HELP! Stutter/Jerk when stopping.

*Posting in different threads in hopes to get answers soon.*

I recently bought a 2003 Tacoma with 200,000 miles. I was told by the dealer (Not a Toyota dealer) that it had nothing wrong with it other than a few cosmetic issues.

However, I have noticed recently that right before coming to a full stop, there is a slight stutter/jerking feeling.

Not sure if that is just the way it is with Tacomas, or if something is going out. Could it be something in the transmission, a transfer case, the brakes, anything? Please help! I have no idea what it is, or how serious it could be.

Thanks!!

 

Would you describe it as sort of a pulsating feeling? As you slow down, it feels like the brakes grab-release-grab-release slightly? If so, it could be warped rotors (actually a misnomer, it's deposits of the pad material on the rotors).

That's the first place I would look - my '04 was notorious for that. With all the armor, gear, winch, etc. I got my brakes hot often and would find streaks of pad material on the rotors.

The fixes are:

1. Replace rotors.
2. Turn (resurface) rotors (limits to this, but may be doable if they have
not been turned before.
3. Take some fine grit (1200+) sandpaper and smooth down the areas
where pad material has scorched to the rotor.

And then install some better brake pads.