Tundra brakes help.....

[kmchby76]

Well I completed my Tundra brake install. I got a set of used rotors and had them turned at the local Kragen. I got a set of used calipers and rebuilt them with a rebuild kit from the dealer. I used ceramic pads. I got everything all together and installed. I bled the brake lines. Now the here is where the problem begins. I slowly drive around the block lightly using the brakes. The brake pedal pulses, the steering wheel goes left to right and the whole 4runner vibrates. Any ideas?

[YotaFun]

Get new rotors.
Sounds like the old ones were not turned properly...

Just my .02

[Cebby]

Check your lugnut tightness also. Uneven = pulsing.

[kmchby76]

Is there an easy way to check the rotors? I would assumed Kragen should've check for any issues.

[4runnerchevy]

Is there an easy way to check the rotors? I would assumed Kragen should've check for any issues.


WoW, you put your rotors in the hands of Kragens. My hats off to you brave soldier. If you have a really flat surface, you can put it on the flat side and look for light :shake:. Or you can just get some new ones as Avy said.

[kmchby76]

Can anyone tell me the proper way to bleed the ABS system? I think my problem may be that I used the old fashion 3 pumps and hold method with a partner. I just heard that was not the right way to bleed the brakes do to having ABS.

[Seanz0rz]

what year vehicle do you have? the later vehicles with vsc have a different bleed proceedure

[kmchby76]

I have 1996 Limited 4runner.

[Seanz0rz]

should have no problem bleeding the brakes then. i choose to use the pressure bleeder that was outlined in a thread somewhere on this board that i cant find right now.

did you tighten the bolts on the calipers to spec?

[kmchby76]

Well, I'm going to take them back to Kragen and have them recheck the rotors. I will update then.

[kmchby76]

The guys at Kragen say they don't see anything wrong with the rotors, so at this point I am planning on buying new rotors. If that solves the problem then I will be returning to Kragens about the pair they turned. The guy there tried to tell me he believes my calipers are bad, and of course my rotors can not be turned anymore than what they are at. I do believe this will be the last time Kragen does my rotors. I never had a problem before, but customer service on this issue sucks.

[YotaFun]

I personally am not a believer in turned rotors.
I have had bad experiences with them and usually end up getting new rotors all together.

Hopefully this solves your problems, I can't believe a bad caliper would pulse unless the problems mentioned above were present.

[kmchby76]

Good news all, problem solved with new set of rotors. Now the fun begins. I will be dealing with Kragen tomorrow about some money back. I'll let ya'll know how that goes.

[YotaFun]

Good to hear.
Hope everything goes well.
Stopping power should be BEA-Utiful now :D

[kmchby76]

I'm looking forward to having better braking quality/power.

[kmchby76]

The good news, I love my new braking power.
The bad news, looks like I'm in for a long battle with Kragen. The guy over there wasn't convinced that even after I put less than 1 mile on the turned rotors that the rotors were the problem. I tild the guy that as soon as I installed the brand new rotors I had no problems what so ever. Here is what he said. "All I can tell you is that the rotors were legal when we turned them and that the lathe cuts them even." Basically he blows me off as if they are not responsible. So tomorrow I start moving up the chain of command.

[kmchby76]

Well, after a talk with the District Manager for Kragens I did manage to recover my $30 for the turning of the rotors. Basically I ate the cost of the rotors I got from Rancho Toyota Trucks. But it's cool, at least I got some thing back.

[Seanz0rz]

wait... they fought you over 30 dollars??? wtf is wrong with them?!?!? glad you finally got your money back, i went ahead and bought new brembo blanks when i did my swap. those should last me for a very long time!