2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

[rndn]

My trucks brakes started getting spongy so I took it to the dealer for service. They told me the rear brakes needed adjustment. I asked why the automatic adjuster wasn't adjusting the brakes as I use the emergency brake quite often. I stated that when the e-brake is applied it is supposed to adjust them. The technician told me that almost all of the Tacoma brakes do not self adjust. I asked him again to repeat what he had just said and he did again state that almost all of the Tacoma brakes do not self adjust. He also further stated that the self adjuster works in theory only.
I told him that I have been driving for many years and have never had the need to adjust rear drum brakes except when I install new shoes. He stated he did not know why the Tacoma's brakes do not self adjust. I asked him if they have issues with the Tundra and he said no, just the Tacoma.
This is also now in the hands of Toyota along with my rusty frame.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

I'm in a similar boat with our '09 Accord. Just needed new rear brake pads at 15k miles. Honda admits there's a defect but won't do anything about it and we had to pay for the work. Dealer said the pads they are installing are the same pads so there's no reason to assume we won't be back in another 15k. Sucks as we do 30k+ per year!

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

In theory lol those stupid ugly but long lasting and durable drum brakes have been adjusting for what 75 years ?

Kinda surprised a 2007 anything has rear drums. On a plain yeoman duty daily driver I prefer rear drums, much longer lasting.
I routinely see Chevy and Ford rear drums with 100k miles on them with life remaining and I'll be damned if I can get 45 or 50k miles on a set of rear disks.

Ezmobee if your gonna be doing brakes every 6 months according to honda take your business to your local mechanic who has quality stuff like Raybestos, Wagner or Akebono brake pads. Some OEM's just spec cheap pads and call em normal. I would sure be looking at ceramic pads for that car.
Chrysler for instance with their cheap pads blacking all those caravan wheels, what a sick looking ailment that is.

 

[rbh]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

I am under the impression that you back up and apply the brakes, on off on off to self adjust.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

windsors03cobra, I'm on it. Only reason they did these was the low mileage and we had it done for less than half price. Next time they go they'll be replaced with Raybestos Advanced Technology pads of which I am a fan.

 

[rndn]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

I am under the impression that you back up and apply the brakes, on off on off to self adjust.

That could be, although the technician didn't correct me when I stated they adjusted when the e-brake was applied.
If it is adjusted when backing up, I back into my garage every night.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

...I'll be damned if I can get 45 or 50k miles on a set of rear disks...

Try a 2000-2005 Chevy Impala. If you can keep the rotors from warping (city driving helps A LOT!) you'll not need to replace pads for 115,000 miles.

rndn, just because your "technician" didn't correct you doesn't mean that they know what they are talking about. Drums should adjust when backing. It's some rear discs that adjust with the parking brake lever.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

rndn, just because your "techinician" didn't correct you doesn't mean that they know what they are talking about. Drums should adjust when backing. It's some rear discs that adjust with the parking brake lever.

EXACTLY RIGHT.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

The drums should adjust when backing is correct....However, they may not if the adjusters are seized up, particually from rust. The adjuster is not much more then a bolt threaded into the adjuster body. It doesn't take a lot of rust to bind them up Rusty frame and now, possibly overly rusty brake components? Has this truck had good washings after getting road salt on it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

That could be, although the technician didn't correct me when I stated they adjusted when the e-brake was applied.
If it is adjusted when backing up, I back into my garage every night.

First, Yes I was a manager at a Toyota Dealership and I was also a Manager at a Chevrolet Dealer. I have been around maintenance for only about 40 years.

I take offense and must defend the "technician"..... Tech's have about $40-60K wrapped up in tools and schooling. They are not taught "bedside manner" and may not articulate when a customer is questioning him/her. The Service Manager should have been the proper go-between. I have no idea what you do or have done for a living but, if you are not a Toyota Tech back down. Okay the tech made a mistake.... get over it. I have to take a stand and defend the mechanics at the dealership and the mechanics that frequent this board.

