Kaltire or Toyota

Hello,

Trying to decide whether to go to Kaltire, or Toyota to get my brakes done for the 2019 4runner, any suggestions???....

 

Calling all Canadians...

 

not sure what a kaltire is, but I'd say dealership if that's your only options.

 

Watch a you tube video and DIY it? It’s pretty easy if it’s just pads. Even rotors are not bad. If you need to do a caliper you might want to take it to a mechanic for the brake flush if it’s something you’ve never done.

 

Toyota OEM brake parts available at dealership parts desk are the way to go for quality and durability on 4R's, but if you want to save some money Canadian Tire has premium Brembo rotors at good price and Auto-Value has Akebono ceramic pads, just replaced 4 corners on son's Toyota Scion with those. Front pads wear quicker than rears though and if rotors are still good you may get away with just replacing the front brake pads this year, you'll need a trusted mechanic to tell you if rotors are still good. Buy a brake fluid testing pen to check water content to tell when to change brake fluid.
Dealership, Kaltire and other shops may try up sell you into replacing everything on all 4 corners plus the brake fluid but I've found good retired 30-40 year experienced mechanics working from home on fb marketplace or kijiji for reasonable price and as others mention brake replacement on these is a straight forward job.

 

I agree with the DIY route in this situation. As far as the quality of Kaltire (and Toyota dealers), it will be like a lot of other places; you will find wildly variable quality based on the tech and the manager yelling at them to hurry up. I've had good and horrible experiences both.

If you aren't comfortable doing the work, or simply not equipped or interested in doing it, I would look for suggestions that are more local. For instance, when I'm in Calgary I go to KRave for my work. I have other shops in other places that I trust or have a good reputation. And I almost always look for a place that specializes in, and is preferably passionate about, the vehicle I am bringing them.

All that being said, it is pretty hard to botch a brake job as long as they use good quality parts. Foothills suggestion above is probably how I would proceed if I didn't know how to proceed.

 

Another vote here for KRave Automotive in Calgary AB for any specialized Toyota 4x4 service work or aftermarket accessory sourcing and installation at great pricing.

 

Thanx

 

Kal Tire has a good rep here at most locations in BC. 'I'd be fine having them do pads and rotors

 

Quality of the parts is just as important as the mechanic's skill/care. What pads does Kaltire use? If they aren't Advics or Akebono, you can end up with more brake dust, inconsistent brake bite, more corrosion, etc.

 

Neither. Find a reputable 4WD shop or a mom and pop. I have a personal bias against Kal Tire after a botched alignment destroyed my front tires and they did'nt want to do anything about it.

Another Kal Tire location once told my dad his brake pads were severely worn while it was in getting a flat tire repaired. We replaced pads and rotors the week before. Shops like this are production shops that put money before quality IMO.