"warped rotors", or my brake woes

[robhurlburt]

Not sure what the deal is with this vehicle ('07 SR5, 4x4, 4.0l). we have had the vehicle since 55k mi on it, it now has 103k. within that time I have replaced the front brakes pads/rotors/calipers at least twice, maybe three times. Once or twice with advance auto "gold" and once with all OEM pads/rotors. My wife was getting off the highway this past weekend and she says the steering wheel shimmied like crazy. I again pulled the rotors (around 10-15k mi old OEM rotors) and took them to the machinist to get turned. He says they are so "warped" he can't turn them and leave enough material on them to stay within spec.

I guess now I have to replace all rotors/pads/calipers again? Besides the pistons sticking on the calipers, what else could cause this? FYI wheels are put on with a torque wrench every time so I know that's not the problem

 

[fullboogie]

Given that rotors don't just magically warp, you might want to start looking for sticking calipers.

 

[Jeremy556]

Other than stuck calipers, usually poor driving habits and poor quality pads/rotors.

Hard braking to a stop, then holding the vehicle in place with brakes, i.e. highway off ramp to a traffic light. The brake pads heat up while stopping, then when held in place against the rotor, pad material is transferred to the rotor at that spot, creating "warped" rotors.

 

[Handgunner480]

Calipers for these vehicles are total shit. Well known fact, not debateable. Get something like A1 Cardone with weatherproof paint coating. They look good, cost only about $65 a piece from RockAuto and have a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. Plus people on here tend to favor them for durability. They say get the NAPA calipers. These are the NAPA calipers without the price tag or the NAPA box. With rotors you definitely want to stay away from OEM or OEM style rotors. You can get high carbon rotors by centric for the same price. Alternatively you can get some 4x4 Survival Series rotors by DBA for about $120 a piece (well worth it.) With pads, get you some Hawk LTS pads. This combo gives you hella stopping power, initial bite, durability, looks sexy and a warranty on the calipers.

 

[340W]

Calipers for these vehicles are total shit. Well known fact, not debateable. Get something like A1 Cardone with weatherproof paint coating. They look good, cost only about $65 a piece from RockAuto and have a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. Plus people on here tend to favor them for durability.

Do you have these? I agree the braking system on the truck leaves a good bit to be desired.

 

[Handgunner480]

Yes, I have the DBA T3 4000 4x4 Survival Rotors with Hawk LTS pads. I got them all on AutoAnything for 20% off. It is an amazing setup once they get bedded in properly. The initial bite is very aggressive compared to stock. I'm. going to put some stainless steel lines on next time I have to do any brake work.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Other than stuck calipers, usually poor driving habits and poor quality pads/rotors.

Hard braking to a stop, then holding the vehicle in place with brakes, i.e. highway off ramp to a traffic light. The brake pads heat up while stopping, then when held in place against the rotor, pad material is transferred to the rotor at that spot, creating "warped" rotors.

Yes.
Many people automatically jump to the "warped" conclusion. I recommend that O.P. researched "deposits" more before believing the mechs.

 

[robhurlburt]

Yes.
Many people automatically jump to the "warped" conclusion. I recommend that O.P. researched "deposits" more before believing the mechs.

I'm well aware what "warped" rotors actually are. Why else would I put warped in quotation marks.... maybe you are the one jumping to conclusions.

that's one of the reasons why I am so confused that the rotors are actually warped to the point where they can't turn them, it is 99% of the time just deposits on the rotor.

 

[Handgunner480]

Hell yea