Brake Issue?

[pmdata]

First off, I have a 2007 SR5 4WD with about 4K on the odometer. About five months old.

It's been a bad weather weekend. Lots of snow, water and ice.

Tonight I noticed that during moderate braking at low speeds, if feels like the front brakes are grabbing/shuddering. It vibrates and you can feel it and hear it pretty easily. It also seems to noise dive. I was in 4WD unlocked.

As an example, I was going about 5mph down my street and hit the brakes moderately to make a left and they felt like they were binding up. I consider myself a good driver and I know what ABS feels like. This doesn't seem right.

I thought it might have been ABS kicking in, but it's a lot more pronounced. I tested it out on some ice, and the ABS seemed to kick in normally without the shudder. I'm not sure, but it may have started after I drove through six inches of water: the end of a street was flooded this afternoon.

I've also had a brake squeak issue that shouldn't be there. Related?

Unless anyone thinks this is normal or part of ABS, it's headed to the dealer to get checked out.

 

[toto]

Sounds like the ABS to me, possibly with the influence of the VSC.

 

[pmdata]

Sounds like the ABS to me, possibly with the influence of the VSC.

After taking it out to a lot for 20mins to test it out, I think you are right.

I guess I'm not used to the 4Runner's ABS system. Which is my fault and not the truck's. This is my first real storm with the new ride, and I guess it was a good way to get me used to the brakes.

I put it through a good series of braking tests and it was all ABS. FWIW, the stopping power is excellent considering the NE roads are all now one big sheet of ice.

Anyway, I think it was my lack of experience that was the issue, but I'll update if I have a problem.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[pmdata]

So I was able to replicate the issue.

After giving my truck a thorough wash, which for me includes spraying/washing down the under carriage wheels and brakes, the shuddering under moderate braking was back. I was able to dry them out after only a few minutes of driving by lightly applying the brakes at 35-40mph for a few hundred feet. However, the first stop out of the car wash was bad. A shuddering/vibrating that is more than ABS.

My question is for those of you who cross streams or any standing water, is this normal? Is it sop to dry out your brakes after washing or driving through hub level water? The last time I had this issue is when I crossed a flooded street with 6" of water.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[pmdata]

btt

No one here has had any brake issues after going through deep water or giving the brakes a good washing?

 

[sharp4runr]

btt

No one here has had any brake issues after going through deep water or giving the brakes a good washing?

You'll have the same effect if you come out of an automatic car wash. It only happens right after and goes away. I've never had issues when driving through a rain storm.

 

[pmdata]

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.