Brake pads

Why does my break pad have that wear? It’s almost like as if the middle got used more, is this normal?
Would that be a rotor or caliper issue? It seems as if there’s a slight wave wear pattern

 

I don’t have an answer as to why this happens (a more experienced member will probably chime in on this) but I have seen the exact same wear on a many of the Toyotas I have owned. Don’t know if it is normal or not…

Recently on my wife’s 216 Highlander. Hers were a lot worse than yours. That little lip towards the edges was rusted away.

However when I have seen this wear, it has been after many many miles or like my wife’s car after many years (7).

 

I’m no expert. My guess is prolonged higher temps is causing the part of the rotor under the middle part of the pad to swell slightly.

 

I would say its heat warping as well. The OEM brakes in my opinion suck, partially because the truck is a pig, but if I ride the brakes a little too long without holding a lower gear coming down a mountain pass, I can feel it start vibrating and fading. Only have 20k miles. Cant wait to upgrade.

 

Yeah, these brakes are a common complaint. But I will gladly feed my 6,000 lb truck pads every 40k or so if they stay quiet and don’t accumulate dust. It stops well given its size IMO. I often slap the shifter over to S4 or put it in tow/haul mode to help deceleration when exiting the highway. At almost 36k miles, I have no fade or vibration yet.

If I were towing at or near max often, I would absolutely upgrade the brakes.

 

This. I like to do the same.

Except I had warped rotors by 35K miles. Replaced pads and rotors at 42k miles and pads still had meat on them.

 

Did you go aftermarket on pads and/or rotors?

 

Aftermarket. Admittedly cheaper ones too. So far not a single issue and performance has been the same as OEM.

 

Do you think I should also buy new rotors?

 

L

how could you tell that the rotors were warped? With Christmas around the corner I’d like to save my money if I don’t need to buy new rotors

 

Every time I applied the brakes, I had a pulsation in the steering wheel. Very pronounced. If you have a slight pulse, you could save some bucks by having the rotors turned.

 

I would buy new rotors for sure. Cryo treated cost a little more but are worth it for Tundras and their finicky brakes.

 

Me too. 18k miles brakes pulse and fade after a few highway speed braking events.

Searched all night last night for upgraded rotors and pads. Can't find anything. Anyone know who has new rotors for these 6 lug 13.9" rotors?

 

Cryo treated would be the way to go but not sure if anyone offers them for the 3rd gen yet.

 

I use the shifter to downshift whenever I anticipate having to brake a little hard. I also use on the ranch roads where I hunt to keep my speeds down and not have to brake as much.