Trying to figure out what is causing the shake when breaking hard..

A

AZ4runner08

New member
When I first bought my 2008 SE V8, I noticed a slight shake when I would break hard. Since then I have removed XReas, changed out rear springs, new Bilstiens all around, brand new tires, new front rotors and brake pads and 4 wheel alignment. I still have this slight shake when I brake hard. Could it possible be the drive shaft? I have the issue where I have to over grease it because of the good old "thump", so could it be the cause? The only other thing I can think of is the rear rotors are warped, but I have never had rear rotors warp before so I though I would run it past you guys to see what your thoughts are. The rims are clean, no scraps or any marks that indicate they could be the cause. Any thoughts? :frusty:
 
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Back rotors, or your wheels weren't put on with a torque wrench causing your brake rotors to warp early.
 
Several folks with the issue you mentioned related the issue to sticky calipers.. These calipers aren't the best and have a pretty high failure rate.
 
Front calipers are good, I just had the front brakes down within the past 4,000 miles so if one was frozen then they would have let me know. I guess the next step would be to do the back rotors, and would also find out if either of those calipers are frozen during the process. I do plan on purchasing the updated drive shaft in the next 6 months so I guess I will take it a step at a time and see if I can resolve it. Its not to bad, it only happens when I really have to brake hard so its rare. I tend to just cruise along and stay back on the vehicles in front of me but it is annoying when I do have to get on the brakes...
 
When it shakes, does the steering wheel also vibrate or shake or wiggle?

If not, it's perhaps you rear brake rotors. If so, it may be the fronts sticking in the guide pins or the lower piston issue.
 
Greydog said:
When it shakes, does the steering wheel also vibrate or shake or wiggle?

If not, it's perhaps you rear brake rotors. If so, it may be the fronts sticking in the guide pins or the lower piston issue.
Click to expand...

Can you clarify what you mean by the lower piston issue? Like in the motor? Sorry don't mean to sound like a dumbass, just want to make sure I understand what you mean. thx
 
Ok I did a quick search and think you mean lower piston issue as in the caliper. I know the fronts are good, so will get the rears taken care of soon. The carfax showed a full brake job right before I bought it. I called the shop to see what exactly the brake job entailed, but without the previous license plate number or owners name, they had no way of looking it up for me. Find that odd, because it was reported on the carfax....
 
AZ4runner08 said:
When I first bought my 2008 SE V8, I noticed a slight shake when I would break hard. Since then I have removed XReas, changed out rear springs, new Bilstiens all around, brand new tires, new front rotors and brake pads and 4 wheel alignment. I still have this slight shake when I brake hard. Could it possible be the drive shaft? I have the issue where I have to over grease it because of the good old "thump", so could it be the cause? The only other thing I can think of is the rear rotors are warped, but I have never had rear rotors warp before so I though I would run it past you guys to see what your thoughts are. The rims are clean, no scraps or any marks that indicate they could be the cause. Any thoughts? :frusty:
Click to expand...

Shaking when braking is almost always caused by warped brake rotors. If your steering wheel shakes it's the front rotors. If the pedal pulses its the rear. If you're not sure which one just get all 4 rotors resurfaced and your problem will be solved for sure. I've had to resurface the front rotors on my Tacoma 2 times in the last 2 years cause I drive too fast and brake late.
 
Nelsontacoma said:
Shaking when braking is almost always caused by warped brake rotors. If your steering wheel shakes it's the front rotors. If the pedal pulses its the rear. If you're not sure which one just get all 4 rotors resurfaced and your problem will be solved for sure. I've had to resurface the front rotors on my Tacoma 2 times in the last 2 years cause I drive too fast and brake late.
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I am now leaning towards the rear rotors. I did do the front and it did seem to resolve the shake in the steering wheel, but as you said I am now feeling the shake in the brake pedal only. Thanks for the response, will try to get the rears done soon and hoping it fully resolves it. I have had to dump some extra money into this truck since I bought it but well worth it.
 
AZ4runner08 said:
I am now leaning towards the rear rotors. I did do the front and it did seem to resolve the shake in the steering wheel, but as you said I am now feeling the shake in the brake pedal only. Thanks for the response, will try to get the rears done soon and hoping it fully resolves it. I have had to dump some extra money into this truck since I bought it but well worth it.
Click to expand...

Did you get the rears done yet? Just wanted to see if you got the problem resolved. BTW It's always worth the money when you're putting it in a Toyota.
 
Check your control arm bushings. I had the same situation and symptoms you describe on another car and that's what it was.
 
For me is was a shudder not shaking. It was a bad set of parking brake shoes that caused it to stick as I came close to a stop. Didn't happen in reverse. So changed or the rear rotors. Rear pads. Rear parking shoes. And flushed all the fluid out since I was in there. That's been 16000 miles ago.
 
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