HELP! PLEASE!, Front Brake Nightmare

[papabear1126]

1997 T4R, Limited, Automatic, 16" wheels. All factory (not going to keep it long term or would do the Tundra brake upgrade, but want it safe at least for now)
Initial issue, left front had pulsing similar to warped rotor.
On both sides I Replaced pads, rotors. On the left front noticed some sluggishness in one piston going in, but after pressing brake some with pads and rotor in place, I tried again depressing the interior piston side, I pressed the side in together using the old pad for even pressure, they both went in smooth enough, maybe I initially pressed them in using uneven pressure?
OR, so I thought!
Not 50 miles later, left front pulsing again!
I usually buy from Napa and get their better quality BUT, I had a brain fart and got new pads, rotors, and "caliper" from Advance Auto.
BIG MISTAKE!
Went to install the new caliper and bleeder plug would not seat, upon closer inspection it was an obvious poor machined bleeder plug hole, returned it to Advance, swaped for another, inspected it, no bleeder plug issue, figured it to be fine, WRONG move again!
Figured the new pads and rotors with barely 50 miles on would be fine....
Wrong again???
Pulsing again!!!!
Now I am pissed!
Talked with neighbor, an ASE mechanic does these all day, He said the Advance pads were too thin return the Advance pads and rotors and get them from Napa. So I did and YES! Napa rotor MUCH thicker, larger cooling slots, even heavier!
So, installed Napa quality pads, their thicker rotors, and I THINK mechanic neighbor bleed it based on how clear the resevior fluid was and how much was left in the quart bottle I gave him.
Thought I was on the right track....
Today, barely drove it and the pulse is back!!!!!!!!!!!:dammit:
I THINK!?!?! The "new Advance auto caliper is bad!!?!?!
I can tell by feel from driving this t4r and I have another Identical SR5, what it feels like,,, it does not feel like normal rotor warp pulsing, to me...
To me, it feel like a caliper piston.
THAT IS MY QUESTION????
Could it be some air in the line?
Does not pull to one side or other when braking.
Could it be a caliper hanging up causing uneven pressure to the one side of one pad?
Already talked to Advance manager, he will make good one a set of pads, rotors AND the Caliper, all $ back AND will give me the cash for a NAPA caliper core since they took my factory caliper (Had to print out Napas caliper core charge, BUt, they are making good one it!)
BUT, before I go through all that,
You Folks Have ANY other ideas? lOOSING MY MIND HERE!! tHANKS!!

 

[Kenworth]

You may have an issue with a wheel bearing?

 

[Bob J]

Could it be some air in the line?
Does not pull to one side or other when braking.
Could it be a caliper hanging up causing uneven pressure to the one side of one pad?

If there is air in the line you would notice a soft brake pedal so that is not likely... The most common cause for this is a warped rotor or a brake caliper piston hanging up but if that were the case your brake job would have fixed it... Undersized pads is also off the table and if your friend did the work then we can assume that the clips are all properly installed so the pads are secure.... A bearing going out could give you this but you would probably also notice a rumbling sound from that side as low speeds.... If there is any question jack that side of the car and give the wheel a couple of shakes with your hands at 12 and 6 oclock.... If there is any significant wiggle then the bearing will probably need to be replaced....

The only other thing I can think of would be a sensor issue if you have ABS.... If this is the case you should also be getting a warning light when this occurs...

 

[papabear1126]

REALLY APPRECIATE REPLIES!
Thanks!
I have been leaning to the caliper that was replaced because.
The yota caliper had one piston sticking going in,
Replaced with a Advanced Auto BUT that one had a bad bleeder seat,
returned that for a swap, supposed "better quality" so say Advanced.
Again replaced pads and rotors and it is still doing it.
"It being a noise as I begin to break that sounds like,, uneven rubbing?
or uneven applying of the pads to the rotors?
If the "better" caliper from Advance has a piston hanging up that would do it right?
BUT, I will jack it up and try moving it as suggested for the wheel bearing check.
What started this, in the very beginning, I removed the pads and rotor and the inside of the rotor was half worn with the unworn half rusty.
That was what set me on this caliper coarse but now with a second caliper I was hoping it would go away, BUT then again, the caliper came from the same store that had the bad bleeder,
SO,,, I am leaning to bad QC on the second Advance caliper?
so freaking disgusted at this point....
already changed the line in and bled it... wits end....:redbrick:

 

[Bob J]

REALLY APPRECIATE REPLIES!
Thanks!
I have been leaning to the caliper that was replaced because.
The yota caliper had one piston sticking going in,
Replaced with a Advanced Auto BUT that one had a bad bleeder seat,
returned that for a swap, supposed "better quality" so say Advanced.
Again replaced pads and rotors and it is still doing it.
"It being a noise as I begin to break that sounds like,, uneven rubbing?
or uneven applying of the pads to the rotors?
If the "better" caliper from Advance has a piston hanging up that would do it right?
BUT, I will jack it up and try moving it as suggested for the wheel bearing check.
What started this, in the very beginning, I removed the pads and rotor and the inside of the rotor was half worn with the unworn half rusty.
That was what set me on this caliper coarse but now with a second caliper I was hoping it would go away, BUT then again, the caliper came from the same store that had the bad bleeder,
SO,,, I am leaning to bad QC on the second Advance caliper?
so freaking disgusted at this point....
already changed the line in and bled it... wits end....:redbrick:

No problem.... Let us know when you have had a chance to check your bearing.... I replace all 4 of mine with NAPA remans and it was a world of improvement when braking.... They are also lifetime warrantee so you might want to give them a look if you end up replacing your caliper again...;- )

 

[papabear1126]

Bearing replacement help

I had the front brake thread going that after all repairs had posts suggesting replacing bearings.
Without beating a deadhorse with a new thread,
Anyone have links to the step by step idiot (me) version to change the front bearings?
Thanks

 

[Bob J]

I've never done it myself but I understand that the biggest issue is pressing the bearing into place.... Did find this thread with the main part numbers for your generation.... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/178572-wheel-bearing-replacment-question.html

Also, I typically use partznet for a number of my OEM parts.... The link is here 1997 Toyota 4Runner Parts - Conicelli Parts Center

One of the nice things about partznet is that it shows the exploded diagram which contains all of the related parts (seals, pins etc) and how they all go together.... Its a real help in understanding what is needed for a job and what I expect to see when I do the work.....