Post front brake job problems. HELP!

[caryhey]

I just brought my 07 in for routine balance, rotate and brake check since I could feel a little pulsing in the front (47K). Service guys said I needed a brake job asap but I've done many myself on a 97 t4r so didn't even consider letting them do it. Brought rotors to O'Reilly and they said there was a slight warp but could turn them one cut only. When returned they only showed cut on half of each rotor. Reinstalled and test drove with new ceramic pads. Now have such a bad pulsing that it's undrivable over 10 mph. Friend told me to check the ABS connectors, spin the tires and disconnect the battery for 5 min. Wheels spin normally and connectors look fine with no crimps in any lines. Seems like ABS is kicking in for no reason. Any ideas of a step I missed?

Thanks
Cary

 

[djlandkpl]

Could be the rotors are bad. Make sure all of the mating surfaces are clean and that the parts are on flat. Rotor to hub, rim to rotor.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

First off the rotors after improperly turned, I don't know their policy, but they can turn a rotor as much as they want as long as it is within the machine to specification. the entire surface of the rotor when the brake pad contacts should be a nice even cut with preferably a non directional finish. ceramic pads don't usually wear easily and eat up rotors more than the pad, if the rotors are warped or improperly turned our could cause some nasty vibration since the pads won't wear in as easily as say a semi metallic pad.

Another possible issue may be a sticking caliper.

 

[DRC]

Your first problem was taking the rotors to O'Reilly’s to have them turned. They don’t know what they are doing…Sorry folks at O’Reilly’s! Unfortunately a good machine shop is hard to find these days.

They did the same thing to me. Before I brought my rotors to O’Reilly’s I checked them for runout. They were perfect. They only had 35k on them and needed a light surfacing as I was upgrading the pads to EBC green stuff. Anyway, I took the rotors over to O’Reilly’s and had them turned. When I called to see if they were ready the guy starts telling me I had a lot of runout on the left rotor but he was able to make several passes and get it cleaned up. Funny, I was thinking they were fine when I dropped them off.

When I got them home and mounted up, I rechecked for runout and the left side had about a 1/8 inch wobble. WTF. When I removed the rotor you could easily see that the rotor was cut deeper on half of the back side and shallower on half of the front side. This indicates that the rotor was askew on the lathe. I will bet $$ they did the same with ours.

I took them back to O’Reilly’s and of course they denied it. Then when laid a straight edge across the rotor and showed them where they F’ed up the guy was like, “well this is why we should not cut rotors”. All I wanted was my $15 back for the cutting fee as I know they don’t replace the rotor as it’s an as-is service. The guy told me I needed to come back when the manager was there blah blah blah…

My advise would be to confirm they now have some runout. Then go over to Napa and buy yourself to new Ultra Premium rotors and be done with it. Oh and good luck getting your $$ back, I never did get my $15 dollars back.

 

[norcal2]

Your first problem was taking the rotors to O'Reilly’s to have them turned. They don’t know what they are doing…Sorry folks at O’Reilly’s! Unfortunately a good machine shop is hard to find these days.

They did the same thing to me. Before I brought my rotors to O’Reilly’s I checked them for runout. They were perfect. They only had 35k on them and needed a light surfacing as I was upgrading the pads to EBC green stuff. Anyway, I took the rotors over to O’Reilly’s and had them turned. When I called to see if they were ready the guy starts telling me I had a lot of runout on the left rotor but he was able to make several passes and get it cleaned up. Funny, I was thinking they were fine when I dropped them off.

When I got them home and mounted up, I rechecked for runout and the left side had about a 1/8 inch wobble. WTF. When I removed the rotor you could easily see that the rotor was cut deeper on half of the back side and shallower on half of the front side. This indicates that the rotor was askew on the lathe. I will bet $$ they did the same with ours.

I took them back to O’Reilly’s and of course they denied it. Then when laid a straight edge across the rotor and showed them where they F’ed up the guy was like, “well this is why we should not cut rotors”. All I wanted was my $15 back for the cutting fee as I know they don’t replace the rotor as it’s an as-is service. The guy told me I needed to come back when the manager was there blah blah blah…

My advise would be to confirm they now have some runout. Then go over to Napa and buy yourself to new Ultra Premium rotors and be done with it. Oh and good luck getting your $$ back, I never did get my $15 dollars back.

Once a rotor is warped...no turning is going to fix them perm...I just replaced mine with some EBC slotted ones, I went through rotors on my 97 4runner, solids..they all warped over time, no matter what brand i replaced them with...Brembo, or Ultra premiums.. when i switched to drilled and and or slotted...no more warping...they dissipate heat much better...just my 2c

 

[Ducman]

Turning

I'm personally not a fan of 'turning' rotors as they can be replaced for just a little more money and will be much smoother and last much longer.

I'm a huge fan of Napa Ultra Premium Rotors. A front pair will run you about $140 depending on the store.

A pair of Brembos from tirerack are about the same, maybe slightly more and I believe those would be a good choice as well.

I would stay away from any other type of auto parts store rotor.

The Ultra Premiums REALLY LAST. After over 2 years and 2 Wisconsin winters mine still look nearly new with zero scoring. They also really resist corrosion well too, infact they still look almost new. Best of all.... still zero pedal modulation even when hitting the brakes at 70mph.

FYI I'm running a set of Toyota pads that I purchased and installed at the same time as the rotors.