Why do Rotors keep getting warped

i plan on checking that, too....hopefully its not too hard to determine that.

 

Does anyone have these u-bolts installed so i can see what they look like (without the helper springs)?

 

Taken from that other link you posted.... post #212
I had mine spaced a little further out than these....

 

should the u-bolts be further out from the axle...? maybe at the ends of the lower leaf? like in this post http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/108316-goodbye-axle-wrap-mod.html

he used helper springs but his setup lifts the lower leaf so that its flat against the upper leafs...hope i'm making sense.

 

Did you get the package?

 

not yet...tracking info says its in Jacksonville, FL....i'm near Tampa. Should get here with tomorrow's mid-morning mail. then i'll get those puppies installed asap. hopefully that will stop the guy behind me from bumping into me at every stop light lol

 

So, I joined this forum to help solve this same problem on my 2002 tacoma xtra cab. I have been chasing this problem since I put 31 X 10.50 X 15 tires on after the OEM tires wore out. I have tried several things: new dimpled and slotted rotors, counteract balancing beads inside the tires, new u-joints, new heavy duty brake pads. The problem went away after new u-joints and new rotors/pads for a few months, but returns again. The thought that I had too much rotating mass with the 15 inch rims and the bigger tires (massive sidewalls) and that the factory rotors were getting too much heat buildup due to having to work harder to stop more mass is my current theory. I though of a faulty master cylendar or metering block has crossed my mind as well. I am about to have to buy new tires so I wanted to research the idea of getting lighter aluminum wheels with 17 inch rims and see what everyone thought about lightening the rotating mass to prevent warped rotors. I routinely tighten lug nuts to 90 ft/lbs. The pulsing effect seems to be worse at about 45-30mph when braking down and is worse when I step on the pedal harder, if I step on it more gradually then the pulsing effect is not as bad. Thoughts????

The "bump" effect in the original post could be from u-joint wear IMHO.

 

So I just found the axle wrap thread. Sounds like I'll be trying the $30 U-bolt fix in the near future. More History on my truck might help: I have what I call "helper springs" over the rear shocks, basically they are coil over springs that I have mounted to the shocks with exhaust clamps. I preload these "helper springs" by placing a floor jack under the trailer/safety chain frame attachment, thus lifting the frame up higher over the suspension and allowing me to elongate the shocks a bit before bolting the springs in place. I lessened the preload a bit last year and the vibration I have that shakes my fillings loose on the highway seems to be better but not gone. I use these "helper springs" so the back end doesn't squat when I put 500lbs in the bed. My truck was part of the frame recall and it got a new frame and rear springs in October of 2012, could the rear springs be shot in as little as 3-6 months? I do a fair amount of "mild" off roading, but no rock hopping. I had the rear brake pads and drums turned at the same time along with all new U-joints and dimpled and slotted front rotors and pads. Tires are probably a little over inflated as they seem to cup as they wear. In January 2013 I got a new short block, apparently I threw a rod when passing a semi. 230,000 miles and looking to get about another 100K on it. Looking to get 17 inch alloy rims with new tires in the fall to replace the 15inch steel OEM wheels so suggestions are welcome.

What exactly is the Bielstien 5100 suspension mod and where can I get details on it.

Thanks, I'll be getting some pics of the "helper springs" and the truck up in the next few days.

 

Sorry dirty truck: pics enclosed of existing front and rear shocks / suspension.

 

taco47001...package received in mid-morning mail. don't know how to thank you. gonna install them this evening and take pics...then do a few laps around the neighborhood to test....although it may take more long-term driving to measure true results.

just to confirm.... i'll be installing them toward the ENDS of the lower-most leaf...correct? so that the lower leaf is flat against the one above it...correct?

 

OK...installed the clamps....

heres the pros and cons:

PROS...
axlewrap completely GONE! Huge thanks to taco47001 for the clamps!
been driving it or 3 days now and no 'bump' at all after braking/stopping/releasing the brakes.

also, maybe its just me, but it seems like it takes off a little faster when i step on the gas. as if the clamps added a little more torque or something.

CONS:
this is a big one....rear suspension is stiff as hell! rides a lot 'harder'. bumps used to be softer. and now they are much harder and the rear end bounces a lot more. almost annoying. I suppose it'll take some getting used to.


i have a question...would it matter if they were installed with the u-bolt facing downward (with the washers/nuts under the leafs)?

 

It won't matter.

Glad to hear your wrap is gone though. Glad they worked out for ya.

 

Im thinking maybe if i slide them in a little..... Toward the middle more.... Maybe i can get some of that soft ride back. Right now i have them just about at the ends of the lower leaf. What do you think?

 

You'll always have a little run out, thats why machine shops check before turning ..

I dont really think its a secret about 1st gen front brakes having a few issues, but yeah rotors gotta be flush with equal torque..

I don't know what you mean by OEM . But if you mean rotors, you can have them, i had skipping pretty bad while braking on the stock ones, put a set of PowerSlots with new ceramics 2 years ago & they almost look brand new

 

UPDATE:

ok i've moved the clamps more toward the middle of the leafs...about 2 fist widths from the end of the lower leaf. Still no axle wrap (which was my original goal)..and the rear suspension seems to be 'softer' with more cushion. It was just terrible before and I couldn't take it any longer. We'll see how this goes for a while.