I am not very happy with my 05 XRS breaking and I was wondering if I can swap front breaking sistem? I want bigger rotors and pads. Anyone did that? I was thinking Tundra breaks but I dont know if they would fit, if not too big for my car? I am open to any suggestions. Thanks
You should be able to put bigger rotors as long as they clear the wheel. The pads make a big difference too.
I think the Tundra brakes will be too big, but I might be wrong.
The brakes are essentially lifted from the Celica GT-S - so upgrade to those brakes would also potentially fit the Matrix.
The Matrix XRS has a pretty sophisticated braking system - what exactly is making unhappy with the brakes? Possible that you have a problem that has nothing to do with the brakes. Need more info.
Thank you all for the replies!
No, I am not towing. I started noticing that my breaking is not as good as before, after I put drilled/slotted rotors and went to Autozone and bought the most expensive ceramic break pads, Duralast Gold i believe. My new rotors I see now are not evenly worn out. I see 3 small lines left from the pads on the rotors, They are going bad way too fast. I have them for a year. Should I just put my original rotors to see if the breaking will inprove or should I go with softer pads?
^ he's right, stock rotors are fine, cross drilled and/or slotted rotors are actually worse for street use as there's less surface area to actually brake with, their only benefit is during repeated heavy braking when they can dissipate heat better... if you're just normal driving you have no use for them
So I am taking from the posts in here that it's best to get genuine Toyota brakes? The reason I ask is because at inspection last month at a local garage they said my front brakes will need replaced soon as the one is a 5/32 and the other 4/32. I have noticed since then (a week ago) that when I brake there is a little "shaking" for lack of a better term. While I would love to go to the dealership and have them do the work and use genuine parts, financially, I'm afraid of what they may tell me. I am currently unemployed and will finish school next month and would like to get it taken care of ath the dealership, but how can I know if I do take it to the dealership they won't try to take advantage of me? I had the car in to the dealership at 11,000 miles shortly after I got the car (I got it used with 9K), because of some squealing. They tried to tell me then that I needed brakes and it would cost a few hundred dollars! I declined the work because I just couldn't see the brakes needing replaced with 11,000 miles. I have since added an additional 54,000 miles on with no problems. The car still runs fine aside from the little bit of shaking. Any ideas?
Toyota OEM brake parts give you a good mix of quiet and smooth operation + reasonable lifespan.
Given that the pads are around 3-4mm in thickness - you probably still have a few months of life left in them. Just keep in mind, the further you push maintenance items like this, the more likely you'll run into a more expensive repair.
Brake pads themselves are relatively inexpensive - it is the labor that makes up most of the costs in replacing the pads. This is something that can be done by a seasoned DIYer - but can be tough for a newbie that hasn't worked on brakes before.
Might be able to get an independant shop install Toyota pads cheaper than the dealership. As for being taken advantage of - can happen anywhere you go. The best way to protect yourself is to be well informed on what makes up your braking system and the components involved.
Could go from a simple pad replacement with a light rotor turning - requiring new pads and rotors. Vibration in the brake system could be an indication that the rotors are lightly warped and/or the pads are so thin that they are not able to absorb heat as well as they could. If the vibration is severe enough and or the rotors are too thin to turn down, you might be looking at new rotors as well.
Prices vary quite a bit - I've been quoted anywhere from $200 an axle set for pad replacement and rotor turning, to over $500 for new pads and rotors. I ended up changing them myself - OEM pads are about $40 a set, new rotors (Brembo plain vented rotors - $50 each), $10 in high temperature grease and about an hour of my time - saved myself over $350.
Fishexpo101 is obviously very knowledgeable and thanks for your replies! Mooch, if you dont want to spend money on a break job and if you have time of course, you could buy breaks from autozone or pepboys. The breaks come with a lifetime warranty so whenever you need breaks again you just take the old ones and they will give you new for free. Then search on youtube how to change the pads on your matrix, although it is almost identical for all cars, and do it yourself. Yes, it will take you a little longer the firt time but it is fun doing stuff yourself I would say for front breaks first timer would need about 2 hours. You will save money like that. Good luck!
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Rotors swap?
I would say for front breaks first timer would need about 2 hours. You will save money like that. Good luck!
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