for $50 for the pads in the rear and there is no squeal and very little brake dust...i believe they are moroso brand...

i dont think u need any higher performance pads unless u drive that way but i drive like that and my rear pads are still fine.