Another brake debacle

So I've read some threads about brakes on the 1st gens and still am a little puzzled. I have an 03 4x4. Just over 50k on the clock. I'm on my second set of factory rotors and again have this mad vibration under braking. I know the rotors are warped. I'm not hard on the brakes either. I'm actually very conscious of it - modulation, etc. So what gives? I thought the factory rotors were supposed to be pretty decent. Do I need ceramic pads? Aftermarket rotors? Don't think I need slotted, drilled rotors. Thoughts, advice? And thanks.

 

What are your wheels torqued to? Over-torqueing the wheels (too tight) can warp rotors. I torque mine to 100ft lbs which is actually higher than recommended via Toyota - but I haven't had any issues in all the vehicles I've owned.

How are your wheel bearings? Bad wheel bearings can also cause warped rotors.

How long since the last time you replaced them and they warped again? What kind of mileage are you getting before they're warping?

 

Good questions - I don't know what my wheels/lugs are torqued to - factory work. Wheel bearings - dunno? How do I ckeck them? Dunno the mileage before warping again, but not much. Thanks for your response.

 

Also, if your rears arent adjusted up, the fronts will overheat because they are doing all the work. Check your rears.

Flash

 

Good point - Thanks for the advice.

 

i've never had good luck with oe rotors and pads. ...maybe it's because i drive in atlanta traffic. ..maybe it's because i have larger than stock tires. ..at any rate, i had to go aftermarket to keep the shakes away.

 

I've never had tacoma bearings go bad...but for every other vehicle I've ever worked with.....(hard to explain) Jackup the front end and grab the wheel by hand. Basically, try to shake and move the wheel in every direction (in & out, back & front, up & down, etc). It shouldn't have any movement aside from the normal rotational movement. You could have some movement (in&out) in the wheel from the steering rack.

When the rotors are warped, what's the condition of the pads? Are the pads badly worn? How often do you change pads? Do you press on the brakes hard (short stops)?