Do I have a brake issue?

*SOLVED*

Hi All,

I have 2015 DCLB TRD Sport, less than a 1000 miles. When braking hard I get pulsation in brake pedal. This is mostly felt when braking at high speed The road is dry and ABS indicator is not coming on. The steering wheel does not shake, so it doesn't feel like warped rotors. Is it dealer time or am I just not used to the feel of the new truck?

Thanks in advance!

---- SOLUTION ---

Short version:

It was the U-bolts. Took SEVERAL COMPLETE turns of each nut to tighten them to 75lbs/ft. I later bumped it to 90 ft/lbs. Drove 800 miles since then just to make sure it's finally fixed.

Long version:

Dealers told me that it's normal, then cut the rotors, then replaced rotors, pads, rear drums, shoes. Had tires re-balanced, was told wheels were out of round by local shop, dealer refused to investigate, told me to take a hike. Had new tires and wheels installed (was going to do that anyway), nothing.

Out of desperation re-read all the old threads, decided to give the u-bolts a shot. 5 minutes with a torque wrench - vibration is gone and overall ride is improved significantly!

 

What is the purpose of braking hard at high speed on dry pavement?

 

You have not driven in New Jersey traffic much, have you

 

Have you ever taken a safe driving course? You probably are overheating and warping the rotors.

 

I have, but the people in front of me that cause me to brake suddenly apparently haven't. Either way, I wasn't looking for driving skills appraisal, but thanks anyway.

 

You're welcome.

 

Thanks, but not exactly sure what you mean - do you think what I described is normal ABS operation or that ABS is not involved here?

 

Sorry haven't used either But it's almost like a mild warped rotor feeling, without the steering wheel shake. It starts when the brake is applied suddenly and goes away once the truck starts slowing down. I feel it in the pedal and maybe in the seat?

 

Hey I hear you about New Jersey, people are pretty horrible at driving in this state.

You should still be under warranty? ?
I'd have the dealer look at it.

 

Yeah, scheduled it for Friday. Something is off with brakes, either improperly bedded pads or rotors bad right off the lot? Never had this happen on a brand new vehicle...

 

I had a similar problem with my 03 Tacoma. I had a pulsing when I applied the brakes in the seat of my pants. The front rotors were fine. Found out my rear drums were warped.

 

I test drove a brand new Tacoma before ordering mine that pulsed when braking because "warped" rotors (warped rotors are almost never truly warped. It's just build up from getting too hot). You will feel the pulsing with gentle braking too, not just hard brakes.

 

So if it is rotors or rear drums, should I even bother having dealer change it? I'm concerned that it happened after only 700 miles. Will I have to go back to them again in a month or is better to just get a better aftermarket set and install them myself? Hate to screw myself out of warranty, but it's easier for me to spend $200 and a couple of hours than have my truck at the dealer several times.

 

That depends on whether there's actually a factory defect or whether you're tailgating the crap out of people and hitting your brakes so much they are overheating.

Take it to the dealer. Let them drive it and test it. They'll tell you if you're experiencing a brake problem or a driving problem. They'll just do it in a politically correct fashion.

 

It's called "not running into the moron in front of you that just jammed on his brakes for no reason at all"......or something to that effect.

That phenomenon is NOT limited to New Jersey BTW.

 

OP its new truck I woul let them handle warranty on this, you never know if there is bigger issue. If you replace rotors and drums than they will nto have initial problem captured. So let dealer fix it and than drive and brake hard to see if problem comes back. If it does let them fix permanently.
It could be slightly warped rotor or drum
Or it could be spindle with too big backlash
Or it could be rotor nto properly installed
Or it could be that one of the lug nuts are not torqued correctly.
If you have torque wrench check lug nuts for proper torque thats the most common reason why rotors or drums warp.

 

Thanks all. Appointment is made, we'll see what happens. As far as driving - I have 70 mile round trip commute that sometimes is all bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic. Here, if you see someone using a blinker, it is customary to step on the gas to prevent them from changing lanes. So basically, in heavy traffic you have someone jumping in inches from your bumper every few minutes. Heavy braking is a way of life here.

 

Insist (ask politely) to make sure after tech is finished he uses torque wrench to tighten lug nuts. This is #1 reason for rotors warping and they can warp littery in less than 50 miles from the time of installing.
My wife's truck got rotors warped every time I have not re tighten lug nuts after dealer work on them.

 

Thank you, last question - the shudder seems to be coming primarily from the back - is it possible for drum brakes to warp? My experience is limited to disc brakes.

 

Its unlikely but possible... It does not happen very often and its usally due to bad drum itself.