Self adjusting brakes do self adjust ONLY WHEN THEY WEAR to the point where the adjuster will engage. The "self adjustment" works on the star wheel when the full brake pedal is engaged. Backing into a garage daily is probably done slowly. The adjuster will not work at the slower speed. Now in a typical parking lot when you back up ..... hit the brakes to stop the Tacoma then shift into forward.... IF your brake adjuster was contacted then it would work.

Fact is that NY State just like VT uses salt on the roads. Surface rust happens and I know that I have my brakes cleaned and serviced every year following the winter months and have never encountered a problem in my Toyota's, Chevrolet's, Ford's ........ my last brake problem was 20 years ago when a Chevrolet Celebrity wore the front rotor and I found out they were disposable and not thick enough to cut.

If the brake adjuster worked EVERY time you backed up.... don't you think it would over tighten the brakes?

I am sure that Toyota will step up to the plate. Just bring in your file of maintenance services you have had done and explain what had happened.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

First, Yes I was a manager at a Toyota Dealership and I was also a Manager at a Chevrolet Dealer. I have been around maintenance for only about 40 years.

I take offense and must defend the "technician"..... Tech's have about $40-60K wrapped up in tools and schooling. They are not taught "bedside manner" and may not articulate when a customer is questioning him/her. The Service Manager should have been the proper go-between. I have no idea what you do or have done for a living but, if you are not a Toyota Tech back down. Okay the tech made a mistake.... get over it. I have to take a stand and defend the mechanics at the dealership and the mechanics that frequent this board.

Self adjusting brakes do self adjust ONLY WHEN THEY WEAR to the point where the adjuster will engage. The "self adjustment" works on the star wheel when the full brake pedal is engaged. Backing into a garage daily is probably done slowly. The adjuster will not work at the slower speed. Now in a typical parking lot when you back up ..... hit the brakes to stop the Tacoma then shift into forward.... IF your brake adjuster was contacted then it would work.

Fact is that NY State just like VT uses salt on the roads. Surface rust happens and I know that I have my brakes cleaned and serviced every year following the winter months and have never encountered a problem in my Toyota's, Chevrolet's, Ford's ........ my last brake problem was 20 years ago when a Chevrolet Celebrity wore the front rotor and I found out they were disposable and not thick enough to cut.

If the brake adjuster worked EVERY time you backed up.... don't you think it would over tighten the brakes?

I am sure that Toyota will step up to the plate. Just bring in your file of maintenance services you have had done and explain what had happened.

I've been an "auto tech" my whole life. Thanks for defending us.

Communication is the key. As a shop owner for 24 yrs. it is MY job to communicate with the customer. In a dealership it is the service manager/service writer. If the tech is capable all the better to talk to the person who actually worked on the vehicle. But.... that is not really the tech's job is it?

 

[Stachi]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

In theory lol those stupid ugly but long lasting and durable drum brakes have been adjusting for what 75 years ?

Kinda surprised a 2007 anything has rear drums. On a plain yeoman duty daily driver I prefer rear drums, much longer lasting.
I routinely see Chevy and Ford rear drums with 100k miles on them with life remaining and I'll be damned if I can get 45 or 50k miles on a set of rear disks.

Ezmobee if your gonna be doing brakes every 6 months according to honda take your business to your local mechanic who has quality stuff like Raybestos, Wagner or Akebono brake pads. Some OEM's just spec cheap pads and call em normal. I would sure be looking at ceramic pads for that car.
Chrysler for instance with their cheap pads blacking all those caravan wheels, what a sick looking ailment that is.

I am an auto mechanic and I can tell you that I RARELY see a drum brake setup that is in proper adjustment,....THAT is why drum brakes last for so long...they are barely doing any of the work ......the split on the braking load is usually 70 percent front , and 30 for the rear....so if the drums are not adjusted , the front brakes are doing more like 90 percent of the braking...if you are constantly wearing out your front pads, than your drums are probably in need of adjustment. Jack up the rear end of your vehicle,and spin one of the rear wheels by hand...if it spins freely with no resistance, you need to adjust them...... jack up the front end and try to spin the front wheels... ( trans in neutral,disc brakes )...and you will see what I mean....

