Turning Rotors on 06 T4R

[novat4r]

I just bought a CPO 06 Sport a couple of months ago with 25K on it.

I've noticed that during medium to hard braking the truck gets a little jerky and the braking is rough. To me it feels like the rotors need to be turned. Does it sound right to have to do that after only 25K miles/3 years?

Thanks for any help!

 

[JeremyH]

A rotor can warp at any time...not dependant on mileage. If it is warped, it cannot be turned.

This is a stupid question, but are you sure it isnt the ABS you are feeling?

 

[novat4r]

Thanks Jeremy. No, it's not the ABS...There isn't that grabbing feel of the ABS activating, just some general un-smoothness when braking. I'm beginning to wonder, though, if there was some bump on the pad or some build-up on rotor because I just got back from a 400 mile trip, and the brakes are much smoother than before. After the original owner turned it in at the end of the lease, it might not have been driven much.

 

[JeremyH]

Yeah, some buildup in the pads/rotor system could have been causing the issue. If you experience the issue at a later date, you might want to pull the pads and rotor and check them out.

 

[PAULUNM]

If it were me I'd replace the rotors rather than have them turned....

 

[ToyTech99]

A rotor can warp at any time...not dependant on mileage. If it is warped, it cannot be turned.

That's not correct. A warped rotor can be turned and made true again. That's the primary reason that people turn rotors in the first place. Only if the rotor is SEVERELY warped would I agree that it cannot be turned.

The easiest way to check for the amount that a rotor is warped is to use a dial indicator. Attach it, zero it out, and rotate the rotor 360 degrees. check both sides and measure in at least two different planes. If you see around 0.005" of runout (which seems to be fairly typical), you can easily machine the rotors without any issues. Our 4Runner rotors are thick and heavy, more like the old school rotors that we always used to see, not like the thin and lightweight "throwaway" rotors used in most cars today.

 

[mosha20]

This may not be your issue but the 4runner has an automatic braking when you hit the brakes hard. Basically it is for safety, but if you really hit the brakes quick or hard and don't take your foot completely off the brake, it will continue to apply the brakes hard, which will cause a jerky feeling (I hate this feature personally, but I suppose it serves a purpose). That may be your problem but I doubt it, just something to know I guess.

If any of my info is wrong please correct me, I am no expert on these things. Thanks.

 

[JeremyH]

That's not correct. A warped rotor can be turned and made true again. That's the primary reason that people turn rotors in the first place. Only if the rotor is SEVERELY warped would I agree that it cannot be turned.

Ahh....well, I guess our definition of "warped" must be different. Usually, if it is warped badly, the guy doing the machining will refuse to turn the rotor.

I've only had one rotor warp on me. All other rotors I've had turned simply because the pads wore grooves in the rotor.