possible brake problems?

[wrestler157]

ok first off i have steering wheel vibrations when driving 63-70 mph i would say that i need to have my tires balanced correct?

also when i am traveling on the interstate and brake i get a really strong shake in the wheel and kind of pulls. i would think that being warped rotors correct?

then lastly i was creeping thru the parking garage at work and herd a squealing noise with my foot off of the brake and just coasting it was really faint though. then when just creeping like in traffic and i have to keep braking i hear the noise again. but i do not hear it if i am going faster than a creep and then brake.... any thoughts??

 

[MikeInNH]

i would think that being warped rotors correct?

MAYBE....could also be a stuck caliper. On most vehicles a stuck caliper won't give you the feeling of a warped rotor..but because the calipers on this vehicle have a 4 piston caliper (2 on each side of the rotor)....if one of the pistons is stuck...it will cause uneven pressure to the rotor and thus causing it to vibrate.

As for the squealing...could be the brake wear indicator. It's basically a small piece of very flimsy metal that is designed to make noise when it comes in contact with a moving rotor.

 

[blaniac22]

It is also not unheard of that warped rotors can cause front end vibration (without the brakes applied); but try rebalancing the tires first.

Sounds like you may have a couple of relatively minor issues all coming together.

 

[PWGUNNY]

I overhauled my 4runner last summer and at that time the '04 car had 90,000 miles on it. I needed to replace both front calipers. Probably the only area of trouble with these vehicles were the calipers. I had the same symptoms you are reporting with your vehicle.

 

[nicolachel]

Could be the calipers.
Actually I replaced front rotors/pads first and then found out that calipers are pushing them together constantly(the old rotors/pads are thiner so they don't have the same problem).
Replaced calipers today and no more issue(vibrating of front end+steering wheel esp. when braking at high speeds).

 

[wrestler157]

thanks everyone for the replies. does anyone recommend a certain caliper? im thinking im just going to replace calipers,brakes, and rotors to know its all brand new stuff there.
so if anybody has any suggestions on the parts i should use would be great thanks

 

[MikeInNH]

You're NOT going to buy a new caliper..just a rebuilt one....I've been buying Wagner from a local parts supplier....The rebuilt caliper lasted longer then the NEW OEM caliper...

I don't think you'll find one rebuilt brand much better then another.

There are aftermarket NEW rotors also...but I found them to be very expensive and I've been only able to find them on-line. Not sure if they're worth it. Replacing a caliper on this vehicle is simple. And not sure if the aftermarket rotors are any better.

 

[wrestler157]

You're NOT going to buy a new caliper..just a rebuilt one....I've been buying Wagner from a local parts supplier....The rebuilt caliper lasted longer then the NEW OEM caliper...

so your saying buy a rebuilt caliper? sorry i dont know alot about brakes so just trying to learn a little bit.

 

[MikeInNH]

You have 3 choices...

#1 - NEW OEM caliper...Very expensive.

#2 - NEW aftermarket caliper. Still expensive. Usually these are higher performance calipers.

#3 - Rebuilt Caliper. 99% of the time this is what people and independent mechanics do. About 1/3 the price of New OEM calipers...and as good and in some cases better.

 

[wrestler157]

ok sweet thanks for the help!