 

[Stachi]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

Try a 2000-2005 Chevy Impala. If you can keep the rotors from warping (city driving helps A LOT!) you'll not need to replace pads for 115,000 miles.

rndn, just because your "technician" didn't correct you doesn't mean that they know what they are talking about. Drums should adjust when backing. It's some rear discs that adjust with the parking brake lever.

I need proof that you get 115,000 miles on a set of pads....

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

Every time i do a drum brake job i take the star adjuster apart.Clean on the bench grinder wire brush and grease the threads and inside the cap.
Like already stated,dirt or rust on those adjusters will cause them not to work.
I adjust mine by backing up fast and pumping the brake pedal hard a few times...always worked.

On my GF's 2007 Saturn Aura with rear disc they were shot at 30k.
I replaced with a good set of Raybestos ceramics and she is at 72k and they still have a good amount of pad left.

My Tahoe got 100k out of the original set of rear drums..

 

[The_Kid]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

I need proof that you get 115,000 miles on a set of pads....

It all depends on the car/truck and the driver. My 02 F250 has close to 134,000 miles on it and and the original front and rear pads still have lots of life left on them.

 

[rndn]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

My one and only complaint was with the Toyota truck. I did not complain about the tech and really how the rear brake self adjusts has nothing to do with my complaint. The point I was trying to make is that the technician stated that in his experience it seems that every Tacoma truck he works on is having issues with the rear brakes not self adjusting.
I have owned vehicles for longer than I care to mention and have always lived in snow bound regions, mostly in upstate New York. I have owned old Chevy's, old Fords, old Datsun's, old Oldsmobile's, etc, etc. Many of these vehicles had over 200K on them when I sold them. I have never had a vehicle fail to self adjust the rear drum brakes, until now.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

I need proof that you get 115,000 miles on a set of pads....

Well, I really wish I had saved them, then I could wipe that smirk off your face.

But it's a fact, jack.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

I am an auto mechanic and I can tell you that I RARELY see a drum brake setup that is in proper adjustment,....THAT is why drum brakes last for so long...they are barely doing any of the work ......the split on the braking load is usually 70 percent front , and 30 for the rear....so if the drums are not adjusted , the front brakes are doing more like 90 percent of the braking...if you are constantly wearing out your front pads, than your drums are probably in need of adjustment. Jack up the rear end of your vehicle,and spin one of the rear wheels by hand...if it spins freely with no resistance, you need to adjust them...... jack up the front end and try to spin the front wheels... ( trans in neutral,disc brakes )...and you will see what I mean....

So how do you adjust the rear brake? I don't think mine are split evenly between the front and rear brakes. Why don't they design the rear brakes to do more of the work since trucks are rear wheel drive?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

So how do you adjust the rear brake? I don't think mine are split evenly between the front and rear brakes. Why don't they design the rear brakes to do more of the work since trucks are rear wheel drive?

Being rear drive is almost irrelevent. The reason pickup trucks' rear brakes don't need to do more of the work is that 70% of the resting weight is on the front end! Only when you load heavy stuff in the bed of a truck does it have any appreciable weight back there. If you had the rear brakes doing half the braking, they'd be trying to slide everytime you applied the brakes. Ever wonder why GM and Dodge (and maybe Ford too) equipped their pickups with rear wheel anti-lock brakes only, long before they put 4 wheel ABS on them? That's right, cause they are so light in the back, the rear brakes would lock up under heavy braking, thus making the trucks squirrely!

 

[642mx]

Re: 2007 Toyota Tacoma w/Bad Rear Brakes

My 02 Tundra had drums and they always needed adjustments too. Its not a big deal, I did mine every oil change. You don't even have to remove the rear wheels and it takes about 5 seconds a side.

FWIW, my 91 Olds Cutlass Ciera has the same issue...