2003 Tacoma Shudders while breaking--breaks replaced twice

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?

 

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.



https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-upgrade-stoptech-rotors-trd-performance-pads.523829/

 

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.

 

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.

 

I had a 2003 that did this, new shoes and drums in the back fixed it.

Are you sure it's in the front?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Do you feel it in the brake pedal? Check for leaky rear axle seals. Gear oil on brake shoes can cause this issue.

 

Glamisman, described just how I isolated the vibration on my 2003. Try this and let us know what you find.