1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

2003 Tacoma Shudders while breaking--breaks replaced twice

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by rshawjones, May 15, 2019.

  1. May 15, 2019 at 2:54 PM
    #1
    rshawjones

    rshawjones [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2019
    Member:
    #293383
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rowan
    Vehicle:
    2003 Tacoma TRD
    Hi All,
    I drive an '03 tacoma TRD with 100,000 miles on it. This past fall I started to experience the truck shuddering when breaking on steep inclines and at high speeds. I brought the truck to my mechanic and he ended up replacing the brakes front and back (new drums, rotors, pads, etc.)--the problem persists. I brought it back under warranty and he replaced the rotors again thinking that they might have been warped when he first put them on. Still didn't fix the problem. I have read that over torquing the lugs can cause rotors to warp, but I would think that, as a pro, he would be using a torque wrench...Another thing to mention is that the shuddering doesn't happen at low speeds unless it was just driven at highway speeds. For example, I take the truck around town at low speeds and no shuddering. But if i take it on the highway and use my breaks the shuddering happens, then if get off the and am driving at low speeds the shuddering happens then as well. Any thoughts?
     
  2. May 15, 2019 at 3:01 PM
    #2
    rmepilot

    rmepilot Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2013
    Member:
    #106798
    Messages:
    11,006
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Huntsville, AL
    Vehicle:
    '23 LR DCSB TRD OR 4x4 Premium Pkg
    2019 Jeep GC Summit 5.7l '15 DCLB S/C 4x4 Limited Pyrite Mica - Deceased
    Improper bleeding or front suspension bushings is where I would start my troubleshooting process.

    I had the same issue with my ‘15 and this was resolved with StopTech Cryogenic Rotors and TRD pads.

    :spending:

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-upgrade-stoptech-rotors-trd-performance-pads.523829/
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2019
  3. May 15, 2019 at 3:07 PM
    #3
    Blue92

    Blue92 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2017
    Member:
    #228071
    Messages:
    16,485
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2018 Sport
    Mine does it too during a hard stop coming off the freeway. New rotors and pads (Brembo+Akebono, not the cheap stuff) upfront as well, installed by yours truly along with a fluid flush about 10k ago. Rear drums have been adjusted and cleaned by the dealer a month ago. Despite all that, no change in the shudder during hard stops so I chalk it up as there being nothing I can do about it. It doesnt bother me that much as its pretty minimal compared to the shaking that Ive experienced while riding in friends cars with warped rotors, my steering wheel doesnt even shake.
     
  4. May 15, 2019 at 5:17 PM
    #4
    wee man

    wee man Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2018
    Member:
    #256786
    Messages:
    49
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kenny
    Denver, CO (kinda)
    Vehicle:
    1997 Tacoma SX reg cab
    OME 3” lift ARB front bumper Warn M8000 winch ARB onboard compressor 33” BFG Mud Terrains
    Same here. I've got an intermittent shake that's only apparent on braking, but it doesn't shake the wheel, and since it isn't constant I'm guessing its not a warped rotor. It almost feels like a caliper is sticking sometimes as the front of the truck feels like its wiggling side to side from about 10mph to full stop when it does it.
    If I roll the window down I can hear the rubber making noise that sounds like a tire is out of balance (tapping noise that increases/decreases with tire rpm), but like I said the wheel doesn't shake at all when I'm driving. Truck still drives straight and its not pulling the truck to one side or the other on braking. Visual inspection of the undercarriage doesn't turn anything up that looks alarming either. Super puzzling issue but it doesn't seem to be hurting anything. Looking forward to hearing others experience with solving anything similar.
     
  5. May 15, 2019 at 5:28 PM
    #5
    west467

    west467 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2009
    Member:
    #12340
    Messages:
    94
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Two Black Tacos..03 and 09
    I had a 2003 that did this, new shoes and drums in the back fixed it.

    Are you sure it's in the front?
     
  6. May 15, 2019 at 5:48 PM
    #6
    wee man

    wee man Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2018
    Member:
    #256786
    Messages:
    49
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kenny
    Denver, CO (kinda)
    Vehicle:
    1997 Tacoma SX reg cab
    OME 3” lift ARB front bumper Warn M8000 winch ARB onboard compressor 33” BFG Mud Terrains
    The drums might be causing the problem, I had a couple instances of the right rear sticking on me this winter after letting the truck sit with the e-brake on for a day or two. Not sure why the tires would be making the noise they are though, as that sounds like its coming from one of the fronts. I'll have to check the drums out the next time I rotate tires.
     
    cruiserguy likes this.
  7. May 16, 2019 at 7:30 AM
    #7
    Glamisman

    Glamisman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2016
    Member:
    #200436
    Messages:
    5,001
    Gender:
    Male
    you can isolate if the vibration is coming from the front or rear by pulling the parking brake handle... keep the handle twisted as to not lock up the rears if the shoes grab.
     
  8. May 16, 2019 at 7:40 AM
    #8
    NMBruce

    NMBruce Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2012
    Member:
    #78162
    Messages:
    628
    Gender:
    Male
    SW Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2020 Quicksand TRD OR, sold = 2006 GX470 (past 85, 2-1987 pickups,90, 92, 96 pickup, 2000 xtracab, 2002 double cab)
    Ironman Foamcell 3" lift, ARB dual compressor, GoPro mount, BadElf mount, Drive grab handle, RCI skids, Victory sliders, half rack, TuffStuff Alpha ll RTT, Dometic 75 Fridge, extra USB & Outlets
    OP. When you replaced the rotors & pads was it with OEM or aftermarket? Did you replace the calipers and fluid?

    I ask because the GX470 has a similar problem and people who replace with stock parts keep having the problem, I did new calipers, flushed the fluid with high temp and aftermarket slotted/drilled rotors and performance pads and 20k miles later, zero problems
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2019
  9. May 16, 2019 at 5:00 PM
    #9
    jeg0005

    jeg0005 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2019
    Member:
    #280139
    Messages:
    708
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jon
    BHM, AL
    Vehicle:
    2001 Tacoma SR5 double cab
    Full OME 883s, SPC UCAs, 33" STT Pros
    CBCBB22F-0A9B-4405-AAE5-5ED020D09AE0.jpg Do you feel it in the brake pedal? Check for leaky rear axle seals. Gear oil on brake shoes can cause this issue.
     
    rshawjones[OP] likes this.
  10. May 26, 2019 at 4:49 AM
    #10
    west467

    west467 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2009
    Member:
    #12340
    Messages:
    94
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Two Black Tacos..03 and 09
    Glamisman, described just how I isolated the vibration on my 2003. Try this and let us know what you find.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top