Good morning everyone. I'm hoping to get some help and/or opinions on this. I know it's not new news that most of us have had front caliper issues and the brakes on the front of the 4Runner suck to say the least even per Consumer Reports. At least for me I have had issues with them since the day I bought the vehicle in 2005... So in advance I'll apologize for long email, but this issue has been going on for 10 years. I have a lot of baggage to air out... ;-) We live in the NC area where there is average weather, no salt and decent temps. 4Runner is driven on street only, not for mudding, etc. So normal to light use, no towing either.
I now have 151,000 on the vehicle and original calipers. Various shops say they look good and are not sticking, so WHY the premature pad and/or front rotor wear? I've tried Brembo rotors and EBC Ultimax slotted, with various pad combos and still or end up with pulsing at hwy speeds, where the steering shakes in about 10,000 - 11,000 miles? It's really a PITA and each time I have this done I say this is it, I found the solution this will work... Not the case.
So, this time around I have EBC Ultimax slotted rotors and EBC 7000 Green Stuff pads with brake fluid changed that were put on back May 2014 and 10,000 miles later warped again and the rotors look like they were shaved they're so worn down on both sides (no single line groves, just overall). When brakes are applied it's not pulling to one side or the other, so calipers appear to be working when applied. I often think that when on hwy they heat up because caliper is not releasing all the way, then when applied the rotor is already hot and pulsing/steering wheel shakes. Could that be the case? Seems to only happen on hwy.
I've read that NAPA or AutoZone have lifetime warranty on calipers and I can get them without the pads for about $80/each. I doubt that I will use the EBC 7000 series pads again as they're too dusty. I was told that it’s good to replace the pads with new rotors even if pads are okay? These darn 7000 series pads are like $120, but I’ll probably use another type with the same rotor since I have Ultimax on rear too.
Thanks for any input on this 10 year issue…
Have a great day.
I now have 151,000 on the vehicle and original calipers. Various shops say they look good and are not sticking, so WHY the premature pad and/or front rotor wear? I've tried Brembo rotors and EBC Ultimax slotted, with various pad combos and still or end up with pulsing at hwy speeds, where the steering shakes in about 10,000 - 11,000 miles? It's really a PITA and each time I have this done I say this is it, I found the solution this will work... Not the case.
So, this time around I have EBC Ultimax slotted rotors and EBC 7000 Green Stuff pads with brake fluid changed that were put on back May 2014 and 10,000 miles later warped again and the rotors look like they were shaved they're so worn down on both sides (no single line groves, just overall). When brakes are applied it's not pulling to one side or the other, so calipers appear to be working when applied. I often think that when on hwy they heat up because caliper is not releasing all the way, then when applied the rotor is already hot and pulsing/steering wheel shakes. Could that be the case? Seems to only happen on hwy.
I've read that NAPA or AutoZone have lifetime warranty on calipers and I can get them without the pads for about $80/each. I doubt that I will use the EBC 7000 series pads again as they're too dusty. I was told that it’s good to replace the pads with new rotors even if pads are okay? These darn 7000 series pads are like $120, but I’ll probably use another type with the same rotor since I have Ultimax on rear too.
Thanks for any input on this 10 year issue…
Have a great day.
