Weird braking issue, can't find any info

Hello everyone. Just picked up my first tundra (2001 Access cab with 220k) and have been trying to sort out a few of the issues it has.

Primarily, braking is weird on this truck. When you barely touch the brake pedal (such as when preparing for a stop or disengaging cruise,) it pulses the brakes but just for a moment, as if someone stomped on them and let off. There is no difference in pedal feel. Then pedal travel and feel is normal once you get to the actual engage point of the brakes.

There is also a bit of pull to the right during this pulse, the prev. owner thought it might be due to his replacement of only the passenger strut.

Further info is that the steering doesn't return to center after a turn.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

The return to center sounds like an alignment issue.

Braking could be due to a sticking caliper, pull the wheels and check out the wear on the pads between the two fronts.

 

I second the alignment suggestion. I had one done at a shop I trust, however an inexperienced tech did it. My alignment bolts (cam bolts I believe they are called) came loose. So when I would brake it would cause the jerk you mention because the alignment was able to move so much. Definitely freaked me out.

My reasoning with this would be the suspension components move abruptly even with a slight touch of the brakes which gives you that jerk feeling. Then once they move from the braking you don't feel it afterwards because the suspension has already moved. Then you drive for a bit which allows the suspension to move back to it's previous position before braking which allows the jolting brake symptom to do it's thing again.

This is just my opinion, definitely not the end all be all!

If I were you I would get the alignment checked at a reputable shop and then go from there.

Good luck!!!

 

Warped rotors can pulse, too. Mostly felt as grab and release at slow speeds when coming to a stop from 15 to 0mph.

Sounds like your problem is at higher speeds.

 

Thanks all,

I figured the return to center was a camber issue, or a ball joint possibly.

The jerking is an all-speeds every-time issue, even without any other input, just repeatedly tapping on the brake pedal, and happens before there should ever even be movement of the calipers--maybe the first 1/4'' of pedal travel, then nothing for the next few inches, then normal brake feel.

I'll pull the wheels and check the pads when I have time; I'm currently in damage control mode, as a pool tech in Tulsa, OK lol.