Front Brake Pad/Rotor Problems

Hey guys im running into an issue and want to see if any of you have run into this issue. 07 double cab sport 6 lug. I lifted the truck 7 years ago. Right after i did it. i upgraded the brakes on the front Centric OEM coated rotors and Hawk HPS pads. The reason why the upgrade is alot more rolling mass (wheel and tire package) i have noticed my brake performance going down alot lately. I inspected the rotors and found that the braking contacting patch is literally NOTHING, on both sides of the truck not sure why but it wore the rotors in an odd patch (closest to the hat of the rotor) and i called centric. They were on the truck for 7 years. no warranty, maybe 15k miles on them (truck is a spare and sits in the garage alot). So i bought a new set of the same rotors and scuffed the pads smooth again(as per hawk's reccomendation) Now i noticed no improvement again. I inspected the front rotors again. SAME WEAR PATTERN. they are wearing hard at the inner most part of the rotor at the hat. I sent pictures to Hawk to see if its a warranty part. (no response yet) Has anyone else ran into this before? Everything is lubed and slides well. Calipier pistons look good. But braking sucks right now. Here are some pictures for reference. Old rotors and new rotors doing the same wear (inner most part against the hat) Should i do a set of SS braided front brake lines?

 

How about go back too stock pads and rotors,and your problem will be solved,aftermarket does not improve anything.

 

Just like Steel bumpers,they look good,but the minute someone hits you the bumper is stronger than the flimsy Tacoma frames,so you end up with a bent frame and a totalled truck.

 

that's a strange wear pattern/area, i hope its not the pad/rotor setup that's doing it, if anything I would suspect the calipers not clamping due to age or wear also having more heavy tires to stop than OEM size wore them out, your trucks an 2007 so you got 11 years of good service out of them.

 

This.

 

Based on the krusty orange in the pic I would have to question really how evenly those pistons are pushing pads onto the rotors. The aftermarket items are low hanging fruit to bash on but doubting that is the real issue..............

 

what does the other side of the rotor look like?

Possible you have a bent knuckle or caliper is not running true

doubt wheel bearing since inside is wearing

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/attachments/rotor-jpg.2723930/

shows one pad at an angle from maybe a stuck piston?

 

I don't see how this can improve anything when i have added about 35lbs at each corner of rolling mass. The pads are made for towing. Better stopping performance

they seem to be clamping and move freely, but only seeing contact at inner most part of the front rotors, closest to the hat

both sides are wearing the same. Closest to the hat of both front rotors

 

https://www.knowyourparts.com/technical-resources/brakes-and-brake-components/brake-pad-wear-chart/

may help some

 

Both pads left and right are worn evenly and not tapered at all the pads worn the in divit that used to be on the old rotors hence a quick belt sander to get them back smooth again and back on the fresh rotors they went. And after 60 miles of driving they are wearing at the very same spot on the new rotors (closest to the hat)

 

When is an "upgrade" not an upgrade.

* see above.
When it causes problems.

Go back to OEM Equipment.

 

Is that an actual dished groove on the face of the rotor near the hat?

If so, then its possible the calipers aren't clamping evenly. Also, take the pads back out and look in the cavity. Is there a ridge or groove dug into the abutment surface of the caliper? Like where the metal edge of the pad butts up against the caliper? A groove could prevent the pad from applying evenly against the rotor and it could also keep it from relaxing and moving back away from the rotor when you let off the brake. Are the pads a tight fit? Do they slip in and out easily? Take a wire brush and clean that area really good.

On regular caliper setups where there is a caliper and a bracket, the bracket takes the brunt of force from the pad when you stop. I've seen grooves in the bracket prevent proper pad movement and cause problems like what you're seeing. Lots of jeeps had bracket problems

 

these brakes have been on the truck for almost 7 years. over the last few months is when i have noticed the drop in braking performance and this is what i found to be the problem. OEM will not do any better

yes that is a a dished grooved in the old rotor. After replacing with new rotors and refacing the original pads (to a new, smooth, surface) they are still having and wearing at the same area as the old rotors (closest to the hat of the rotor)

 

You may have to bite the bullet and get some cals..

There could be a "hard spot" in the pad maybe, digging that groove into the rotor

 

What he said..

Your calipers may be due for a rebuild or replacement.

 

I'm really not understanding peoples thought process when they say "use OEM". Why/how is this going to fix the OP's problem? I'd lean towards the pistons/calipers being the issue.

 

Hey guys I am having the same exact problem after about 15k miles on new ebc rotors and Hawk LTS pads
Groove on the inner edge of the rotors on both driver and passenger sides.
Really racking my brain here because it seems like failure of both calipers at the same times would be highly unlikely.
Has anyone bent caliper brackets after fitting upsized tires (~33")?
@Sgtfluffy16 did you find out what was causing your issues?

 

I'm really wondering if it has something to do with the brake pads themselves. Since you're having the exact same issues that I am

 

Quick question that may be related to this issue. The pads are the same with the exception of the wear indicator arm. Where does this arm go? Inside pad, bottom? Didn’t pay attention when removing. More to follow……