Brake Shudder at slow speed on T4R

Yes I know its a T4R not a taco but same basic front end so bear with me. I recently picked up a 2004 T4R 4x4 V6, at very slow speeds to full stop there is a slight shudder or pulsing of the brakes. I assume in the front, because those rotors were a little grooved. This weekend I replaced the front rotors, pads, right caliper (one side was seized) and put new shocks all around. Put the stock Offroad front suspension in from my 2015 Taco. Anyway, I go to burn in the new rotors and pads last night and after proper break in, the shudder is exactly the same!? It's not a huge deal but what the hell is going on? Oh I also took a drill/wire wheel to the hub mounting surface to get rid of the light surface rust that was there.

 

Check your bearings,

How did you bed in the brakes and what rotor/pad combo?

 

Bedded in normally, 35-5 mph a bunch of times, never stopping. Then drove on the highway to cool them down. Bosch rotors/Wagner ceramic pads.

I'll check bearings but wouldn't think that would be the issue?

 

Read my writeup in the brakes sticky section. There is a sequence of worn items which ultimately leads to brake shudder. Pistons are seized - rebuild the calipers or get some remanufactured ones.

 

Maybe I’m way off, tires may need balancing?

 

I'll check it out. The seized piston on the right caliber I thought may be the problem, but I replaced with a new one from NAPA and it didnt change the issue at all.

 

Check your brake lines also, rubber lines degrade over time and get soft spots, it usually manifests as a pull, but if both are starting to swell it could cause a shudder as the pressures cancel each other.

Check ball joints and tie rod ends also... simple shake down test and gentle prying.

I have heard of alignment cam bolts and bushings causing this also, it is usually a constant feeling though.

 

UPDATE: Wheel Bearings are shot. Now I get to change those out too.

 

I figured it was. There ain’t much there that will cause a warped rotor shudder feeling only.

While your in there look closely at all the bushings and mounts, replace anything that makes you say “ what is this?” Or “ I wonder...”

Sway bar bushings and links are a good idea....depending on you mile count and visual inspection.

Got to do the same thing in the girls 99. Bearings are good, but suspension is sacked, sway bar bushings are all cracked, links are not even links much anymore, brake lines should’ve been done a decade ago, and there is an oil leak which looks like the pan seal.....
Just need the money.

 

Yeah I planned to do the sway bar links while I was in there.

 

Don’t forget to look at the sway bar bushings to. They are inexpensive (for a Toyota) if you need them. Prolly gonna have to pull the mount covers to get a real good look.

 

Bushings looked ok, I had the sway bar off to get it out of the way when I did the suspension.

 

Cool. I was always amazed at how many people would dump thousands in suspension work and related, but neglect the sway bar.

 

My truck doesnt even have one anymore.....

 

I hear that’s a thing for wheelin and suspension travel...

My pre runner spends way more time on pavement than it should, dunno if I would like more body roll.

I’ve always tried to take out body roll, even on 4x4s. I know mine clips the tie rods ever so often, but that seems to be addressed with adjustable links.....NEXT project....

 

With the stiffer coils it's really not much different with or without sway bar.

 

Might try it, drive everything like I race it.....prolly not a good idea with a lift.....fun...prolly a poor choice though..

 

Well no reason to have more articulation on a prerunner anyway right?

 

Dunno, 200k and I could make it a trophy truck with huge articulation.....

 

Haha. What are you waiting for??