2007 Camry Rotors - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

WaterCop · 04-29-2009, 04:40 PM

I have the 2007 Camry LE 4cyl. At 15K, I noticed some shuddering while braking (noticeably more at higher speeds). The dealer said the rotors were warped and they turned them under warranty. Now my car has 42k miles and it is back (warranty is now expired). I am assuming the rotors are warped again. The dealership is the only one who has touched the car and I rotate my tires every other oil change. My miles are mostly highway and I am a conservative driver in FLAT Louisiana. I have never had warped rotors on any vehicle between me and my wife and we have owned many cars. I am thinking during tire rotations the dealer did not use a torque wrench or Toyota rotors are substandard. I would appreciate any advice from mechanics or seasoned owners. Thank You!

JSM1284 · 04-29-2009, 05:01 PM

Rotors also warp from heat, when you turn them, they get thinner, making them more likely to warp. Its very common, and not really a isssue with the dealer.

njerald · 04-29-2009, 05:41 PM

Most of the time it's the driver.........riding the brakes, slamming on the brakes or a lot of stop and go driving...ie..excessive heat.

I have 37,000 miles on mine with no shuddering.

My rear pads are less than 40% worn.

I change/rotate tires myself, twice a year and always use a torque wrench.

CamrySExxx · 04-29-2009, 07:48 PM

you know what you should do to save your brakes??

...

downshift/engine braking

.... (jk dont actually do it)

WaterCop · 04-29-2009, 09:10 PM

My pads are fine. Again, I drive conservatively and my commute is 90% highway (light traffic) with frequent trips from Louisiana to Florida. I usually accumulate over 60K miles on each vehicle I have owned (11 between me and my wife) and have never needed to replace rotors. I feel it is unusual for them to be resurfaced at 15K miles and again at 42K.

I guess I will get new rotors and torque wrench and do it myself. Any recommendations for aftermarket rotors? I normally buy OEM - but I am very leery given my experience with these rotors.

johawk79 · 04-29-2009, 09:41 PM

Find rotors that aren't made in china. That rules out Wearever, Centric, ProStop, