2000 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 SR5
60K miles


Curious if anyone has had this problem with their brakes on 4Runners. The brakes feel a bit "mushy" to me, at times. I've topped off the Master Cylinder fluid, the brake pads check out okay, and from what I can tell the rotors are in good shape. I also, occassionally, get pretty bad shaking if I am braking downhill. However, when braking on an even plain or uphill there is no shaking at all. Does anyone have any idea what brake problem I am facing? If you have any suggestions please let me know, thanks!

 

your rotor are probably warped or have runout. the downhill is because they heat up when constantly used. if it gets worse you should replace the rotors. as far as the mushy, you might want to bleed the system.

 

Yep, those are warped rotors......as more heat is generated, the shaking gets worse.

This thread should eliminate that issue for youi:
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.ph...=26&topic=54.0

Also use a power bleeder to ensure you have no air in the system and adjust the rear drums so you don't have any excess play there either.

 

Adjust your rear brakes. I have to adjust mine every few thousand KM.

If you notice a lot of diving as you brake, that means your rear brakes arent doing much of the braking, therefore putting close to 100% of the brake force in the fronts.

 

mine does the same thing. check, i think there's a factory recal on the rotors.

 

Damn, a recall on the rotors would be nice. I'll check the rear brakes as well, thanks for the feedback fellas.

 

I think the recall was for weak rotors that thumped too early in life. the fix was meatier rotors. my 1999 did this and I lived with it. sometimes really hard braking would warp them back straight, and it stayed that way until the next hard braking cycle.

I have new rotors now and they are dead perfect.


also, a stuck disc brake piston can cause thumping. they only get stuck if you go mudding and don't tear down and clean the wheel and brake assemblies afterward