Safety: Brakes are a safety system. If the pedal is soft or goes to the floor, do not drive the truck.
Checks, in order
- Pads and rotorsPull the wheels and look at pad thickness and wear pattern. Uneven wear side to side points to a sticking caliper or slide pins.easy $ · under about $50
- Caliper slide pins and pistonsClean and lubricate the slide pins with brake grease. Check that the pistons move freely and the boots are not torn.medium $ · under about $50
- Brake hoses and steel linesInspect the rubber hoses for cracks and bulges and the steel lines for rust, especially on trucks from salt states.medium $$ · about $50 to $500
- Fluid and bleedOld, dark fluid causes a soft pedal. Bleed the system and flush with fresh DOT 3 fluid.medium $ · under about $50
- Master cylinder and boosterA pedal that slowly sinks points to the master cylinder. A hard pedal with a hissing sound points to the booster or its vacuum line.hard $$ · about $50 to $500
Applies to: 1996 to 2002 4Runner with the 2.7L 3RZ-FE four-cylinder and the 3.4L 5VZ-FE V6, 2WD and 4WD, manual and automatic. Where a check only applies to one engine it says so.
Tools and parts for these checks
Links below are Amazon affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate, toyotadata earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Confirm fitment for your exact truck before you order.
| ITEM | USED FOR | BUY |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads | Replacing worn or glazed pads | Shop on Amazon |
| Genuine Toyota DOT 3 brake fluid | Flushing old fluid; confirm DOT 3 on your reservoir cap | Shop on Amazon |
| One-person brake bleeder kit | Bleeding air out of the lines | Shop on Amazon |
| Dial indicator with magnetic base | Measuring rotor runout | Shop on Amazon |
More 3rd Gen 4Runner problems
- Clunk, knock or loose feel in the front end over bumps (Steering & Suspension)
- Shimmy, vibration or steering wander at highway speed (Steering & Suspension)
- Frame rust, rotten rocker panels or rusty underbody (Frame & Body)
- Engine overheating or temperature gauge climbing (Cooling)
- Pink or milky transmission fluid, or coolant in the transmission (Transmission)
- 5VZ-FE timing belt service: when is it due and how do I tell? (Engine)
All 16 3rd Gen 4Runner symptoms in the interactive troubleshooter →
General guidance from owner experience. Confirm torque specs, fluid capacities and procedures in the factory service manual. Brakes, steering and anything structural: if in doubt, have a qualified shop inspect it before driving.