2003 4WD Limited Brakes Acting Weird

[Buckaroo93]

Sometimes, not all the time mind you, when I press my brakes even slightly it feels as though they "grab" (for lack of better description) and stay that way for several seconds even after I let off of them. What could be up? No warning lights or anything.

 

[Brian3676]

Sometimes, not all the time mind you, when I press my brakes even slightly it feels as though they "grab" (for lack of better description) and stay that way for several seconds even after I let off of them. What could be up? No warning lights or anything.

Check for stuck caliper/seized caliper pistons. Very common in our cars.

 

[Morphyne]

Check for stuck caliper/seized caliper pistons. Very common in our cars.

Very.

 

[AuSeeker]

I concur, sounds like a sticking caliper/s.

 

[Bossman]

Here are some links regarding this all-too-common problem:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/problems-warranty-issues/61456-add-me-frozen-caliper-club.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/57869-frozen-calipers-how-many-others-had-problem.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/119371-infamous-frozed-up-brake-caliper.html

 

[Buckaroo93]

Check for stuck caliper/seized caliper pistons. Very common in our cars.

How do I check this?

 

[AuSeeker]

The easiest way is to check the temperture of each wheel after driving for a bit, if you find that a wheel/s is hotter than the others it would confirm a sticky caliber, best way is to use a infrared temperture gun, you can buy one from $10 to $100, of course the more you pay usually the better the tool, you can also just use your hand and feel of each wheel for a noticeable different, you just won't know by how much, the more there's a difference in the temperture tells you to what degree the caliber is sticking/locking up.

 

[duffdog]

It could also be the ABS system. On my truck, if I hit the brakes and go over a pothole, the truck automatically pulses and releases the brakes repeatedly without me doing anything with the pedal. All calipers pads and discs are new, I'm not sure what this means but its definitely not mechanical in nature and has something to do with the ABS getting confused somehow and deciding that the brakes need to be on and off and then on again.

 

[nayborbob]

I think you can look at both sides of the rotor to see if both are shiny. You can also tell just looking at the pad thickness on each side... frozen one does not wear... I had pass side freeze and I think it led to a bearing failure on that side... circumstantial evidence, but wonder if others have seen that.

Bob

 

[Morphyne]

How do I check this?

I usually take a pad out and have my son give the brake pedal a push. I use a small, flat pry bar to push it back in. But don't push it all the way to the rotor bc you may not be able to get it back in.