brakes

[Grnarowana]

how do i know when the brakes are going out? i bought the car back in 2004-2005 and never got any brake work.

[tacti]

depending your milage, but just from the year of your car, probably your break should be replaced.....

just take a look at the break pad and see how much left.
you need to take your tires off, and look at the break from the back.

if you want to do it yourself (it's not that hard, but get ready to be messy... ) , i have some pictures on my site.

http://web.mac.com/tacti/iWeb/Solara/brake.html

and you can save a lot of money by doing this by yourself.

-EDIT-
i just notice that this is in Gen1, 1.5 forum... but i think procedure for replacing breaks are very similar...

Tact

[Gadgetjq]

how do i know when the brakes are going out? i bought the car back in 2004-2005 and never got any brake work.

Many brake pads (usually the front since they wear faster) have a warning tab on them that scrapes against the rotor and causes a squealing sound. If you hear that it's time for a brake pad replacement.

Pad themselves 'usually' have a slot in the center. Remove your wheels and look at the pads through the opening in your caliper. If you can see the slot then you're still good to go. If the pads have worn to the point where the slot is gone it's replacement time.

Actually replacing the pads is super simple. Remove the caliper (2 bolts) take out the old pads, push the piston back, pop in new pads, replace the caliper and wheel/tire. Done.

You'll find pictures (along with a brake upgrade guide) here: http://www.gadgetjq.com/solara/brake_rotors.htm

The rear brakes on your Gen1 are drums. There 'should' be a plug you can remove on the drum to inspect the brake shoes but it'd be a good idea just to pull the drums off so you can get a good look and clean things up. Shoe replacement is as simple as pads but there are a few more parts involved for the self adjusters. You might want to take a picture before getting started or use the other side as your guide while putting things together again.

BTW this isn't in the owners manual but it's a good idea to replace brake fluid every two years. If yours is a dark yellow or darker then it's contaminated and should be replaced.

Cheers

[TMMK Toy]

He dont got a gen 1 its a gen 2 and easiest thing is to look at the master cylinder level

[Jakecallun20]

I think some one said this, but when it starts squeaking like a bi@ch its time for new pads/rotors or both.

[Gadgetjq]

He dont got a gen 1 its a gen 2 and easiest thing is to look at the master cylinder level

My mistake. Since the request was posted in the Gen1 section and he didn't specify I 'assumed' he had a pre '04 car that he'd purchased pre-owned in '04 or '05.

The advise still applies though, just forget the drum brake part.

Cheers

[ClearWater]

I knew when I had this strange vibration all of a sudden in the steering wheel. It feels like a really bad road at first and it happens even when you don't have your foot on the brake. I replace the front brake pads at the dealer. I didn't want aftermarket brakes and they had a sale/coupon on toyotaowners.com at one of my local dealers. It was 69 bucks! Hope this helped.