My first Corvette...I mean, Tacoma. It's new BUT...

After so many, many years of coveting, deliberating and agonizing, I went out...on a whim...and bought my first Tacoma - a brand new 2010 TRD Sport 4x4. With its sporty look and agile handling, I like to refer to this vehicle as the "Corvette of trucks". But...

I have noticed that the brakes pulsate when engaged and feel exactly like a car with warped/worn rotors. What the hell? This is a 2010 model, which means it has been sitting on the lot for some time now, perhaps developing rust on the rotors? I don't know, just hypothesizing here. So I am taking it to the dealer on Thursday. If it is the rotors and the dealer wants to turn them, should I raise hell and insist on new parts or will the loss of metal (or whatever material they are made from) be negligible? I'm crazy about my baby and, like most of you, I want the best for her.

Of course, I am speculating as to what the actual issue might be. Have any of you experienced or heard of anything similar to this?

 

I would def demand new parts. Welcome to TW.

*edit* When a brake pedal pulsates, it's more than likely your rotors are warped. Has it been raining heavily where you are? Have you driven though high water?

The dealer will most likely ask you these questions.

 

Depends on what you mean by "pulsate." It sounds like ABS to me.

 

Don't worry too much about it. The Dealer will most likely a have an 'on the vehicle' rotor lathe and can turn down any high spots on the rotors while they are on the truck. These systems were developed for vehicles like Land Cruisers and Honda Accords that have the rotors integrated into the bearing hub. It's actually very trick, and leaves a buttery-smooth result as it takes into account all vibrations and harmonics from the suspension and running gear.

While 'warped rotors' is a common term to use on a pulsating brake pedal,more often its a pad material 'hot spot' on a rotor that can cause that, or even a defective or out-of-balance tire.

 

This was the first thing i thought, can you feel it in the steering wheel when breaking?

 

Mine has done this since I got it 3 years ago. It's not a violet pulsing like the rotors are warped or a tire is out of balance, more of an annoying pulsating letting you know the brakes are junk... Just wearing them down waiting for the opportunity to replace them. The stock brakes suck in my opinion.

 

Congrats on the new truck, I have a 2010 Sport and my brakes didn't do that. They do feel a little soft at first but I don't notice now. I love my truck. I waited years before I bought mine as well.

 

Some info on "warped brake rotors":

http://stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_warped_brakedisk.shtml

I agree with those above who mentioned pad deposits or tire issues as your cause.

 

x2

I really hate how mushy my brakes are...they feel like they fade so quickly. going from 65 to 0, i have the pedal almost all the way to the floor. (im comming off a main road on to a small road to a subdivsion)

 

Brakes are not the best for sure. I had to grab 2nd gear on the highway the other day because some jackass cut me off. I always grab a low gear in a panic stop, I know it's not the best for the tranny but it's the quickest way to stop in an emergency.

 

I got the Tacoma pulse too ! I thought I was special. Now I'm disappointed to find almost everybody has it.

 

There was a rash of guys with bad drums on the rear brakes back in '09. I know a guy I work with had that issue on his brand new truck, took it back and they replaced the drums. I think I recall reading a few posts on this as well.

 

dont hammer on brakes unless you have to

 

When the ABS is activated you'll get a grinding type sound in cab. If you get a vibration through the steering wheel when braking, it's most likely warped front rotors and/or possibly warped rear drums aswell. I've seen both scenarios.
Flash rust on the rotors will sound like a brake wear indicator (high pitch squeek)

 

Thats my only gripe as well....are the brakes.

 

I guess I got the good brakes because my brakes feel great! Have never had a problem with them and don't feel mushy at all.

 

That's good to know. I only have about 35Kmiles on my truck and I was wondering why the brakes were squeaking. But it's been really rainy here lately.

 

The brakes are not making any noise and I can tell you all that I drove several Tacomas before I bought this one and none of them had brakes that felt this way. The tires are well-balanced so that is not the problem; it is definitely the brakes. Now, the spongy, soft brake thing...I don't have that problem. After reading so many threads on here it is starting to sound like Tacomas are highly individualistic (much like vintage guitars) with some having responsive brakes and bad highway wind noise while others on the same lot are just the opposite.

Again, if it is the rotors and the dealer wants to turn them, should I protest and ask for new parts or will the wear be negligible?

Thanks.

 

I would have them replace the rotors. All turning a rotor does is make the rotor thinner so it'll happen that much faster the next time. We're talkin a few hundreads of an inch but it does make a difference. If they bitch about replacing them, a call to toyota usa should get the correct fix for the truck. It's kinda rediculous that a 2010 needs rotors already. Most techs would agree