Brakes

4029 Views 40 Replies 25 Participants Last post by Sony, Feb 26, 2006

Count

Discussion Starter · Dec 16, 2005 (Edited)

There's been some discussion about the anti-lock brakes in the new Tacomas. I'm fine with the ABS system.

But what I don't like is the spongy feel when pressing the pedal. I get in my wife's Accord after driving my truck and the difference is amazing and it always takes me a while to adjust.

Any way to adjust the brakes or pedal to remove this sponginess and make the brakes more sensitive? I just don't like having to really get my foot into the pedal in order for the brakes to stop the truck.

FWIW, I've noticed that pumping once or twice helps. But it's still not sensitive enough to suit me.

What do you think?

1 - 20 of 41 Posts

Silver-Bolt

· #2 · Dec 16, 2005

I have the same complaint. More than likely a set of braided stainless lines will cure the problem.

WunderWagen

· #3 · Dec 17, 2005

Yep, same here. Considering my DC has the 4-piston calipers up front I am surprised how spongy they feel. I am going to try the TRD brake pads and having the system rebled. Does anyone make stainless brake lines or upgraded rotors for our trucks yet?

David

05XRunner

· #4 · Dec 17, 2005

http://www.buybrakes.com/stoptech/apps-Toyota.html

it has them listed here for the Xrunner...I dont know if the lines would be any different between the 2

IndigoTaco05

· #5 · Dec 17, 2005

I hate the brakes on this truck too.
Way to spongy at the top of the pedal.
I hope someone cancure this or has a fix.
They feel worse than my old 72 chevelle.
Pretty sad when you have to press half way down on the brake pedal to feel like you are starting to stop at all.
What POS setup.

rhunter

· #6 · Dec 17, 2005

brakes

I have the same complaint and I'm thinking that bleeding might help. Feels like air in the line... Pumping seems to help.

I did see a "Big Brake Kit" on a TRD parts page.. Anyone know about this?

now I can't find the website.

Silver-Bolt

· #7 · Dec 17, 2005

The spongy feeling is coming from the rubber flex lines. Under pressure they expand just enough for the pedal to travel just a little. This is the spongy feel. Braided lines cures this. Pretty much a standard mod on all my rigs. So far it has cured it 100% of the time. I believe it's Wheelers that has braided lines on their site. Seems like they were $65 for the front and $65 for the rear. Ordering mine Monday.

81shark

· #8 · Dec 18, 2005

65 and 65....egads....the last set i bought was like 80 for all 4

anyways, i don't have an issue with the brakes. the feel fine to me.

05XRunner

· #9 · Dec 18, 2005

rhunter said:
I have the same complaint and I'm thinking that bleeding might help. Feels like air in the line... Pumping seems to help.

I did see a "Big Brake Kit" on a TRD parts page.. Anyone know about this?

now I can't find the website.

http://www.urdusa.com/product_info.php?cPath=9_10&products_id=1230100008
there is the 4wd kit

NESW20

· #10 · Dec 18, 2005

i have no complaints with my brakes. they're not as good as my MR2's brakes, but then again, i don't have $200 brake pads on my taco.

try bleeding your brakes and possibly adjusting your rear brakes. if they are out of adjustment, you'll get a low pedal.

-Mike

G

· #11 · Dec 18, 2005

Nice to see I am not the only one who hates these poor brakes. Try stopping sometime while towing a boat.

Count

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 18, 2005

These damn brakes feel inadequate stopping the truck, itself. I can only imagine what kind of three-ring circus act it would be trying to bring both truck and boat to a stop in any reasonable distance...much less an emergency stop.

My old man warped the rotors in his Tundra making an emergency stop while towing his little fishing boat.

I'm both surprised and delighted to hear about the brake line fix. If the lines are able to swell like that, thus affecting the pedal, seems logical to assume that these rubber lines could burst.

Is the armored-brake-line swap an easy thing? Or is this something the stealership mechanics would have to do?

I tell you -- I can live with the rear drum brakes. They're supposed to be better for off-roading. But this truck should stop on a friggin' dime! No excuse for such poor brakes.

The Chevy Silverado pickups of the 1980s had much better, and more sensitive brakes, than this new Tacoma.

This armored brake line thing is something the Tacomas should come with from factory...especially the TRD Off-Road versions.

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81shark

· #13 · Dec 18, 2005

replacing brake hoses is an easy afternoon job.

worthywads

· #14 · Dec 18, 2005

I see mixed reviews of braided lines. Braided lines seem to have a shorter life than oem because dirt can and will get inside the braiding and wears out the inner hose, but you have no visible signs that anything is going on.

Here's a site discussing SS lines.

http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Performance/brakelines.htm

I may be alone on this one, but I like the Tacomas brake pedal response and overal braking ability. The last thing I want is a sensitive brake pedal, anyone can make a power brake setup that throws you toward the dash if you not careful, my old beater 73 Fury wagon could do that, that's not what I want.

Silver-Bolt

· #15 · Dec 18, 2005

worthywads said:
I see mixed reviews of braided lines. Braided lines seem to have a shorter life than oem because dirt can and will get inside the braiding and wears out the inner hose, but you have no visible signs that anything is going on.

Here's a site discussing SS lines.

http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Performance/brakelines.htm

I may be alone on this one, but I like the Tacomas brake pedal response and overal braking ability. The last thing I want is a sensitive brake pedal, anyone can make a power brake setup that throws you toward the dash if you not careful, my old beater 73 Fury wagon could do that, that's not what I want.

Most DOT approved braided line have a vinyl coating to prevent dirt/grime build up.

NESW20

· #16 · Dec 18, 2005

i'm with worthywads. maybe the rest of you brake later/harder than i do on a consistent basis, but never once have i been worried that i couldn't stop. try braking earlier and using less pedal pressure.

-Mike

05XRunner

· #17 · Dec 18, 2005

yea i dont get what it is either. I think they work just fine. They dont feel like they are not gonna stop me or anything. I also got the small 10.8" 2piston brakes

stevenh563

· #18 · Dec 18, 2005

I really dont think bleeding the brakes will help, I just dont see how so many trucks could come from the factory with air in the lines. Mine feel spongy when you first mash the brakes but if you dig in it seems to stop fine. A little too spongy for my taste but I can live with it as long as it stops quick enough when I mash down on 'em.

G

· #19 · Dec 19, 2005

I drive like an old man now so it isn't as if I am some crazy punk driver that always has to stand on the brakes to stop. The brakes just do NOT stop this truck well at all. Mushy is being kind. You have to push and push and push to stop even under normal driving conditions. With my boat it feels like the truck is never going to stop.

05XRunner

· #20 · Dec 19, 2005

NH05TACOMA said:
I drive like an old man now so it isn't as if I am some crazy punk driver that always has to stand on the brakes to stop. The brakes just do NOT stop this truck well at all. Mushy is being kind. You have to push and push and push to stop even under normal driving conditions. With my boat it feels like the truck is never going to stop.

get it checked out cause I DEF dont have that problem at all.

1 - 20 of 41 Posts

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