Brakes... I think

[ujdmc]

The last time I had my rotors serviced they said I would need to buy new ones the next time. Thus, I know the rotors are aging. Within the past month I noticed a rhythmic "bumping" when I placed the truck in reverse. It was almost as if there was something physically in the brakes but it felt like it was in the rear and not the front. After driving the vehicle for a few minutes I don't notice this anymore until the vehicle sits for a while.

The truck physically shakes pretty badly when I apply the brakes so i am thinking I need to replace both front rotors and back drums but I am afraid to run into a money pit. I do know all pads are fine. Truck has 230K miles on it.

Any suggestions? Should I go ahead and replace the brakes and hope this solves the problem? Or could there be something worse that I am not aware of?

 

[BTO]

I'd guess warped front rotors and probably oily rear drums from leaking seals.

Replace the rotors, pads, shoes and clean the drums (maybe have them turned). Make sure the diff breather is breathing. Don't skim on the shoes. Clean the entire drum setup and deburr and lube all shoe sliding points. Even after all that expect marginal braking at best.

No other way to state it, these 4runners have crap brakes.