'03 SE Brake Issue - What would you do?

[pdoel]

Here's the deal. I have an '03 Sport Edition. 31,000 miles. Will have had it for 3 years next month.

So far, I've had to replace the front pads at 17,000 miles, again at 24,000 miles, and now, for the third time, at 31,000 miles.

Dealer says there's absolutely nothing wrong with the vehicle.

Since the last brake install, the brakes squeel all the time. Many times, even without my foot on the pedal. If I tap the brakes, they'll stop for about 3 seconds, then start again.

I even noticed that first thing in the morning, drive a mile down the road and back, wash the car, and steam just POURS out of the front wheels. Seems to me that maybe the calipers are sticking?

Dealer says everything is in working order, and they're just baffled (but of course, want another $200 to put on new pads).

My last 4Runner ('99 SR5 Highlander) had 60,000 miles on it with original brakes all around, when I traded it in. Vehicle before that was an Explorer, 65,000 miles before brake replacement.

I also have an '00 New Beetle that I just now put replacement pads on after 51,000 miles.

I do NO towing.

I told the dealership to just put it back together and I'll take it somewhere where, hopefully, they can actually tell me what's wrong. This dealership tells me to expect to be back in 7,000 miles from now for a new set.

They did say that if a different place finds the problem, to please let them know so they can inform other customers in the future.

:bash:

 

[sharp4runr]

Definitely take it to a different place as the dealership you've been dealing with is content to just take your money for a temporary fix.

When was the last time you've flushed the brake fluid? A contaminated brake system may cause the pistons to stick. Have you examined the pistons to see if there is any corrosion?

I'm at about 29k now and the brakes just started squealing. Of course I came back from Rausch Creek about two months ago so I kind of expected the brakes to be used. I would think each brake pad replacement should get you at least another 20-25k.

 

[toybox]

Are all the pads worn evenly? A siezed caliper usually causes one pad to be excessively worn.

Did the pistons push back into the caliper easily on your 3 brake jobs?

If they told you to expect only 7k out of a set of pads I would have told them to F-off and would complain directly to Toyota about them.

You should ask for a manager or the manager of the whole dealership and ask him if he thinks 7k is normal brake life for a 4runner.

My Landcruiser, which is notorious for wearing pads quickly, got between 8 and 11k between pad changes.

 

[Sac State]

So far, I've had to replace the front pads at 17,000 miles, again at 24,000 miles, and now, for the third time, at 21,000 miles.

How can you go from 24K miles to 21K miles, you driving backward?

Anyway, mine have squeeled since day 1, I have 55K on it now and was told I have 19% pad remaining. My dealer actually told me to stomp on the brakes while on a deserted freeway driving freeway speed to clear the dust off the brakes.

 

[srpage]

I have 34,000 miles on my 03 and we still have about 60 percent of the original brake pads left. My mechanic said the brakes are so large on the 4th Gen 4runners they are lasting quite a long time.

Something has to be wrong for you to see such short brake pad life.

 

[sharp4runr]

Also have them show you your old brake pads. Have a caliper and measure them to see if in fact they are out of spec. Could be the dealership is just charging you for a brake job you don't need.

 

[pdoel]

Just an update. A couple weeks ago, I called Toyota. Told them the problem, gave them the history I've had with the dealership, and asked them what I should do. They got in touch with the service manager at the dealership. He called me, and had me bring it back in.

Dropped it off Sunday night (June 18th). They told me there were no real tests they could run to test the calipers. They thought there was a way to adjust them, but Toyota said there wasn't.

So they compared it to an '06. Put them both on a lift and spun the wheels. The '06's wheel made it 1.5 revolutions before stopping on it's own. Mine didn't even make it to half a revolution. So they figured there was a problem.

Talked to Toyota, and Toyota suggested they replace the master cylinder, the electronic brake booster, the front rooters and the front pads. They said they would also like to replace the rear pads (only thing I'd have to pay for). So far, no squeeling. Although, it doesn't feel quite right on the pedal. Not really sure how to explain it. But just a strange feeling coming through the pedal.

But now, the most frustrating part. When I dropped it off, I was having trouble getting the sunroof closed. So I wrote that on the order. When I picked it up, the paperwork said they could not reproduce the problem, that it seemed to be functioning just fine, so they didn't do anything.

Brought it home, drove it yesterday in the rain. Come home from work tonight (first time having the sunroof open), and it won't close. It's stuck open.

I've had it with this dealership. They are pathetic. They had this vehicle for 4 days, and couldn't take 5 minutes out to really look at the sunroof?

 

[EdDucks916]

Either you are having bad luck with your brakes or the dealership is charging you for more than they should. My brake pads are in need of replacing right now...after 45K miles...and I stayed on the routine maintenance schedule. It's going to be 3 years that I've had this 4Runner.

 

[Coralkillah]

I agree, something wrong there. I have a 03' Sport V8, 3 years and 4 months with 55, 000. Semi-Harsh street use. Gonna replace front pads adn change out to Steel Braided lines for better pedal feel, but still have around half the pad left-give or take.....

 

[Anthony Hynes]

Bad Brakes - and most other things

In the last year I have found that three of 2 wheels had seized brakes (on). All the rotors and pads were replaced 50% at my cost. 2 weeks later the rotors needed to be turned becasue of warping. 1.5 months later another caliper (recently rebuilt) siezed. 4 months later and another one is siezed on. My warrenty has expired now and I am thinking of rebuilding these on my own and possibly going to aftermarket parts. BTW the first time the failed was at 34000 miles. I am starting th think there is another flaw in the design of this vehicle.