L33T35T 4Runner

I have a 95 4runner with 31x10.5 R15s. When i brake i get lots of shaking. I was told this was normal just because of the big tires.. but ive been reading some stuff today and i was thinking it was because of warped rotors?

this true?

thanks for any info

Jason B

You need new rotors, or need them turned down.

Paul H.

Could be warped rotors, but I would check to make sure the lug nuts are tightened evenly. This happened to me. The steering wheel would shake real bad when braking. I found that some lugs were real tight and some were only hand tight. Hope this helps.

TDiddy

Yep, rotors or lugs!

94 First Responder

I solved my problem with a bad rotor.

Bob K

I am not sure if you have one, but my 87 had the same problem and it turned out to be a bad steering stabalizer.

L33T35T 4Runner

its not the lugs. i recently had my tires roto-baled (rotate-balanced) by the tire shop guys at my work, sams club. I'm good friends with all of them out there and they definatly know what they're doing.

Its not just because those tires are huge?

I'll check into the rotor deal... I'll probably jack it up there and check it out...

thanks

Yoda

You can't tell just by looking (unless they are REALY BADLY warped. Usually you use a dial indicator against the rotor to check. Might also be wheel bearings.

PhxTRDRunner

Your local parts store can more than likely turn your rotors, and check them for thickness. If they have been turned before more than once, and sometimes only once, they then need replaced. Bigger tires would cause mild shaking, but only on uneven surfaces (in my experience). Tightening lugs too tight will cause rotors premature wear.


Good luck.

L33T35T 4Runner

What causes rotor warpage?

Heavy braking frequently?

Braking at high speeds?

denverbikeguy

Really? Why?

91Runner

I've had the same problem a couple of times (91 4Runner, with 31x10.5xR15 Tires) And it turned out that my rotors were warped (Long story short, I took it to one of my dad's "friend's" shop for a brake job, and he ended up warping all my rotors... TWICE, they guys at the shop I goto now said that he more than likely over tightened the calipers or something.) So I would definitely have your brakes checked out.

-Braden

Dashunde

L33T35T,
Does the severity of the vibration increase in direct proportion with more breaking pressure? AND... can you feel the brake peddle pulse in sync with the vibration? If "yes" to both, then I'd say warped rotors are a sure-thing.

Several things contribute to rotor warpage...
Most commonly its unevenly tightend lug nuts; As the rotor heats up, the uneven "pull" of the lugs will deform that section of the rotor and over time it will simply cool down and stay that way.
Lug nuts should never be tightend down with just an impact gun - its far too irregular no matter what the guy holding the gun says.
Impacts can be used with one of those colored (rated in f/lbs) torque extentions.

Sometimes the metal itself is just not good, some will dissipate heat irregularly causing warpage.

Having mud packed into the cooling vanes within the rotor will also cause warpage due to (again) irregular heat dissipation.

SideNote; A warped rotor and its vibration can make short work of wheel bearings.