Anyone know what this could be?

[zerowkul98]

My 03 Sport Edition V8 has some symptoms, not sure what it could be. Id love to hear some other people's thoughts:

- Pulls a little to the right when i brake INITIALLY, then is fine until i stay off the brake a while.

- im feeling s vibrating-metal feeling in the passenger floorboards when it hits a bump.

So whatcha think? Tierod? Yet ANOTHER set of front calipers? XREAS giving out?

 

[CNJ Runner]

IMO, its a brake problem, If it was a tie rod it wouldn't happen just when braking.

 

[snowbrdr033]

Possible warped rotor(s) on front end?

 

[black_120]

maybe the infamous frozen caliper? Highly likely.

 

[MikeInNH]

If it's pulling either left or right...then it's a frozen caliper. The slight vibration could also be a frozen caliper. This vehicle front calipers have 4 pistons. If ONE of the pistons is frozen it can cause a vibration when you brake. Most other vehicles that have 1 or even 2 piston calipers won't vibrate when you brake...the 4 piston design will though.

 

[zimdba]

I would think that the frozen caliper would cause the rotor to overheat & warp. This would cause the vibration. Most likely you now have two problems.

 

[TOY2G]

I have fixed this before... what happens on our trucks is the caliper starts to stick or has stuck in the pas resulting in a very worn pad on one side but not the other. When this happens the little return spring clip on your brake pads pushes the brakes slightly apart during the period you are not using your breaks. when you hit the breaks again later, the side with more pad left with reach the rotor first, and once the other side catches up the problem goes away.

pull your tires off and check your brakes pads, it is likely you will notice one side is worn much more than the other.

things to keep in mind
new brake pads will only temporally cure the problem
never turn rotors past run-out (they can warp very easily)
if this in-fact your problem, you better count on needing at least one new brake caliper.

 

[zerowkul98]

Yeah, that's what im suspecting as well.

My 08 was doing the same thing a couple weeks ago when the dealer replaced both calipers, and one of the newbies happened to be malfunctioning. They replaced again, works fine now.

Guess im going to be replacing calipers on the 03 for the THIRD FRIGGIN TIME!

I had A1 Cardones put on last time (lasted 17 months). Anyone have a recommendation as to which brand to have put on this time?

Should i go OEM? Maybe a different brand? Id appreciate some opinions here from anyone who has done this before and has had GOOD LUCK with the replacements.:dammit:

 

[sonerick]

I got my replacements at NAPA, and they've been holding up good so far. They are re-manned toyota units, but the seals around the pistons seem better than stockers and they are painted black out of the box, which is a nice bonus. They were right around 100 after core charge, but they included new hardware (m-springs, slide pins, etc.). NAPA stands behind their products too, so I'd recommend them.

Alternatively, you could buy the cheapo Duralast ones at Autozone, which do usually come with a nice warranty and are pretty cheap. Some people have had decent luck with them.

 

[MikeInNH]

I would think that the frozen caliper would cause the rotor to overheat & warp. This would cause the vibration. Most likely you now have two problems.

Warping rotors does cause vibration...but so does just a stuck caliper. The design of the rotors with the use of 4 pistons can cause this. If one of the pistons is STUCK...then when the brakes are applied it causes uneven pressure to the rotor...thus causing a vibration.

 

[zerowkul98]

Let me clear this up: The vibration feels as if there is a skid plate loose, or the like. NOTHING to do with braking.

Im just hoping my XREAS is no going out on me. Granted I have the FJ springs already, just need the bilsteins, but im paying off the holiday bills....u know what im sayin?