Drum Brake failure

Will def try this today, didn't think about doing this test. I do feel a pulsation in the brake pedal from the brake booster, almost everytime I push the brake. They told me this was normal due to the specific brake system they use.

 

They're BS'ing you. The ONLY time that a pulsing brake pedal is "normal" is when ABS is engaged. Any other time, the brakes need to be repaired.

 

really ? this is false and you have serious brake controller issues if this is happening every time and you are not in an actual skid

NO normal brakes pulse, they are wicked smooth.

[assuming lugs nuts installed correctly and not over-torqued which can bend things when done gorilla-tight]

at worse you'll hear a 'squish sound' on TRD tacomas but braking is 100% smooth, always, in normal conditions

pulses only felt when these systems are active,

active means one or more wheels is currently slipping

-normal abs activity
-atrac active
-crawl control active
-auto LSD active
-hard braking in rain, ice, grease, or any other slip condition
-serous out-of-control and VSC is taking over

normal driving should be smooth as silk like any other car on the road


go poke around like a new car buyer and drive a few tacomas and then compare
to what yours does. then notice if yours is different

 

Mine is fine with over 4k miles. Used crawl control to climb up a soft hill on the beach for about 2 minutes straight. I think the explanation of the icy cold weather freezing your linkage is the best theory!

 

Noticed a pulsing in the brake pedal on my '16 DCSB Sport the day I took it home... Went back to dealer the following week and they found one of the rear drums to be warped - threw it on a lathe and all was well. No issues since (5K+ miles).

 

It sounds like you have serious brake control issues. You mentioned nothing about a pulsing brake pedal in the first post. A pulse in the brake pedal would have been my first sentence. That's a major issue.

 

Didn't put it in my first post as was told it was normal for the truck, but the more and more I thought about it wasn't adding up.

 

I wouldn't believe anything a Toyota Service Department Employee ever tells me. I would only believe it from a Toyota Tech who does special assignments

 

So they put new shoes on and re-honed the drums. Did exactly as you said the passenger side is as cold as the outside temp and the driver side is mildly warm. Called the dealer and they told me this is probably because new shoes itll fix itself...

 

Dude, go to another dealer.

 

your dealer sucks-o
one of your brakes is dragging or otherwise ain't working right

 

Thats what I figure. Thanks for the help all. Trying to find a decent dealer, but the two I've been to so far suck. Anyone have a decent recommendation for one in Northern VA?

 

The problem with drums are that if the drum is cut perfectly it can still pulsate due to axle inperfections. If we were on the 3rd set of drums I'd be dialing the axle shaft cold and warm.

Haven't seen this issue on any truck with straight axles, usually the first set of drums fix the issue.

The older 3rd 4runners had this issue due to axles way back when.

 

Call Toyota Customer Service and explain to them that the dealers you have been to do not want to perform Factory Warranty Work.... They'll get on it real quick

 

x1000.

I had a vehicle where the right front brake locked up and ran me off the road. Had to change all brake components up front to fix it.

 

good call here

 

So far I’ve just been a lurker looking to pull the trigger on an 2016 OR. I test drove a few OR models at a dealer yesterday and noticed this brake pulsing in both of them. When I depressed the brake and put the truck in Drive from Park, the brake pedal pulsated very briefly as if the ABS was activating. Did that a few times and every time it happened. Drove both around and noticed when coming to a stop, the brake pedal did the same thing on both Not all the time, but maybe 50% of the time I was braking on the test drives. Was really the only issue I found, which stumped the salesman. I’m guessing that’s not normal or expected on a brand new OR just from the factory?

 

I have owned a few cars and several toyotas most recent brand new 2013 turd, and no car/truck ever had anything but perfect smooth brakes

the 2013 tacoma trd brake pedal makes a squish noise, and the brakes are SUPER grabby (not grabby more like super boosted)
when wet like after a car wash,
but no pulses or any odd stuff.


if this is new for 2016 is has to be a defect

 

First time I actually got to test-drive the 2016. Brakes certainly had the squish noise from the hydraulic-boost system and I could tell they were powerful. That thing would stop on a dime if I slammed on the pedal. But the transient pulsating didn't feel right. I thought it was a fluke on the first one, so we got in another one and same thing. The salesman said it was probably normal since both had it. I walked away and said I'd think about it more, as I didn't want to buy something only to have to take it to the dealer first thing and start the "normal" run-around with service if I'm already getting it from sales before I even buy the truck. I may stop at some other dealerships and take some for a spin.

 

The OR uses the 4runner /FJ cruiser brake system which is very touchy and uses a lot more pressure that doesn't vary with engine load.

I personally prefer the hydraulic boost over the vacuum boost, but it sucks with bad tires on ice, and some people prefer softer brakes on pickups.