Hilux Brakes

[crosssport]

I know that many members have complained about how poorly their hilux pulls up, especially if larger wheels and tyres are fitted. So in the hunt to find out more about this I called one of my previous employers who owns and runs a specialist brake and clutch business and has done for over 30 years.
After asking the questions about fitting slotted rotors and bendix pads the answer was don't waste your money, it may help slightly and feel better whilst new but once worn a bit you won't notice much if any difference over standard.
The answer to the braking problem, which he actually found out off a tour company running hiluxes, is that the rear brakes require regular adjustment due to the fact that the incorporated self adjusters just dont work. Keep the adjustment up and braking is fine.
So I decided to check the theory out and put my hilux up on the hoist and check the rear adjustment.
Now my hilux has only 12,000km on it and had it's 10,000km service only recently done.
So checked the adjustment and wow it was miles out. 13 clicks on the adjusters later and they are where they should be.
Test time off the hoist and out the road,and what a difference it makes. Firm brake pedal, good feel and it stops.

So make sure whoever does your servicing, that they adjust the rear brakes as most places wont bother due to knowing that they are drum brakes and should be self adjusting.

Hope this helps

[Quinny34]

As always... theres just no stopping him....

Thanks Shane... Will do mine prior to Tallarook, that'll test em out!!

[Hilux Max]

Thanks shane, was gonna do mine the other weeks when I serviced ther but didnt get time to get round to it.... might try and do it last minute friday night......

[felix]

Any chance of a step by step guide to diy, for those of us less mechanically apt?

[SR5LUX]

Jack the back of the car, pull the rubber plug out from the backing plate and theres an adjuster in there get a small flat blade screw driver and adjust it up afew clicks at a time, then spin the wheel and you should hear the brake linings just touching the drum...

[hodgo81]

That definitely makes sence. after my last 2 services I noticed my brakes felt really good for about the first week.... and then returned to being mediocre.

I was going to start a thread and see if it was brake bleeding issue and the luxes were good at sucking air in somewhere. But now you've figured it out for me.

I guess the question you could ask your mate is: Do any of the aftermarket brake cylinder manufacturers procduce one that adjusts better?

Actually one other question comes to mind too. If my rear shoes are wearing that fast in about 2 weeks for me to notice, does that mean the rear portioning valve is set up to rely too heavily on the rear brakes?

[Dluxv6]

Hate to rain on your parade shane
but i have to disagree on that point
my vehicle has slotted rotors and the braking i have now can never be compared to from new
rears were always adjusted up and even lspv was cranked up (brake shop did both) and me as well.
when rotors went on i de-adjusted LSPV to suit
mate the difference is unbelievable
maybe the issue is to do with ABS on SR5's as i have no ABS on mine

My2c

Drew

[9W6VX]

Felix,

I'm like you mate. Mechanically, a nerd!

crosssport, sr5lux,

(A) Jack the back of the car,
(B) Pull the rubber plug out from the backing plate and theres an adjuster in there get a small flat blade screw driver
(C) Adjust it up a few clicks at a time,
(D) Then spin the wheel and you should hear the brake linings just touching the drum...


Do you mean that I need to adjust it until the rear brake linings JUST touch the drum when we spin the wheel?

I am assuming that before (C), I should spin the wheel first to make sure that it is spinning freely.

[Dluxv6]

P.s
if you have adjusted rears ,check your handbrake it should take no more than 7 click to be full on

Just a thought

Drew

[crosssport]

Yeh Brendon, what you said is correct. Adjust up a few clicks at a time, you will end up hearing the brake linings rubbing on the drum, you should get a bit of drag when rotating the wheel. Just keep adjusting up until you have a light to medium drag, you should be able to turn the wheel with one hand without it being to hard.
Drew,
I hear what your saying about the slotted rotors, I dont disagree but without driving one with them fitted I couldnt warrant changing from standard.
Just thought I'd let people know about the rear adjustment being so critical as the self adjusters jut dont work, so you end up with the front brakes doing all the work.

Cheers
Shane

[Dluxv6]

Shane
This is just another issue that Toyota have f@#$ed up again i presume, worked on earlier models.
current self adjusters i presume work when you go backwards now i understand why i have had to do this myself instead of being automatic

Cheers Drew

[Bull]

It's sad that in 2009 we have to manually adjust our brakes. I thought discs were cheaper to produce anyhow?

Thanks for the good tip Crossport. I know what it's like to keep a close eye on rear brakes. If you don't keep the mud out of rear discs you can chew up a set of pads (and rotors) in 5,000kms. These rear drums might prove to be more reliable.

[Squid_87]

Is there any other way to adjust the handbrake? Ive done mine a couple of times at the self adjusters yet doesnt seem to be changing the handbrake that much. My driveway has a slight incline on it and the handbrake is pulled up all the way, no more clicks to go (haven't counted them)

[9W6VX]

Shane,

Thanks mate.

Will have a look at it tonight if i dare. Ha...ha... I am mechanically challenged........ cry... cry....

[Dluxv6]

Squid
back off handbrake then re-adjust rear shoes as per above then re-adjust handbrake
see if that helps mate
Cheers Drew

[Squid_87]

Drew,

Im ok with adjusting the shoes. How do i readjust the handbrake?

Thanks,
Luke

[Quinny34]

Squid_87, This site is for hilux's... you want advice on your wife... goto www.oprah.com or www.drfullashite.com

[Squid_87]

Shit, i only just realised that i left myself wide open. Good shot Quinny

[Hilux Max]

you left yourself wide open......

good shot quinny.....

that dont sound too good in the one sentence

[9W6VX]

I adjusted my rear brakes at home just now.

Put it on the jack stands and the rear wheels were spinning freely.

I adjusted it 4 clicks each side and when I rotate the wheels there is a slight drag now with one hand spinning the wheel. The screwdriver should be levered down and there are 2 rubber plugs. The top rubber plug is the one to adjust the brakes.

Noticed that after adjusting the rear brakes, the hand brake now has about 5 clicks to the normal up position. It was initially at 7 clicks.

Further to this i did a search and found that there is another way to adjust the rear brakes. When reversing pump the brake pedal and the rear brakes should auto adjust themselves. Don't know if it works that way.

Thanks for the tip guys.

Need to see the optician to change to bifocal lens as found it difficult to see the small little hole.