vibration while braking

[ToyotaToday]

Hi

When I brake I get some vibration? Is this caused by a warped rotor? Any thoughts? And if it's the rotor, what kind of cost repair am I looking at?

by the way, it's 2002 Camry V6
Thanks

[Chunger]

If you only feel it while braking then chances are it is. If the vibration is felt in the steering wheel then it's probably the front rotors. You can jack the car up and spin the wheel and see if it spins evenly when someone very gently applies the brake (after the brake booster vacuum has emptied after first few pumps with the engine off).

Resurfacing the rotors cost about $7 each if they are still > minimum thickness. Don't waste your money on crossdrilled or slotted rotors. They are mostly for looks. Get new pads at the same time... Don't be cheap on the pads. Do not get those "lifetime" pads. Ceramic ones are pretty quiet while semi metallic may be noiser. OEM ones should be OK if you don't drive hard. Good luck.

[CamrySExxx]

is it pulsating ? most likely it is a warped rotor

[touringcamry]

Sounds like a warped rotor. If it's not very bad, you should be able to resurface the rotors for about $10 ea. That does, however, make them somewhat weaker and more prone to warping because they're now thinner but they may still last a long time.

Replacement rotors are probably about $40 each for Brembo plain-face rotors.

[Old Dood]

Yup...rotors...

[TRD VVTi]

As stated above, the rotors are probably warped.

Make sure to torque your lugnuts properly to help keep the problem from coming back.

[CharmCityES]

its warped rotors.....my car was doing the same thing until i changed my front rotors and pads....the car now stops flawlessly....its an easy and cheap fix too

[marc780]

Front wheel shimmy, only while braking = Change the rotors. Personally, i dont bother cutting them, i change em. (and i work in a shop and have access to a cutting machine for free). To get them cut, you have to haul filthy and heavy rotors back and forth and hope the machinist guy is not an idiot and cuts em right and leaves you enough metal. Or it turns out the rotors are too worn out and can't be turned.

Rotors are cheap nowadays and they have the full metal not most of the metal. This helps absorb the heat so maybe they will not warp again for a while.

[TRD VVTi]

I've never warped a set of rotors. I've cracked several sets from rapid and extreme heat buildup but never warped them.

I also never turn my rotors.

[ToyotaToday]

Ok thanks guys. when you guys say it's cheap to fix, I assume you guys mean not taking it back to the dealers... just to a brake shop. Is this correct? Toyota has a minimum charge of half an hour, $50.

[TRD VVTi]

The prices quoted above were if you take the rotors off and bring them to a machine shop to be resurfaced.

Most places will probably charge you between 1 and 2 hours if you have them do it.

[eudmaccord]

also tire balancing / balance the tire + alignment....might be the culprit....

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by eudmaccord

also tire balancing / balance the tire + alignment....might be the culprit....

No, they are not.

Tire balance has nothing to do with a vibration when braking only. Alignment has nothing to do with vibrations ever.