Need your wisdom on '00 Tundra brake drums

[perfconnpc]

Hi all, I need some advice on my rear drums on my '00 Tundra. A few weeks ago I started getting really bad pedal pulsation and a strange vibration when driving down the highway, searched the board threads exhaustively and it turned out to be a seized parking bellcrank that overheated the drum and created high-spots on the friction surface. So I decided to replace everything. Fixed the bellcranks, bought new Wagner organic shoes and house brand drums from a local parts store. They're "Parts Master" brand but the store says they're manufactured by Aimco. After I replaced everything my highway vibration is gone but my pedal pulsation is still there (I've always had some pulsation but never this bad). I confirmed it was the rears by using the parking brake test from the TSB.

I was worried I might have an axle issue after reading all the brake threads so I bought a dial indicator and checked the following;

bearing backlash .023in on both sides - within spec (this was pulling and pushing on the hubs with force)
hub centering diameter 4.172in on both sides - within spec
axle shaft hub surface deviation .003in and .002in - within spec

So I'm pretty sure the culprit is the new drums. I mounted them backwards on the hub (since they're hub-centric) and used a couple of lugs and washers to secure them (tightening them slightly with the lug wrench). The best way to describe what I found is that the drums were cut wrong and are "scalloped". By this I mean that every third of a turn of the drum I'm seeing my dial indicator fluctuating from 0.000in to 0.006 on the driver's side and 0.000in to 0.010 on the passenger side. I can also hear this when the wheel is mounted and I spin the tire. I can hear the shoes rubbing the drum in 3 separate spots, not smooth all the way around like it should be. To check my method I put on an old drum which is out-of-round but the measurement was smooth from low to high, nothing like the new drums.

Has anyone ever heard of new drums that were cut like this? I'm familiar with out-of-round but have never seen this kind of "scalloping". I don't think I'll have a problem returning them, the guys at the parts store are pretty nice. Should I bite the bullet and get the Toyota TSB upgraded drums? I'm leary of exchanging these drums as the new one's may be just as bad. Having only one vehicle makes it difficult to swap parts and I'm tired of pulling everything apart (3 times so far). If I buy the Toyota drums from the dealer do you think they'll check them on a lathe if I ask?

I appreciate any wisdom and advice, this issue is driving me crazy.

Thanks,
Joel

[5 Speed]

I believe the original drums had a paper/fiber material that needs to be scraped off. There could be a little on the axle causing the drums not to sit flush? Only thing that comes to mind.

[ejsharp]

Sounds to me like your front brake disks are warped. Very very very common problem on the 00s. Calipers are too small for the 00 truck. The newer Tundra calipers are needed. You can do the mod yourself by sniping out a piece of the guard plate.

[duffyatkinson]

Out-of-round aftermarket castings are NOT uncommon. You can return them, swap them for another replacement and cross your fingers, but I'd make sure you get a quality brand. I'm fairly certain the Toyota upgrade replacement drums are going to be $$$, but there are excellent quality drums available.

I would do an advanced search in the Gen-1 forum for "brake drums"; there is a TON of info out there. For more detailed help, I'd send MEvang a PM.

[perfconnpc]

Thanks guys. I think I've read every posting about Tundra brakes I could find here on TundraSolutions and through Google. Lots of great information!

I know it's not the fronts as they're fresh and less than .001in runout on both discs. Definitely not the paper shim either as I hit the hubs with a wire wheel to clean off a little surface rust and then put a light coat of anti-seize on them.

I'm hesitant to get another set of the same drums so I'm torn now between Brembos and the Toyota drums. I can get the Brembos for $70 each shipped and I've heard the Toyota drums are $125 or so. Anyone used the Brembo drums? Are the Brembos similar to the upgraded Toyota drums?

At this point I just want to get it fixed. I probably shouldn't have gone with the cheap option to start with, especially with brakes.

[duffyatkinson]

Originally Posted by perfconnpc

Thanks guys. I think I've read every posting about Tundra brakes I could find here on TundraSolutions and through Google. Lots of great information!

I know it's not the fronts as they're fresh and less than .001in runout on both discs. Definitely not the paper shim either as I hit the hubs with a wire wheel to clean off a little surface rust and then put a light coat of anti-seize on them.

I'm hesitant to get another set of the same drums so I'm torn now between Brembos and the Toyota drums. I can get the Brembos for $70 each shipped and I've heard the Toyota drums are $125 or so. Anyone used the Brembo drums? Are the Brembos similar to the upgraded Toyota drums?

At this point I just want to get it fixed. I probably shouldn't have gone with the cheap option to start with, especially with brakes.

Brembo, Wagner and Raybestos are quality brake component manufacturers. But look at it this way: for $100 in total more, you can have the quality, upgraded, heavier Toyota drums and know that you are getting the best out there. Skimping on the components that are responsible for stopping your 5,000 lb truck just isn't worth it.

My $0.02

[MEvang]

I used the Toyota drums on mine. I was very hesitant to use any aftermarket drums as I was not sure if they were as heavy as the Toyota updated units. I can tell you I put the Toyota drums on and have had no problems since.
Just be sure that the hubs are clean and free of any rust or left over shim material. Be careful not to over adjust. And always torque your lug nuts.
Mike

[bamafire]

I put the Brembos on mine about four years ago when I declared Jihad on the entire braking system. Haven't had a problem. Knock on wood.

[perfconnpc]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I think I'm going to go with the Toyota drums. If I order the Brembos and have a problem then I'm stuck dealing with mailing them back and forth. My Toyota dealer is only 10 minutes away.

I'll post an update once I get them installed next weekend.

[perfconnpc]

I figured I'd put a few hundred miles on the brakes before I posted success.

I ended up going with the Brembo drums and not the Toyota's. I called my parts store and told them I was having major issues with the Parts Master branded drums. They were very willing to work with me and offered to order the Brembos for only $70 each (which is what I could get them for online). I returned the defective drums and put on the Brembos and now the brakes are smoooooth. My truck's brakes have never been this good.

The parts guy said they usually don't have any issue with the Parts Master branded drums. They probably just had a bad bunch make it through QC.

Thanks to all the replies and to TundraSolutions; don't think I could have figured all this out without all the info posted here.

[perfconnpc]

Title edited to reflect status.

That didn't work, how do you update the title of a thread?