Oversize Wheels and Brake Issues - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

johnbigbootie · #1 (**permalink**) 04-17-2006, 12:42 PM

So I've been serching the forums but haven't found specific information regarding oversize wheels on a Sequoia (or any vehicle for that matter) and break rotor/caliper size. My Sequoia has 20's with 285/50/20 tires, and when I took it in for new brake pads the guy tells me that the oversize wheels are "harder" on brakes and I can expect more issues/problems with brakes unless I "upgrade" them. I am trying to understand the physics of this in my wee pea brain...the net radius of the wheel + tire is approx. the same as the stock 16 in wheel/tire setup, so I don't see any "intertia" (if that's the right word) issues that I could see with a significantly larger overall diameter.

Right now my issues are 1. continued brake "squeal" (which drives the wife nutz) and 2. a "pulsing" feel, leading me to believe the rotors may be warped? So if I move forward with replacing rotors, can I expect the issues to resurface sooner rather than later just because of the oversize wheels?

celica · #2 (**permalink**) 04-17-2006, 01:05 PM

the 2001 & 2002 has problems with warped rotors, there is a TSB on this. The main issue with larger tires & rims is due to rotating weight & needing more force to slow the weight down. So if your rims & tires are approx the same weight it shouldn't be an issue. if however your rims & tires are more then there is more stress & friction required. if your seqouia is stock height I don't think you can get much bigger in there to really worry about the wieght. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

czechm8 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-17-2006, 01:30 PM

Celica is correct. If you increase wheel mass, then you introduce braking problems. I also run 20's, but each wheel/tire combo is roughly the same weight as my stock wheel/tire so net effect is zero. It is possible to fit 22's on a stock Sequoia with a very low-profile tire that doesn't exceed about 31.5" diameter, but a 22 could potentially weight much more.

Bottome line........unless your 20's are heavier than your stock wheel, I don't think that is the source of your problem. Don't let the tech talk you into an upgraded brake system if you don't need it. Yes, more braking power is better, but it is very expensive to upgrade.

SurgeTypeR · #4 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 04:41 PM

When I got my 20"s put on I upgraded to Brembo slotted and drilled rotors, on the front, (since I have a Tundra w/ drums on the back) for fairly cheap ($160) and the breaking has changed dramatically for the better, maybe you should look into some rotors? I still use my stock calipers with carbon pads.