Brake Vibration Problem - '02 4Runner SR5 2WD

[haggey]

I am a new member to the board and would like to know if anybody has experienced a similar brake vibration problem on 3rd Gen 4Runner and how best to resolve with Toyota Service.

My 2002 4Runner SR5 2WD has 31,000 miles on it and Toyota has replaced the rotors twice already, the first time at 11,000 miles and again at 31,000 miles (I have never towed anything). Both times I went to the dealer because my car was vibrating severely upon braking at any speed, but the new rotors only elminated the vibration for a few thousand miles.

The service manager at the dealership at my latest visit said I warped the rotors by overheating the brakes on my 10 mile commute (200ft. elevation change between Pacific Palisades and Westwood, in Los Angeles), and suggested that I downshift to 2nd gear for downhill part of my commute (these are not steep grades, merely rolling hills). He said that going downhill in the 4Runner causes all the braking power to shift to the front brakes which tend to overheat as a result, however claims that this is not a problem they can fix. He refused to call Toyota's Regional Technician to further investigate the problem until my warranty is over. He said that after my warranty is over if the rotors warp again, he would be happy to call out Toyota's technician to look at the car and try to have the replacement made at no charge.

1. Has anybody experienced a similar braking vibration and warped rotor problem with their 3rd Gen 4Runner?
2. My problem sounds extremely similar to that of the '02 Tundra which is well documented on website (link below). Does anybody know if the '02 4Runner and Tundra share similar brake system?
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/toyota_tundra_brakes.html
3. If the new rotors don

 

[toyoboy]

it sounds like the dealer is on the right path. theirs really nothing they can do. they already replaced the rotors, and you still have the same problem. have the rotor straighten and start down shifting when going down hill.

 

[jwyshrek]

Did they check for a 'sticking' brake caliper?

After you depress the brakes, the caliper is suppose to retract the brake pads just enough so that the pads don't make contact with the rotor. But if it is 'sticking' then it doesn't retract enough and the pads make constant (although you may not notice) with rotor causing undue heat build up....which could cause premature rotor wrappring.

Not sure what kind of calipers your 4Runner has, but if it is like most cars from the factory, it is the 'floating' type...meaning that caliper relies on two slid pins and one piston to move the pads back and forth....unlike the higher end calipers which use two or more pistions (one on each side and the calipers are bolted to the caliper mounts)...

good luck,
jwyshrek

 

[haggey]

Thanks for the advice Toyoboy and Jwyshrek.

The service manager said everything was working properly with the brake system, that the calipers are releasing properly and that all the hydraulics are functioning properly. I'm quite surprised that the rotors would warp at such a short interval twice under light driving, but they say there is no problem with the system.

Toyota Customer Care offered an extended warranty to cover up to 6 years and 70,000 miles. The customer care rep said that warped rotors would be replaced under the extended warranty regardless of cause, so I guess I'll wait and see if it happens again.

Haggey