2002 Tundra Brake Rotor Problems

[Rice Burner]

Hello Everyone,
Long time since I posted on this great site!
Will any of you Tundra owners chime in and respond to my post if you have had pulsating brake pedals due to out of round brake rotors on your older model Tundras.
I have had a pulsating brake pedal since I bought my truck new in 2002. My truck currently has 29K miles on it and I have had the rotors and pads replaced yesterday,(7/7/08) by my local dealer along with a Pa.State Insepction and Emissions inspection. The bill was almost $500.00,(OUCH!).
I called Toyota Customer Sevice to complain about the rotor problem and they assigned a case # and said they would contact the dealer customer service representative to contact me.
I beleive there were several front brake issues with these trucks and all my front brake problems with my truck were documented on my dealer work order/invoices when the truck was taken in for inspection.
I would REALLY APPRECIATE if anyone had a rotor problem with thier Tundral to respond to this post.
I would like to show the dealer and Toyota, that I am not the only owner who had such problems.

Thanks Greatly In Advance,
Rice Burner

[MEvang]

I appreciate your attempt to get support for your problem but the fact is, it's mute. Most of us early Tundra owners have had this issue one time or another, do a search you find tons of complaints.
If you have been having problems like this since you got the truck Toyota should have already given you the upgrade calipers, if they haven't and with the low miles you have, I think you may have a case to push for the upgrade at no cost.
The problem here, and everyone should know this is once you have gone in to the dealer and OK ed the repair and you agree to pay for it, you could find yourself stuck.
If you don't agree you should bear the bourdon then that is the time to stand your ground and try to get it resolved. .
I know sometimes you feel they got you by the nads, but don't let that stop you from picking the vehical up till you get it resolved.
I hope I haven't come off sounding too harsh, I just want you to know your behind the times a little here and the dealer is not going to be sympathetic and many here are not either.
Now the big question has the brake upgrade been done to your truck?
Mike

[Portugue]

I've got an 02 and never did the caliper upgrade. I just swapped out the rotors for a better quality and it made a big difference. I've had them on for about 3 years and they are just now slightly pulsating. Not sure if thats good or not, I thought it was great considering the factory rotors lasted about 2 months!

[Rice Burner]

Originally Posted by MEvang

I appreciate your attempt to get support for your problem but the fact is, it's mute. Most of us early Tundra owners have had this issue one time or another, do a search you find tons of complaints.
If you have been having problems like this since you got the truck Toyota should have already given you the upgrade calipers, if they haven't and with the low miles you have, I think you may have a case to push for the upgrade at no cost.
The problem here, and everyone should know this is once you have gone in to the dealer and OK ed the repair and you agree to pay for it, you could find yourself stuck.
If you don't agree you should bear the bourdon then that is the time to stand your ground and try to get it resolved. .
I know sometimes you feel they got you by the nads, but don't let that stop you from picking the vehical up till you get it resolved.
I hope I haven't come off sounding too harsh, I just want you to know your behind the times a little here and the dealer is not going to be sympathetic and many here are not either.
Now the big question has the brake upgrade been done to your truck?
Mike

Hi Mike,
I assume the brake upgrade your are refuring to is the larger calipers. Correct?
I was told by my dealer assistant service manager when the brake pulsation started that my truck had the new calipers installed directly from the factory and my truck did not qualify for the caliper upgrade TSB. Is there another TSB for warped brake calipers?
He also said by using the emergency brake often and backing up in daily use that this would self adjust my rear brakes and put less wear on my front pads and rotors.
I am not looking for sympathy from the dealer or the other Tundra owners that post on this Website, but rather information concerning poor design and poor quality materials used in the manufacturing process by Toyota Motor Corp. when these Tundras were produced. Another words, Toyota Motor Corp. made a BO BO, and won't admit to their mistakes so the consumer,(me and other Tundra Owners), have to pay for their mistakes. This is definitely not right and my efforts are concentrated on making it right.
As far as not picking up the truck until the problem is resolved, it is not the dealer that produced an inferrior product,(calipers, rotors,etc.), but Toyota Motor Corp.. The dealer is at fault in my mind by not bringing this to my attention earlier when the truck was under warranty.
If I want to, I can simply refuse to pay my Discover Credit Card Bill when it arrives for the brake service until this issue is resolved. I am not sure if I will do this but it is another option.

Thanks,
Rice Burner

[MEvang]

I do understand your point. Just needed to know were you were coming from.
I am a bit leery about you having the upgraded calipers as the dealer told you. My understanding is they didn't start showing up from the factory till sometime in 2003.
Please take a look at the PDF file here: How To: Early Tundra Brake Upgrade
You should be able to identify the calipers yourself. If you are to get anywhere with Toyota you will need to verify you have the old calipers. If you do and the dealer has been telling you wrong. You have got some good ammo to go at them with.
If you have had the upgrade calipers all along I don't think you will get far with them.
As far as using you parking brake goes, I can tell you it helps, but you still could need a manual adjustment al lest once a year. Most of us do it twice a year.
Mike

[BAD BONEZ BJ]

Rice Burner, I think you should read the TSB and look at the calipers, and determine if they have been upgraded, just as has been suggested. Know all the details, it'll help.

I do a complete inspection on my rear brakes once a year, just before my state inspection is due in June. Inspect condition of shoes, clean, lube, and adjust. Clean and lube Parking Brake Bellcrank. The rest of the year I use the parking brake/backup trick about once a month, and daily use of the parking brake. Keeps 'em adjusted just fine and coupled with the TRD-BBK up front, I can stop on a dime.
BJ

[Rice Burner]

Originally Posted by MEvang

I do understand your point. Just needed to know were you were coming from.
I am a bit leery about you having the upgraded calipers as the dealer told you. My understanding is they didn't start showing up from the factory till sometime in 2003.
Please take a look at the PDF file here: How To: Early Tundra Brake Upgrade
You should be able to identify the calipers yourself. If you are to get anywhere with Toyota you will need to verify you have the old calipers. If you do and the dealer has been telling you wrong. You have got some good ammo to go at them with.
If you have had the upgrade calipers all along I don't think you will get far with them.
As far as using you parking brake goes, I can tell you it helps, but you still could need a manual adjustment al lest once a year. Most of us do it twice a year.
Mike

Hi Mike,
Your right on the money when it comes to your advice about the TSB/Upgrade on the front calipers. The assistant service mgr. at my dealership gave me a pile of bull sh-t!
After I got your response to my e-mail with the link on the TSB and looked at the pictures on the TSB showing the idenification on the calipers, I went out and checked mine and they are definitely the old style. They have the hook in the casting as shown in the TSB pictures.
I am furious to say the least. I immeidiately called the customer service rep. at the dealers and she listened to my complaint and than asked me what I expected her to do. Typical,"GO SCREW",response. After I saw where this was going I told her I would withhold payment on my credit card when the bill comes in and this seemed to,"Raise An Eyebrow", or two.
She told me to give her until Monday,7/14/08, and she would get a hold of the Toyota Parts Rep., call Toyota Motor Corp., and talk to the managers of the dealership.
Thanks for all the helpful info. and advice, especially, the link to the TSB.
Keep your figers crossed, I hope I get some type of positive response. If not, I will postpone payment on my Discover Card,(I already called them I they noted the dispute already and made note of it in my file).
Thanks Again,
Rice Burner

[MEvang]

I would hope, since they have strung you alone all this time they will do the upgrade for you at no charge.
Good luck and let us know what happens.
Mike