[beerhiker]

newby here...question about my 99 taco 4wd 4cyl 5spd.
The truck came with 28" or 29" tires, I switched to 30" BFG A/Ts and have a front end shake at 40mph and above, feels like exactly like wheel out of balance. In the last year I have had tires balanced both regular and rim centric with no change, alignment check (in spec), tires rotated to diffrent locations, no changes. Dont think its a bent rim, havent hit anything. Could it be worn out struts/shocks from the extra weight of new tires causing this?
any ideas?

 

[ewood]

Maybe rack is out of wack. Take a look at the bushings in the rack and see what you think. Just another possibility. Good luck.

 

[ewood]

Steering rack that is. Question, did this happen as soon as the new tires were put on or something that developed over time?

 

[beerhiker]

as soon as new tires on. Nothing seems loose, ive checked under there best I could

 

[mojavehanna]

Had almost the same exact problem on my 4runner. Its your front brake rotors. Replace both sides and install new pads and your problem will most likely disappear. Rotors are notorious for warping on tacomas from excess heat, over torqueing lug nuts, or just plain wear and tear. It is an easy and relatively cheap repair.

 

[ewood]

Rotors shouldn't warp from a tire install. My belief is that the problem lies elsewhere, disclaimer: maybe.

 

[Puckett]

Rotors shouldn't warp from a tire install. My belief is that the problem lies elsewhere, disclaimer: maybe.

The only times my rotors have ever warped is from changing/replacing tires. Anytime anyone but me has torqued my lugnuts the rotors have warped from un-even or too much torque on the lugnuts.

From my experience this is the most likely culprit, that is of course taking into consideration that the tires are balanced and the wheels are true.

 

[surfishjoe]

How do rotors get warped, my truck shakes/shudders only while braking and only when above 50 mph. Do you think it is from warped rotors? Sorry to jump in on the thread

 

[rojodiablo]

If they are overtorqued, or unevenly tightened, you get uneven pull against the rotors. Then they heat up when driving, and since they are metal, they bend in the direction of the overtightened bolts. Result... wobblewobble. It's nice to see them manually tighten the lugs, and not air them in at 90psi. Plus, you don't need to hire a gorilla to undo the UKUtight bolts you get left with!

 

[beerhiker]

all new rotors or can they be machined back to original?
It does not shutter or shake when brakingm still sound like rotors??

 

[Puckett]

all new rotors or can they be machined back to original?
It does not shutter or shake when brakingm still sound like rotors??

Beerhiker:
I have had the rotors turned at a shop - it took a couple hours and it cost as much as new rotors.

I have bought new rotors for my vehicles everytime they have warped. For nearly the same price, and less time I think it's worth it. I never did the fancy drilled or slotted except for my old thunderbird, and I was told it is impossible for most shops to turn slotted rotors, but I never had to replace my drilled rotors either.

rojodiablo:
Do what?

Surfishjoe:
Rotors can be warped by one or more of the following things:
Excessive heat - like trying to stop 35" mud tires all the time or racing

overtorqued lugnuts - even if they are evenely torqued

unevenly torqued lugnuts - if nuts are more than 5-10 foot pounds difference the rotor will expand and contract in differently when in use.

Drenching hot rotors in cold water - washing or water crossings. If you hear the water steaming off the rotor, chances are they are going to be warped from then on

Too little material left - if the rotor is excessively thin, it will not handle the heat of average use as well and warp faster than before they were machined.


Brake rotors WILL get hot, expand and contract. If any one or more of the above variables are present the rotors will probly be warped after some time.

I always replace my rotors in this event since it's not that expensive and they are thick.

 

[beerhiker]

yeah, looks like I can new disks for around $60 apiece. not to bad if it works.

 

[cooper4x4]

newby here...question about my 99 taco 4wd 4cyl 5spd.
The truck came with 28" or 29" tires, I switched to 30" BFG A/Ts and have a front end shake at 40mph and above, feels like exactly like wheel out of balance. In the last year I have had tires balanced both regular and rim centric with no change, alignment check (in spec), tires rotated to diffrent locations, no changes. Dont think its a bent rim, havent hit anything. Could it be worn out struts/shocks from the extra weight of new tires causing this?
any ideas?

What it sounds like is that you got a bad tire.

 

[beerhiker]

I have tested for that by rotating tires to diffrent spots on truck, no change. These came off my Jeep and front end of TJs get wobble with the slightest off balance, they ran smooth as silk on the Jeep. I have to rule that out.

 

[nastynate]

I have tested for that by rotating tires to diffrent spots on truck, no change. These came off my Jeep and front end of TJs get wobble with the slightest off balance, they ran smooth as silk on the Jeep. I have to rule that out.

i echo the rotor response...
take it to a brake shop that does free check-up before they try to get you to buy anything. they'll at least be able to tell you if they're warped, if you can turn them, etc.

could also be a caliper problem.. but most likely it's the rotors. they just wear out over time. if you upgraded to a larger tire, it could cause more heat, theoretically. shouldn't be enough to cause warping.

are you heavy on the brake pedal?

 

[surfishjoe]

Thanks for the info, very informative.

 

[appa]

If you don't use a tourqe wrench to tighten up the lug nuts you will warp the rotars.

 

[Bnorm]

If you don't use a tourqe wrench to tighten up the lug nuts you will warp the rotars.

Anyone know the torque specs for the wheel lugnuts?

 

[Windtech007]

tourqe spec 83 ft lbs

 

[Bnorm]

tourqe spec 83 ft lbs

Thanks.