09 trd wheel shake when braking? 2200mls

Hi, before I went to the dealership I want to ask:

I have an 09 TRD Sp ext cab and when i'm on the highway (speeds over 60mph), if i tap the brakes swiftly, for a second or so the wheel shakes side to side, then it stops.

Is this an alignment issue or brakes? I only have 2200 mls...

 

Your rotors are warped.

 

I have something like that too, not sure if i noticed it before i put a lift on my truck but its a slight shake, and my truck only has 4800 miles.

 

This could also be a slight tire balance issue, although usually you would feel it without touching the brakes. Some of the OEM tires also have a reputation for having some vibration until they warm up. However, I don't think the TRD trucks have those tires.

 

I am betting on the rotors as well.

 

should i wait until the 5k oil change? i don't want to be responsible for defective rotors...

 

Take it in and have them check it...... can't hurt!!
You're under bumper to bumper warrantee. Make them fix it!

 

I wouldn't wait. Why not tell them there is a vibration in the front-end at highway speeds when you touch the brakes. They should have a gauge to check that the rotors are true and they can check the balance of the tires. If they don't find anything wrong, insist on a road test. Since the problem only occurs at highway speeds, make sure you tell them to take it on the highway to demonstrate the problem. Good luck.

 

Just got back from a dealership (i'm 150 mls away from the dealer i bought the truck at).

A tech drove the car and said he didn't notice anything so the service manager drove it and said nothing was wrong. The service advisor told me there is a lot less "rubber" in a truck vs a car hence the vibration/shake. I said it just started happening 100 mls ago. I asked to go for a ride with a tech and they said bring it back when it's more pronounced.

I got in the truck to leave and it was doing it at 40 mph now.

This, and the takeoff shudder and 20 mph vibration. Anyone know of any good service depts in Long Island NY?

 

I have had problems getting mechanics to fix vibration problems in the past. You really need to feel the car (or truck) to get a sense of vibrations and you need to spend a little time with the vehicle, because vibrations usually aren't 100% of the time thing.

I can tell you that my truck has ZERO vibration when I touch the brakes. It only has 1000 miles on it. My truck is non-TRD so it has the crappy Dunlop A20 tires (cheapest truck tire on the market).

There is a useful test for finding wheel vibrations that maybe you can find someone who is willing to do. The test is to get a jar of water attached to the cars bumper (or somewhere in the front). Then, spin the wheels up with an old fashion balance machine (some shops still have them). With the wheel spinning, the water will vibrate when there is a vibration problem. Then in your case, tape the brakes (lightly, because you aren't powering the wheels) and see if there is a vibration.

The rotors can also be checked for out-round with a simple out-of-round gauge (heck, even I own one of those).

If you really are at wits end, you could try picking up some rotors and pads at Autozone (or local auto-parts store) and try to see if that fixes it. At that point, complain to the dealer that you fixed the vibration with new pads and rotors and you want the old ones inspected and you want them replaced by the dealer. You can hang on to the other ones for the future. I know it sucks, but the rotors and pads will probably only cost about $130 total and might be less than the hassle of going back and forth with the stealership.

 

I don't remember you mentioning the take-off shudder. That is one of two things; the torque converter or motor mounts (at least from my experience). Some torque converters do this a little without being defective and they sometimes get better with age. My previous GMC truck had a bit of that, although it was more under load, and it got better as the truck got older (or maybe I just got used to it, sometimes it is hard to tell).

Good luck (and bummer).

 

Where do you live in Mass and why are you going to N.Y. for service?

 

I live out near Worcester MA but am going to college in Long Island.

Re: Take off shudder, it is pretty well documented with the Tacoma and is the two piece driveshaft (there are vids of it online, exact same problem as me). It's not too bad. The 20-30 mph vibration is also pretty common and feels like youre driving over an unfinished road. Again I know it's a truck and most people don't notice so this doesn't bother me as much as the car shaking when tapping the brakes at 60 mph.

Thanks for the advice.

 

I made a video of it-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyFscmsrhVQ

 

I have the same problem. I was thinking getting the rotors with the wholes on them.. You think that will work best??

 

That is F-ed up. There is definitely something wrong. Insist on a ride along.

 

Find another dealer near where you are, it doesn't matter where you bought it.
At the very least you would be getting a second opinion.
Some dealerships actually care about customer satisfaction.

 

i have the same thing on my 09.. its even worse now that i have my new wheels an tires

 

That helps dissipate heat and could help with various brake problems under heavy braking applications. I don't think it would change this issue, other than the fact that the rotors could be the problem and changing to any other rotor might fix it.