ROTORS GONE BAD!

Hello guys,

I just bought 2016 3rd gen tacoma (25k miles) and having problems with rotors, steering wheel shakes like hell specially on highway driving when brakes applied. Went to the dealer but obviously they denied taking responsibility. Exact same thing happened with my 2014 2nd gen tacoma as well.
So, wanted to change rotors, what brand rotors should I go for? Any suggestions? And do I have to change the rear drums or drum pads as well? Have no knowledge about drums?

Thanks.

 

Stock rotors and drums easily go 75K with normal use. If you bought it used did you or have someone check the brakes?

 

OEM rotors aren't really that bad, but if you want to look elsewhere... StopTech makes decent rotors.

And the rear drum pads are called shoes. You don't necessarily need to change front and rear at the same time. Most of your stopping power comes from the front brakes so they take a heavier beating. Think of it as a 70/30 Front/Rear.

 

Before you throw the baby out with the bath water why not just get the rotors turned?

 

Thank you for the info.. I do haul heavy stuff in the truck so do I need to have heavy duty rotors? May be that's why my OEM rotors are bent.

 

Turned meaning? Machined?

 

i got it inspected but they only told it has decent brakes. City driving is fine, it's just highway driving makes the wheel shake.

 

Yes, also known as resurfacing

 

Yeah that's gonna make the rotors even more thinner, making then even more vulnerable to heat?

 

Not exactly true. You really don’t lose thickness (maybe a mm if that) and what you do lose isn’t noticeable in any way. If you’re seriously this worried about heat dissipation, get slotted stoptech rotors and be done with it. Case closed.

 

Sounds good. Thank bro.

 

As stated, turned is slang for resurfaced on a lathe, it removes a little material to smooth the rotors and remove minor warping. Under normal conditions you can do this several times and still be in the thickness specifications set by the manufacturer. If they are severely warped then replacement would probably be the best option.

 

How long have you had truck and how many miles since you bought it ?
The Dealer is responsible for safety items .

 

Also most run out on rotors is due to pad material embedding on the rotor surface, so you're not machining a warp out per-say. You're removing runout.

That said if its hot spots, machining doesn't fix this. I tend to go by my experience, and on Tacoma/Tundra I only use the on-car-lathe as it prevents future runout on the trucks.

I would suggest only OEM because I've seen every aftermarket rotor rust or fail early, you get what you pay for.

 

Brakes are wearable items, and runout is only an issue if you can prove manufacturing fault.

Brakes are hard to warranty and they tend to bend more for loyal customers who have a history of buying the truck and servicing it from the same shop.

 

Brakes are normal (wear and tear) items.
But if OP has had truck for short period of time, the dealer will fix the problem as it is a (safety item).
Ask me how I know !

 

Impact tools on your lugnuts have been known to warp rotors (possibly even drums) with tire rotations.

Just saying

 

get this.

 

You may have a hard time finding someone to turn your rotors....its a dying art.

These days people toss and replace

 

Thank goodness we have nearly maintenence free rear drum brakes on these trucks!