More Tundra Brake Issues

Hi Tundra folks! I’m new here and hoping someone can help me diagnose my brake issues. I’ve been dealing with the “warped” rotors issue for about 3 brake changes now. I finally landed on the calipers not fully releasing and heating up the rotors but that does not seem to be the case. This time I replaced both front calipers, rotors and pads. I literally drove it out of the garage and tested it on a hill on a nearby highway and the vibrating had not changed at all. I’ve literally checked steering linkage, tires, tow in, alignment and done a full replacement and it’s still god-awful. I even tried a couple power slides in the grass just in case something is stuck in the ABS unit. I mean why not?! I’m to the point of burning sage and calling on the spirits of my dead ancestors. Anyone got any ideas?

 

A dial indicator would show you if you have any runout on the hub face. My guess would be:
-bent hub
-bad wheel bearing
-uneven hub/rotor mating surface ie. Rust flakes

 

I feel for you. I hope it gets figured out. I have a little vibration, I hope it’s not that.

 

Do you have aftermarket wheels?

Have you had the wheels/tires balanced?

 

I second the hub

 

I would have the rotors put on a lathe to check for whether they are true.
I have seen new rotors, and drums be off.
Not saying that's your issue, but is a possibility.

 

I agree with all of the above.

- What brand rotors are you using - Toyota OE or aftermarket?
- Do you have aftermarket wheels?
- How do your tires look - any excessive or abnormal wear?
- How are your tie rods?
- How is your alignment? When was the last time it was aligned?
- How many miles on the truck?
- Have the hubs/wheel bearings ever been changed?
- What are your lug nuts torqued to?

IME, "warped" rotors are rarely actually warped. If you pulled out of the garage and immediately had the same shimmy and shake issue, it's not warped rotors. It's something else as has been suggested above.

I've got over 250k miles on factory rotors, with lots of hills, towing, and hauling. The only time I had an issue with the brakes is when the tire jockey went whole hog and ran down the lugs to well over 600 lb-ft, destroying the lugs and my rotors. I had to cold chisel the stainless steel cover off the lug nuts just to remove the wheels. So besides that, I've only changed the rotors once with another set of Toyota OE rotors from the dealership.

I'm saying the factory brakes are quite good. Aftermarket parts on the other hand... can be hit or miss. But immediately after changing rotors, pads, and calipers - you are barking up the wrong tree. I would suggested looking elsewhere for the issue.

 

Thanks folks! Wheels are factory. Tires have been balanced and wear is good. I rotate regularly. I buy high-end replacement parts not cheap junk but I’m aware parts these days are not what they once were. I have checked runout. The only things I have not checked is to see if there is rust on the hubs and torque on lug nuts. It’s definitely not too much torque. But it looks like it’s supposed to be 97lbs-ft. I think I’m hitting 80. I’m not sure that’s enough to make this big of an impact. But we’ll see… Stay tuned folks!!

 

I had to take a grinder to the ends of the brake pads on my Tundra. I don't know if they were OEM or aftermarket but they were rubbing on the calipers. At first it was wheel hop but as it got worse it started getting hard to brake. At first I assumed it was from the rotors getting rusty (it sits for long periods of time) but I finally figured it out. A few seconds with an angle grinder and now the pads slide into the calipers with just a bit of play. Both the brake hop and the hard braking are a thing of the past.