2000 Toyota Sienna organic brake OK?

STIEN10517

MEMBER
2000 TOYOTA SIENNA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
90,912 MILES

Recently, I change my front brake pas at Brake Master store, but I found they use cheap organic pads. Will this be still OK? What would be advantage /disadvantage for organic pads? What would be the material used in Toyota dealer?

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 3:17 AM

3 Replies

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

Honestly Im not sure of the exact composition of the Toyota pad, most likely of a semi-metallic variety. Organic will wear out faster and generally not perform as well. They are usually quiet, so they are used for inexpensive alternatives. In the future I suggest OE (Toyota) or Akebono pads for your Toyota, I have used both with the same results

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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 7:56 AM

STIEN10517

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hello Jack,

Thank you very much for your answer. Actually, I have more questions since I sent my car for maintenance. Could you answer those questions as below:

Two weeks ago, I brought my 2000 Toyota Sienna to dealer for 90,000 miles maintenance. However, dealer provided me a long list for repair. I wonder if I really need to do all of them. Also, some items I may do it by myself or find some less expensive alternative. Could you answer me questions listed below.
1) Low control arms: I don’t hear any noise and alignment is quite good because I release my hands in the freeway for a short while and the car still run very straight. Can this lead me believe the alignment is good. Also, if I really need to change lower control arm, can I only ask some other store like sears to change bush only?
2) Upper radiation hose: This is quite easy for me. But I wonder how to get rid of air bubble once a new hose is placed. I understanding is I need to turn on engine after hose changed, open the radiator cap, wait until the water burst out and catch that moment to close the cap with very thick glove. Or I can turn off engine and fill up the radiator with fluid.
3) Transmission mount: I think this is just the rubber worn out. Is this correct? Do I really have to change this since I only plan to drive this car for less than 3 years. If yes, can I ask to change rubber on the mount from other store like Sears?
4) Power steering flush: Can I use a small plastic vacuum to suck all the old fluid out and pour new fluid in several times. I think this will change most of old fluid.
5) Electronic fuel injection flush: Can I just buy some chemical like STP fuel injection cleaner into the gas tank and reach good enough results?
6) Spark plug: the original plug is platinum. Is this lifetime style? Do I have to change that earlier?
7) Front Brake: My brake pads are semi-metal and is only 20K old. The original store said this is life time warranty for semi-metal pads. Do you know why it is so short life.

Regards

ST

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Monday, December 1st, 2008 AT 11:35 PM

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

1- If the alignment is good, then this may be a little premature, have another place inspect the front suspension, but dont tell them what you have already been told, otherwise they will suggest the same work. You would have to call around to see if thebushing is serviceable seperatly
2-You can replace the hose yourself. There should be a bleeder on top of the thermostat housing, loosen it and fill until coolant comes out, then cap it and you should be good
3-You can have another shop do this, if it is bad I would replace it, or it could do damage to the other mounts costing more in the near future
4-Yes, you could use abaster to do that and it will be
ok
5- Yes, an additive willl do the same thing, using high quality fuel is the best thing to do, keeps them from getting gummed up in the first place
6-90k is time for plugs. Be sure to have the exact same plugs put back in it.
7-Driving conditions usually dictate the life of the pad.I dont see how they can "lifetime warranty" a weraing item like that for any other reason than to keep you coming back to their shop. Brakes wear out and that is a fact, from now on use original Equipment parts for the best performance and longevity

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Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 AT 7:50 AM