95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

#$*%*&!$(! Brakes!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 28, 2004 | 06:48 PM
  #1  
Pretacopower's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA
#$*%*&!$(! Brakes!!

I swear, I've had this truck serviced/inspected for brake problems 4 times in the last 10 months. This is driving me insane....
I just picked her up from my local mechanic (whom we know pretty well and have been dealing with for years) and he resurfaced my rotors, since I was starting to feel this vibrating and "lurching" while braking lately.
As luck would have it, it feels 3 times worse now that they've been resurfaced. The truck literally lunges back and forth while braking, especially downhill.
Is this normal for rotors that have just been resurfaced? Do the pads have to adjust to the resurfacing or something? This doesn't make since....any help would be great, thanks.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2004 | 06:53 PM
  #2  
Cebby's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,199
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I was replacing rotors at a rate of every 7-9 months. You can't resurface OR cut these truck rotors and get any longevity. The only way to go is to replace em.

I recently switched to Powerslot rotors and I hope these will last longer. Only had them on for a few weeks. I can tell you that they perform a BUNCH better than the stockers. I can actually stop now. No fade, no shudder, no theatrics.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2004 | 06:57 PM
  #3  
Pretacopower's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA
Yeah I'm leaning towards replacing them. Problem is, I just spent 120$ to have them resurfaced (and to have them tell me my tie rods are bad) and it just seems odd that they would feel 3 times worse after being resurfaced.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2004 | 07:05 PM
  #4  
rimpainter.com's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,916
Likes: 1
That sucks man. The 1-year warrantied rotors at Autozone are $58 brand new. I know its a little late, but if you need them that is another option. Rotors and PF pads on my 4Runner were about $170 shipped.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2004 | 07:19 PM
  #5  
Pretacopower's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA
Thanks Christian, there's an Autozone right at the bottom of my hill so I'll look into that. I'll take her back to the shop tomorrow and see if there's anything he'll do, if not, off to Autozone I go!
Now if I could only find a good deal on tie rods....200$ a piece makes my wallet cringe.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2004 | 07:20 PM
  #6  
redfox435cat's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Lompoc, CA
Originally Posted by Pretacopower
I swear, I've had this truck serviced/inspected for brake problems 4 times in the last 10 months. This is driving me insane....
I just picked her up from my local mechanic (whom we know pretty well and have been dealing with for years) and he resurfaced my rotors, since I was starting to feel this vibrating and "lurching" while braking lately.
As luck would have it, it feels 3 times worse now that they've been resurfaced. The truck literally lunges back and forth while braking, especially downhill.
Is this normal for rotors that have just been resurfaced? Do the pads have to adjust to the resurfacing or something? This doesn't make since....any help would be great, thanks.
If u do replace the rotor I'd have the tires rebalanced just to make sure. I had this problem on my last truck and the tires were just out of balance to the point it only showed up between 30-40mph and under moderate braking. weird as hell but the rotors lasted a hell of alot longer after that
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2004 | 07:48 PM
  #7  
4Hummer's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 1
From: Canada
Originally Posted by Pretacopower
Now if I could only find a good deal on tie rods....200$ a piece makes my wallet cringe.
this guys selling tie rod ends for like $38 bucks a pair

