Shaking during braking.

UtahToyx2 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-30-2006, 07:42 PM

My 04 highlander has been shaking very bad when braking. It doesn't shake while driving, only when braking so I am thinking it is a brake issue. The steering wheel shakes violently back and forth during normal braking, not just when braking hard. I figured it was warped front rotors so I replaced the front rotors and brakes last week. I noticed that when I removed the brake pads they were not worn down at all. The brakes appeared to have more than half of their life left, but I replaced them anyway because I figured they were the problem. After the replacement, the highlander shakes just as bad as before, so this must not have been the problem. I am stumped on what the problem could be and am looking for suggestions on what could be causing this? Thanks.

LifeTech · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2006, 10:18 PM

try rotating the tires to see if yu have

a tire/rim problem. Then go from there. balance etc. Check front end for tie rod wear etc.

Strange1 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2006, 07:37 PM

Check as noted by LifeTech and also check rotors to see if warp exists.

Jack

UtahToyx2 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-16-2006, 11:18 AM

Thanks for the responses. I did as you suggested and took it down to Pep boys to get the tires rotated. I asked the tech what he thought the problem could be. He inspected the rotors while rotating the tires and said that the new rotors were warped! They had only been on for less than 2 weeks so he said that they must have came warped from the factory.

I looked at all the local autoparts stores, Pep Boys, Autozone, Checker, etc. and no one had any rotors and they all told me their warehouses had them on backorder and they couldn't get them. I finally found them on Checkers website and put them on yesterday. I still don't understand why Checker stores can't get them but I can order them from their website? What a difference! The car is riding smooth now. What a hassle to say the least.

Thanks again for your help.