I have a 2002 Tacoma that has had brake problems since I got it. I bought it new and the front rotors warped after about 10,000 miles. The dealer turned them (not what I wanted but they said they had to try that first) so about 1,500 miles later they warped again and the dealer put new ones on.

About 1,000 miles later the rear started shaking took to the dealer and they put new drums on. 2,000 miles later back to the dealer for the rear shaking and new drums again.

The truck only has about 20,800 miles on it now and 2 sets of rotors and 3 sets and drums later they are all bad again. This is driveing me crazy, anybody have any idea why whey are going bad so fast?

Sorry for the long post just getting very tired of this!
Thanks
Shawn

 

Unless You're driving with the brakes on, there is something very wrong there. My guess is they aren't adjusting the rear drums properly. Not sure about the fronts though.

 

Who rotates and balances the wheels? If the lugs are over torqued, it can cause the rotors to warp.

 

The dealer has been the one doing the rotating and balancing and I agree about over torquing, I asked them about that and they "said" they torqued them to the proper spec. Who knows because I dont have the time to stay there and watch them. Its going back next week so I'll see what they say. Just wanted some insight as to what the problem could be.

Thanks
Shawn

 

Well, you could get a torque wrench and check to see if they are torqued properly. My guess is the tech is using a 500 lb-ft impact gun.

 

Roger

I'm sure that you are right I have not seen a tech use a torque wrench in a while in a busy shop. Would that also explain the drums going bad as well?

Thanks
Shawn

 

I would bring in all your receipts and lay them down on the counter one-by-one in front of the service manager. Calmly explain your case to him and ask that special attention be placed on getting to the root cause of this problem vs. putting "bandaids" on.

They are going to run you right out of your warranty period otherwise.

 

96 runner

You are right about that as I am running close as it is on warrenty. I do have all the receipts for the work, though I have not paid a cent to date for any of this. It is just driving me crazy to keep having to take it back over and over.

Thanks and have a good one!
Shawn

 

You might also just calmly ask about the lemon law in your state.

 

I'm still using my factory rotors and drums from 1993 (110,000 miles). The front rotors were turned when the pads were replaced at about 85,000 miles.

My 97 BMW on the other hand, is on it's 3rd set of front rotors and 2nd set of rear rotors. Every time the pads wear out the rotors need changing too on that car.

 

mt goat

Not a bad idea about the lemon law, but I would think that this is something that could fixed. I think a factory rep need to be brought in, that is what i'm going to push for this time around.

My brothers BMW is the same way new pads = new rotors.

Thanks

 

toyota 2, I would double check the rear drum adjustment... make sure its dragging just a little bit. I have mine set at 1/4 turn of wheel drag. drive for a week or so. recheck the rear brakes again - adjust if necessary. If you are vigilant, eventually you will feel your brake peddle to travel less and less distance when braking. My 97 4runner had a bad time of going thru front rotors also... I solved it by keeping the rear drums adjusted properly and REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS WITH BREMBOS. The biggest problem with the 4runners with drums is that they will not self adjust properly and majority of your braking force is done by the front and causing the wrappage of the front discs... Very poor design IMO.