steering wheel shake brake problem

Hey guys, so about a year ago, My steeting wheel was shaking pretty significantly at freeway speeds during braking. I replaced the rotors and pads and it was fine until now. The shakes are back with a vengeance!! I dont drive in a lot of traffic and I would say I drive conservatively. No off roading or any wheel upgrades. What could be causing this?? I hate this problem! Makes both my arms shake with the wheel when I brake!

 

I used brembo blank rotors and hawk LTS pads when I replaced. Also, Im not sure if the rear brakes can cause this problem but, like I said before, the problem went away for a bit when I changed the parts.

 

Sounds like time for new rotors and pads. Rears won't cause your steering wheel to shake. How many miles on calipers? May need rebuilding.

 

But I just replaced both.. the truck has 96k miles on it.

 

What year taco? Have you had the front wheels off? I've been told if front wheels are not torqued per spec it can warp rotors.

 

2006. I always use a torque wrench to tighten the wheels.

 

Sometimes you just get a bad set, or could be braking habits. I found it's just best to stay with OEM when it comes to brakes. Check to see if Brembo will warranty them.

 

You didn't mention having a pull, but there's a few things that will warp the rotor:

1) Machining them will remove material making them heat quicker. Obviously not the issue as they were new.
2) A caliper dragging. When you replaced the pads, did the calipers retract easily? Did you clean and lube the sliding points?
3) Overtightening the lug nuts. Did you torque them with a wrench and not the air gun?
4) Cheap steel on the new rotors. Shouldn't be an issue with Brembo's.

My guess is a caliper is starting to drag. Easy way to check is to carefully feel the wheels after you get out of the truck to see if one side is noticeably hotter.

 

So, if it's the caliper? What needs to be done? Will a shop rebuild it? Do I need new ones?

 

A good shop can rebuild it. I wouldn't trust some Wal-mart style shop. Rebuild is pretty simple, disassemble, clean hone bores polish pistons, new seals. If you go new I would stay with OEM. I have had problem with none OEM on Toyota's.
To check if you have bad caliper, jack truck and spin wheel. Apply brakes and spin wheel again, to see if releasing properly. Also while you are driving and apply brakes truck will usually pull to one side or other.

 

Thanks! No noticeable pull to either side. But its hard to say when the steerimg wheel is shaking my arms off.