Brakes warping every couple thousand miles.

[99 sr5 highlander]

I know that the 4runner brakes are notoriously bad and prone to warping, but in the last year I've had to either turn or replace them 3 times. They are warped again and it doesn't make much sense that the small rotors are the only reason. I didn't have to replace them for a few years before this, so I'm wondering If anybody could help lead me in the right direction as to what else could be wrong. Thanks.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

maybe your rear brakes aren't functioning properly so most of the braking is being done by the front brakes, most especially if you're always towing. normally about 70-75% of the braking is being done by the front brakes.

another would be that some of the caliper pistons are seized.

another would be that during installation of wheels, the lugnuts are improperly tightened using power wrenches. This alone can cause warping of the rotors.

 

[IanB]

X2 on the above, overtorqued lugnuts can warp rotors. If it's the kind of use that's causing it (towing, riding brakes down long decents, etc), maybe the 231mm tundra brakes upgrade would do the trick?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Having the rotors turned didn't help you any. They're already paper thin so it just makes them that much more prone to warping.

But what has been said above is dead on. Check the rear brakes and adjust them accordingly, make sure you're front calipers are good and torque the front wheels the spec.

Good luck. Tundra brake upgrade is well worth it.

 

[Drcoffee]

I will add one more possible reason. If the calipers are corroded, it can stop the pistons from retracting away from the rotors. This would overheat and warp the rotors pretty quickly. As pitbull mentioned above, cutting already thin rotors is just making the condition occur faster. I upgraded to the 199mm setup for right around $300 from rockauto.com. No more shake and she stops on a dime. If you tow then the 233mm would be a little beefier.

Letting the shake persist will only wear out the steering components.

 

[psiems]

I would never turn today's mass manufactured rotors. These are not the same rotors used on vehicles built two decades ago. They are much lighter any more prone to warping. Honestly, I would replace the rotors with every brake job or spend the extra cash on a high end set.

 

[99 sr5 highlander]

Well I did some more research and came to the conclusion that the calipers were bad, so I finally bit the bullet and did the 231mm tundra brake swap. Broke them in and man it stops well. The pedal does have a little more movement, but I'm not too concerned about that.

 

[RussToy]

Hey, how much did it cost you to step up to the 231 mm brakes? Where did you get your parts...Toyota, NAPA, ??

Drcoffee said he spent $300 for the 199mm. Just wondering if its more costly for the bigger 231mm?

Thanks for your time...

 

[99 sr5 highlander]

Hey, how much did it cost you to step up to the 231 mm brakes? Where did you get your parts...Toyota, NAPA, ??

Drcoffee said he spent $300 for the 199mm. Just wondering if its more costly for the bigger 231mm?

Thanks for your time...

I spent $300 buying the pads and rotors at O'reilly's and Re-manufactured calipers at Autozone.