Vibration from brakes

[4runningyota]

I just recently installed new brake rotors and break pads on the front of my 01. Ever since i have put them on there the brakes feel like they are grabbing when i apply them, the whole vehickle kinda lurches forward while braking (not violently, but definatly noticable). At high speed (over 55 mph) when i brake the whole vehicle shakes and vibrates. A mechanic told me that it is probably just the oil on the rotors from when they shipped them grabbing on the pads, he advised me to get the rotors nice and hot (but not over heat) to burn off the oil, well i did that and it didn't help much. Any suggestions?

 

[ebelen1]

The lurching could be your front brakes doing all the work. Have you checked your rears?

The vibration is probably warped rotors. Did you overtighten your lugs after the install? This can cause warpage.

 

[4runningyota]

I used a torque wrench when i tightened down the lugs at 85 ft. lbs. so the rotors shouldn't be warped. I havn't had the rear brakes checked or adjusted yet.

 

[greasefingers]

You should clean them before installing as they come oiled. I shoot brake cleaner (one of my favorite solvents other than acetone) on them before installing. But it is usually not a big deal as the oil will burn off and smoke if you do not, and usually without any consequences.

Are you by any chance using ceramic pads?

 

[4runningyota]

I have a ceramic mix brake pad and i bought the "top of the line" rotors from NAPA.

 

[greasefingers]

I do not have your model year runner, so I cannot directly comment. But if the runner has floating calipers then the glide or slide pins should be lubricated with high temp grease.

I noticed that napa wants $ 77/rotor for mine and Toyota wants $ 150 a pop.

 

[greasefingers]

All brake pads have ceramic material in them. Once asbestos was banned they started to use a higher content of ceramic in pads (along with a replacement material for asbestos) and only then did they get the name "ceramic". This was mostly to reduce the dust of the new materials. You can still buy low content ceramics pads (still called semi-metallic) I like these the best, but they are dirty and do not last as long.

 

[4runningyota]

I have heard from several different sources not to buy rotors from toyota, that they do not last very long and are prone to warping relatively easily. Thats why I went to NAPA. Like i said, as soon as i got the tires back on my vehicle after installing the new brakes and drove it around the block i noticed the "grabing" feel when i applied the brakes. I think the vibration i get at high speeds is just the "grabing" feeling amplified by high speeds. Should i scrap these rotors and buy some higher quality ones?

 

[ohio4runner4x4]

I had a similar problem with mine and found out that my rear axle seals were leaking which got the rear pads/drums "wet" with gear oil and they were not doing their fair share of the stopping!
Replaced the seals and rear pads and she stops waaaaay better now and no more vibrations!