Steering Wheel Shaking...

[watusippin?]

So I have been driving my 05 SR5 4Runner for a little over a week now and have a question about some shaking I am getting in the steering wheel. I mostly notice it when I am driving on the freeway and slightly press on my brakes. For the first couple seconds of the breaks being engaged I get a strange shaking in the steering wheel. Its nothing too violent and the truck doesn't feel like its losing control but its almost like I am driving on the lane dividers. I will also notice it at lower speeds if I press on the breaks while making a slight turn in any direction.

Is this a common characteristic of 4Runners? Is it something I should be concerned about? What could be causing it?

Edit: The truck has 62K miles on it if that makes any difference...

 

[jimlaw3]

Sounds like your front rotors are warped,since you say it only happens at high speeds when hitting the brakes.Check your front brakes,can turn your rotors and replace your pads ,not a big deal.This is what I would check first,how are your tires?

 

[watusippin?]

Sounds like your front rotors are warped,since you say it only happens at high speeds when hitting the brakes.Check your front brakes,can turn your rotors and replace your pads ,not a big deal.This is what I would check first,how are your tires?

What would cause the rotors to warp? What should the rotors look like?

The truck was suppose to have had a brake job done before I picked it up and the tires are brand new. How should I go about inspecting the rotors and pads?

 

[jimlaw3]

theres no way to tell if a rotor is warped by looking at it,you have to measure runout to be for sure(or you can just tell when stopping).Sometimes some techs will not turn the rotors correctly and will vibrate even after a new brake job.I have been a Honda certified tech for 15 years and see this all the time.Did you have your brakes done at a Toyota dealer?:hello:

 

[mike508]

Brake Disk Runout

According to the shop manual the maximum runout for the front should be less than 0.002 inch for the front and less than 0.0079 for the rear. This is from the 2007 shop manual but shouldn't be any different for yours.

 

[watusippin?]

So then its probably time for new rotors. How much will they set me back? Are their just the two in the front? Or is there another set in the back?

Is it something that I could tackle on my own? I have no mechanical skills as of now but I would like to try and do most things DIY with this truck.

 

[Uneek]

Partznet.com lists the smaller rotor (12.6") are $82.19. The larger rotor (13.3") for Sport Editions and some Limiteds are $112.07. These are the front rotors.

The rear rotors are $106.98 (one size for all 4th gens).

The front rotors are really easy to replace.

1. Remove the brake pads, by removing the clips on the two hold down pins. Remove the spring on the lower hold down pin. You should take a C-clamp and compress the calipers now to make reinstallation easier.
2. Unbolt the brake line bracket from the spindle arm.
3. Unbolt the two bolts that are holding the caliper to the spindle. Ensure you're not loosen the four bolts (two at further corners of the caliper) that holds the two caliper halves together.
4. The rotor may or may not be loose due to rust around the hub center. There are two bolt holes 180* degrees apart from each other near the wheel studs. (I need to double check the bolt size, but they are something like M8x1.25.) Put the two bolts in the holds and give it a turn or two, alternating between each. That will pop the rotor off if it's stuck.
5. Reassemble everything in reverse order. The caliper bolts are torque specs are 91ft-lb.

 

[mike508]

Rotors

So then its probably time for new rotors. How much will they set me back? Are their just the two in the front? Or is there another set in the back?

Is it something that I could tackle on my own? I have no mechanical skills as of now but I would like to try and do most things DIY with this truck.

You don't necessarily need new rotors. You need to go somewhere that can measure the runout with a dial indicator to see if it is within the specification. You probably don't want to tackle the job of replacing them if you are not familiar with the details and have a shop manual with the instructions.
There is a rotor on each wheel.

 

[jimlaw3]

If the rotors are still thick enough they can be turned,you may not need to buy rotors.Have a real mechanic measure the thickness of the front rotors to determine if they need replacing.Most likely the rear is ok,usually when the rear is warped you will not feel it in the steering wheel.Its in the front rotors,take it to the dealer they will have the proper tools to do the job right,good luck.