Hi Scotty,
I have a 2003 toyta tacoma prerunner 2.7 with 300k miles.
I have had multiple front end brake jobs within the past few months and with every one of them, the rotors end up warping.
Rotors have been replaced multiple times.
Brake pads have been replaced multiple times.
Brake calipers have just been replaced.
The passenger side wheel hub has just been replaced.
Upper control arms have been replaced within last 30 days.
Lower control arms have been replaced within the last 30 days.
Upper ball joints have been replaced within the last 60 days.
Lower ball joints have been replaced within last 30 days.
Rack & pinion gearbox replaced within last 30 days.
Rear brake drums have been replaced twice within last 30 days.
Rear brake shoes have been replaced twice within last 30 days.
Master cylinder has been replaced within last 30 days.
Sway bar links have been replaced within last 30 days.
Front end alignment done withing last 30 days.
Tire rotate and balance within last 30 days.
No issues felt in brake pedal.
I do not do any hard braking. I do not abuse my brakes at all.
The 'only' association I personally have noticed between the brakes being perfect and the rotors warping is when I drive over 80 mph for any length of time, even for seconds only. Immediately following the higher speeds, the rotors are suddenly warped, and I have the typical pulsing while braking. There is a noticeable vibration, drone, or whatever you might call it at speeds over 80 mph in the front end which is also somewhat felt in the steering wheel and not the brake pedal.
Thank you for your help Scotty!
Jack up the truck and make sure brakes aren't dragging.
Check your bearings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbsUTESwOMY
Agreed with @imperator, sounds like your brakes are possibly dragging. I don't see how they could still be dragging after all the work that was done though, very odd.Do you feel any pull to one side, indicating one is dragging more than the other? Have you felt your rims after a fairly long drive, and see first off how hot they are, and is one side noticeably hotter than the other?
Also, what brake pads are you using, and who did the work? I used to use ones from O'Reillys with my 98 4Runner, and would warp rotors like crazy. If you are not using them, Akebono pads may help a lot.
What are you replacing all the other parts like sway bar end links, and rear drum brakes for, is that just do to some needed work? What brands of equipment are you using?
When did the brakes first start warping?
Sorry for all the questions, but this issue is one I am familiar with, and it really annoyed me when I had my 4Runner. The issue pretty well went away when I upgraded the brakes to Tundra Brakes, but your issue sounds a bit different.
Thanks for input and questions...
No dragging from one side to the other.
No hot rims or lugs. Everything is normal temp.
I'm not sure what brand pads and rotors the shop is using but I just asked them if they ought to use OEM instead of aftermarket.
The truck has 300k miles and all this suspension and steering work has been necessary because of worn parts. I'm not sure what brand the shop is installing.
The brake shuddering issue started about four months ago after I got a front-end brake job and keeps returning after each subsequent brake job.
This whole shuddering issue seems to begin 'only' after I pass 80 mph for only a few seconds while I hear a slight hum, or vibration, or drone, or whatever you want to call it from the front-end, then let it coast back down to around 70 before lightly applying brakes. That is the mystery... why only after going over the 80 mph or so mark seems to begin the downward spiral for the brakes and shuddering begins.
I have read that OEM parts are sometimes necessary and that is the way I am currently leaning. I'm hoping they install OEM pads n rotors this time.
Thanks!