Phantom cure for pulsing brake pedal.

My pulsing brake pedal was bothering me for a long time, and I was just about to pull the trigger on some new rotors and pads and do the entire job myself, naturally assuming that was the issue.

But before I did, I took it to the dealer for a quick oil change before a recent trip to Flagstaff. In the moment, I asked them to also change the hydraulic fluid for my brakes and clutch so I wouldnt need to deal with the fluid.

I didnt even tell them the brakes were pulsing, as I was just going to do the work myself.

Lo and behold, I get the truck back and the brakes are perfect. I asked, and they did nothing to the brakes other than changing of the hydraulic fluid.

My question: What the heck could have been causing the brake pulsing? ABS?

 

There may have been air in the system or the fluid became slightly more compressible as it aged. Since the brakes are electrically boosted with computer controlled input, likely the computer was having trouble smoothly compensating for unexpected resistance to given input force. Just conjecture on my part though.

 

Sounds as plausible as anything else, and the dealer was clueless. I'd bet it has something to do with the Toyota Safety Sense crap. Its clear it wasn't an issue with the calipers, rotors, or pads. So it looks like there is another cause of a pulsing brake pedal in a Tacoma outside those brake parts themselves.

 

I believe the TSS is going to flash a warning and beep when it’s active. I doubt it’s that.
But, it is often blamed for things from the anti-techers around here, same ones that have smartphone burning parties, where they prance around in their underpants, with their flip phones, and yell obscenities' at the perishing smartphone.

 

How many miles on truck OP?

 

52000

 

That doesn't seem like much to start experiencing brake problems. I think the brake fluid replacement interval is 2-5 years, so I guess your most likely in that range though.