2002 Sienna XLE brake pads

[schallmo]

Hi - i will be replacing my 2002 sienna xle front brake pad this weekend. Any suggestions on brand of pad that is a best fit product? I've seen prices from $70 from Toyota parts dept, to $32 from Napa

[sl2eggplant]

Sounds like you plan on changing the brake pads yourself. At the retail auto stores they have 3 common flavors - cheap, silver, gold, and (4th) specialty pads.

For pure stopping performance, the silver or gold will work fine. Since the van is heavier (~4200 lbs), the gold rated pads vary and can come in both semi-metallic or ceramic, it all depends on which auto store. Semi-metallics have the best stopping performance followed very closely by the ceramics. The difference is small and negligible. Note that the composition of the pad materials vary among all pads (semi-metallic and ceramic).

I would pick the semi-metallic since they offer the best overall stopping performance without analyzing what each pad is composed of (i.e. hours of research) .... in other words, you cannot go wrong with the semi-metallic pad.

I like Autozone since they have a generous lifetime policy. Advance Auto has the same policy but I have never purchased the pads there so I don't have first hand experience.


Other factors that may or may not be important to your
- dust
- rotor life
- $20 (silver) vs $35 (gold)

[Black Sunshine]

I am a huge fan of ceramic pads because they tend to last longer. Which ever you chose you must pay up. If you get the cheap ones you will be right back in there changing the pads again in about 15000 miles. I think that I've been getting around 40000 miles on my ceramics. My wife brakes very aggressively. I like to get the brakes from a part store because they will give you a warranty. This basically means that you will get two pairs of brakes instead of one. Toyota doesn't warranty any parts so I don't buy brakes from them.

[schallmo]

Thank you for the information. It was very helpful. I chose Wagner ThermoQuiet ceramic pads from Advance Auto, just under $50. They are quiet and are providing good stopping power. I'll be able to judge the wear as we go along.