Feels like warped rotors BUT intermittent?

I'm thinking my rotors are warped because my steering will shakes when braking from highway speeds. My concern is

1) it's intermittent and 70% of my braking is shake free. Keep in mind this calculation only accounts for breaking at highway speed and I don't feel anything under 50 mph.

2) I thought warped rotors should cause a pulsating feedback from the brake pedal, I feel none.

3) the shakes are more prevalent on the days following a tow but the symptoms decrease significantly in short time.

I've never warped rotors before but I expected that once warped, its warped. I have a set of EBC rotors and pads on the way but if you guys think my problem is anything else let me know, thanks.

 

Check that your callipers aren't seized. I have the same issue but mine, according to a mechanics opinion of my description, is that the calliper is rubbing all the time and with the added friction the rotor warps temporary. Mine seem to have to heat up to a point then I get the Michael J. Fox's.

 

I experienced this as well on my 5-lug. I don't think its warped rotors.

See here:

http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/-warped-brake-disc-and-other-myths

 

Check your pads first, my buddy has an '03 Runner, took it to a shop about a year back for pads & regular service, about 3 months later, damn things had snapped right in half, causing some nasty shake and a slight rattle.

 

Any chance you're experiencing torque convertor lock up shudder ?

 

You are getting brake pad material deposited on the rotors when towing. That is what causes the shuttering. Read the link Taco Pete posted above. Good info there.

 

X2 - I changed my rotors and pads and still had the shakes - just recently change the caliper rotor and pads on the one side that was worn - problem solved.

 

^ good info there.
The other thing to consider is, if your rear brakes are shot or not properly adjusted. You may be getting close to %100 of your braking force to the fronts. Tacomas rotors don't have much material and heat up very fast. Causing uneven deposits. Little or no back brakes would make it even worse.
One panic brake takes me a week of smooth braking and trying to re bed my rotors to smooth them back out.

 

I have a similar problem. I feel mild shaking from all stops, but once on the freeway after a few braking periods (like going down a hill) I'll have extreme shaking.

guess I'll have a look at the calipers, thanks!

 

yep.. just put knew ones on mine

 

Brake deposits on the rotors.

 

I had the same shake. 90% of my driving is in stop and go LA traffic. If i was over 50MPH, braking would give a shudder so bad, if i took my hands of the wheel it would turn left to right about an half inch. As I came to a stop, the shake would become less noticeable. I changed pads and rotors and my issues is gone. I searched a for days for a definitive answer, but read a lot of what you are reading here. Seems like multiple issues may be a cause.

Pads and rotors solved my issue, but could be more to the puzzle.