rotors warping

hdRensh

New member
I have an 01 'runner which had a slight brake pulse when I got it. I replaced the rotors: problem solved.... for about a month. Now the pulse is back. I can't detect any noticeable drag on the wheel. I've had NO panic stops. The second round of pulsing appeared after a 300 mile drive. Any suggestions? Thanks, Stev
 
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Rotor quality sucks these days. You have to get OEM, Napa Gold series, Brembo's or some other premium quality rotor marketed as the "premium Rotor" of the product line. AutoZone / PepBoys stuff just doesn't cut it thanks to ChiCom steel.
 
CJ3Flyr said:
Rotor quality sucks these days. You have to get OEM, Napa Gold series, Brembo's or some other premium quality rotor marketed as the "premium Rotor" of the product line. AutoZone / PepBoys stuff just doesn't cut it thanks to ChiCom steel.

C-rap..... Well that makes diagnosis easy....
Guilty as charged, yeronner, I DID buy those wobbly rotors at AUTOZONE. (FREE PLUG INTENDED)
Thanks, Chris!

Stev
 
I put some aftermarket pads on my '96 that I got from Kragen's and the rotors were ruined in about 1200 miles.
Apparently the pads were dragging slightly and overheated the rotors.

Put new stock rotors and Toyota pads on and haven't had a problem for thousands of miles now.
 
hdRensh said:
I have an 01 'runner which had a slight brake pulse when I got it. I replaced the rotors: problem solved.... for about a month. Now the pulse is back. I can't detect any noticeable drag on the wheel. I've had NO panic stops. The second round of pulsing appeared after a 300 mile drive. Any suggestions? Thanks, Stev

In addition to the issue of poor quality rotors, there are some other brake related issues that can cause the rotors to warp. If you replace the pads, and they don't float properly in the caliper frame which can cause them to drag on the rotor, that can cause the rotor to heat up and warp. Also, if you have a stuck/frozen piston in the caliper, same thing can happen. If you get the brakes real hot, then right away, hit them with cold water, like running through a puddle or spraying them at a car wash or with a hose, that can cause them to warp. I also think someone already mentioned not properly torquing the wheel lug nuts.
 
What pads are you running? I have seen aftermarket pads, mostly ceramic pads, ruin rotors in a short time. Some of the aftermarket pads are a lot harder than stock.....which will make the pads last a while, but will pretty much overheat, and warp the rotors pretty bad.
 
rotor update

I just replaced the rotors with NAPA premiums... OK for now. I called Autozone and to their credit they are gonna give me a REFUND!! But the manager there said "If you don't replace the 'hardware', (anti-rattle spring) at the same time, the pressure stays on the pads warping the rotors." Here's a rhetorical question; With a system designed to withstand hundreds or thousands of hard stops how can that make any sense? He also said "A-zone and Napa rotors are made in the same factory." Whatever..... hasn't he ever heard of "building to specs"?

Thanks to all who participated; wish you'da been here when I swapped 'em out.... bashed my pinky finger and had no one to whine to. There. Now I feel better.

Stev

PS..... OEM pads!!
 
Re: rotor update

hdRensh said:
I just replaced the rotors with NAPA premiums... OK for now. I called Autozone and to their credit they are gonna give me a REFUND!! But the manager there said "If you don't replace the 'hardware', (anti-rattle spring) at the same time, the pressure stays on the pads warping the rotors." Here's a rhetorical question; With a system designed to withstand hundreds or thousands of hard stops how can that make any sense? He also said "A-zone and Napa rotors are made in the same factory." Whatever..... hasn't he ever heard of "building to specs"?

Thanks to all who participated; wish you'da been here when I swapped 'em out.... bashed my pinky finger and had no one to whine to. There. Now I feel better.

Stev

PS..... OEM pads!!
Excellent! Did you take a look at the breaking in brakes link I posted? I really swear by that...
:cheers:
 
Yes, I did read the link.... haven't done it yet.... The rotors are supposedly "pre- tempered".... whatever that means.... I didn't even know you could temper cast (are they cast iron or cast steel? except by hard-surfacing it... (messy and uneven)
I may just let my "entertainment director" break 'em in.... That's the patented "whatever" break-in....

:) ..... OK.... beer time!

Thanks again,

Stev
 
Also want to make sure to clean the rotor surfaces with a lot of brake cleaner, and a clean rag before you install them. New rotors are coated with a rust proofing coating to prevent surface rusting while they sit on the shelves. If this is left on, it might cause some issues.....Just thought I'd throw that out there.

And that manager at AZ was just trying to sell you some brake harware. ;):
 
In highschool I warped my brake rotors quite a bit. Then in my Pre-Runner they got a little warped. even though I drove it must safer. So far, no problems with my 2008 4Runner Rotors.

In highschool it was caused by hard breaking and building up excessive heat, especially driving around on super hot days (105+).

In the Pre-Runner, I'm not sure what caused them to become slighted warped, but I'm sure it has to do with one of the causes stated above.
 
96dcmss said:


And that manager at AZ was just trying to sell you some brake harware. ;):

Yeah, That's his job; but at least he gave me my money back! Even though I told him I'd bought NAPA rotors cause I didn't want to have to replace HIS every few months. I thought about buying the 10 bucks worth of tin just to throw him a bone, but....... I didn't. :)

Y'all have a good one!

Stev
 

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