1996 4-runner horrible grinding brakes.

[causeybrent]

Hey,

I noticed a slight squeaking in my brakes when i pressed them in, so i took it to the shop and they told me I needed new pads. They replaced the pads, and a week or so later I noticed a horrible grinding type noise when i slow down. It's not all the time, and it seems like it's alot worse in wet or humid conditions. I took it back and they replaced my Roter? I believe it was called. After they replaced that, it worked for a week. It started doing it again, I took it to another shop and they can't find anything wrong with it. The noise/vibration i feel is hard to explain. It feels like the pads are rubbing, and when i slow down to a complete stop you can just feel something rubbing on it. I drive really hard, The brakes especially. I tried to see if i had to slam them on alot, it added to it, but it seems to do it worst in wet/humid conditions. It's alot worse and noticeable at slow speeds. When I barely even tap them, I can feel it. I'm going to endup taking it to the Toyota Dealership if I can't figure anything out. I took it to a local goodyear place and they drove it for about 20 minutes and couldn't get it to mess up. I hope someone else has had this similair problem. Thanks for the help

Brent
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[Brian R.]

Don't know if this is informative, but when you get new brake pads installed, you should drive like an old lady for a couple of weeks to mate them to the rotors. No sudden stops unless you absolutely have to.

Did you use Toyota pads? I find them to be much quieter and smoother than aftermarket pads.

[causeybrent]

Hey,

the pads probably weren't toyota, since it was just done at a local small garage. and I sure as heck didn't go easy on the pads at first. Oops.

--brent

[19 Points]

4runners have REALLY thin rotors that seem to warp and cause pulsation.

[Brian R.]

Originally Posted by 19 Points

4runners have REALLY thin rotors that seem to warp and cause pulsation.

The 4Runners I have owned have never had that problem. With what comparison can you make that claim? What are the rotor thicknesses of other trucks of the same weight?

[Tomsriv]

Originally Posted by causeybrent

Hey,

the pads probably weren't toyota, since it was just done at a local small garage. and I sure as heck didn't go easy on the pads at first. Oops.

--brent

You probably ruined the pads. It takes about 30 long slow stops to break them in. In other words just drive easy for a few weeks. If you drive hard the glue in the new pads will turn to gas and contaminate the pads. Get some new pads that are of good quality. You don't need Toyota pads, just get some decent aftermarket ones. NAPA for example, usually offers three levels of pads and if you get the cheapest they will squeak like crazy. If you get the second level they are usually good pads.

[Brian R.]

Interesting discussion on brake pads:
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic20316.htm

Tomsriv - There is really no substitute for the assurance given by buying OEM pads. Once you can find a reliable recommendation (such as you gave) then it pays to experiment. It is much too painfull for someone to try aftermarket pads (without a reliable recommendation) and then be stuck with noisy pads for another 40 or 50k, all because the owner didn't have a clue where to start - brandwise.

[causeybrent]

Hey,

Thanks for the advice. Shouldn't the mechanics have noticed the pads being no good when i took it back the 2 or 3 times. Maybe because I told them I had just had the pads replaced, they didn't bother to look at them. The Mechanic who replaced them should have told me to go easy on them. the first thing i did when i got the vehicle back was slam them on to see if the vibrating had stopped.


Thanks tons

brent

[Brian R.]

Yes, your mechanic should have warned you to go easy on the brakes for a while.