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...sort=3&rows=50
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2004 | 08:08 PM
  #8  
TechWrench's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Glenville, NY
Originally Posted by Pretacopower
I swear, I've had this truck serviced/inspected for brake problems 4 times in the last 10 months. This is driving me insane....
I just picked her up from my local mechanic (whom we know pretty well and have been dealing with for years) and he resurfaced my rotors, since I was starting to feel this vibrating and "lurching" while braking lately.
As luck would have it, it feels 3 times worse now that they've been resurfaced. The truck literally lunges back and forth while braking, especially downhill.
Is this normal for rotors that have just been resurfaced? Do the pads have to adjust to the resurfacing or something? This doesn't make since....any help would be great, thanks.
Not trying to knock your local mechanic ( don't know him), but a lot of things can go wrong when you have rotors turned. And, if the mechanic is not careful with each step of the process, the results can be bad. For instance, if the rotors were not mounted on the lathe properly, they could have been cut wrong. If the two mating surfaces between the rotor and the hub were not cleaned properly, the rotors will not run true even if they were cut correctly. If the wheel lug nuts were overtorqued when the wheels were remounted, that could warp the rotors. If the rotors were overheated too badly before cutting and developed hard spots, they will never cut true. Going with new rotors will eliminate some of these possible problem areas, but not all. The mechanic still has to know what he/she is doing.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2004 | 10:46 AM
  #9  
Pretacopower's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA
Originally Posted by TechWrench
Not trying to knock your local mechanic ( don't know him), but a lot of things can go wrong when you have rotors turned. And, if the mechanic is not careful with each step of the process, the results can be bad. For instance, if the rotors were not mounted on the lathe properly, they could have been cut wrong. If the two mating surfaces between the rotor and the hub were not cleaned properly, the rotors will not run true even if they were cut correctly. If the wheel lug nuts were overtorqued when the wheels were remounted, that could warp the rotors. If the rotors were overheated too badly before cutting and developed hard spots, they will never cut true. Going with new rotors will eliminate some of these possible problem areas, but not all. The mechanic still has to know what he/she is doing.
Yeah, I won't deny that they might have been done wrong. They seem to be getting a little better though, the vibration has been going away. It's still there, but not nearly as bad as it was when I picked it up yesterday. Dunno how that works
A guy I work with told me that since my tie rods are loose, it may be causing a worse vibration now that I've had my rotors resurfaced. Is that possible?
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2004 | 11:36 AM
  #10  
Mohamed's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, CA
Originally Posted by 4Hummer
this guys selling tie rod ends for like $38 bucks a pair

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...sort=3&rows=50
Yah no doubt tie rods are cheap items...HOLY CRAP $200 for tie rods , man they'd better be gold plated or something. Even $38 is a bit much, Kragen's brand are like $24, I know caz I busted one on my mom's car and I had to run out and get one quick.

[EDIT] Never mind, I see you have it listed as $38 for the pair...that is cheap.

Last edited by Mohamed; Jul 29, 2004 at 11:39 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2004 | 11:47 AM
  #11  
Unhappy99's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
This has certainly been discussed before:
Toyota rotors are crap, and its absolutely worthless to turn a crappy rotor.

Get Brembos from Tirerack, less than $60 each.

On the other hand, if your rotors were refinished and you have immediate uneveness in braking, then there is a good chance some grease or oil was on the rotors. This will burn off after a while and braking will get smoother.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2004 | 01:37 PM
  #12  
TechWrench's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Glenville, NY
Originally Posted by Pretacopower
Yeah, I won't deny that they might have been done wrong. They seem to be getting a little better though, the vibration has been going away. It's still there, but not nearly as bad as it was when I picked it up yesterday. Dunno how that works
A guy I work with told me that since my tie rods are loose, it may be causing a worse vibration now that I've had my rotors resurfaced. Is that possible?
If the tie rod ends are badly worn, they could make the vibration worse, but I would think they would have to be REALLY bad.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2004 | 01:43 PM
  #13  
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
unhappy, is that Brembos with oem pads
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2004 | 02:12 PM
  #14  
Unhappy99's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
I use Brembos with Satisfied Pro Ceramic pads. Works just fine for me.

OEM organic pads would also work. Its the factory rotors which are crap, the factory pads aren't bad, except they generate quite a bit of brake dust.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2004 | 03:18 PM
  #15  
Bay Runner's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Bay area, CA
I got my slotted Brembo rotors from RaceConcepts.net for $170 and I also got Performance Friction pads from Autozone and on top of that I changed the brake fluid to Motul Racing 600 which has 585/421 boiling points.

No more vibrations.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2004 | 04:11 PM
  #16  
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
hm.. my rotors vibrate like crazy, I live on a steep hill and don't want to pay for more crappy brakes. So I will give Brembos a try
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2004 | 03:36 PM
  #17  
redfox435cat's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Lompoc, CA
don't do the oem pad. get ceramics. or at least get an antidust pad



Originally Posted by Roadtripr
unhappy, is that Brembos with oem pads
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2004 | 03:41 PM
  #18  
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
and the brembos are not drilled or slotted correct?
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2004 | 03:54 PM
  #19  
Bay Runner's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Bay area, CA
Originally Posted by Roadtripr
and the brembos are not drilled or slotted correct?
You could get them plain or have Race Concepts put slots or drill them for you.
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2004 | 05:45 PM
  #20  
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Think I will stick to plain ones
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:00 AM.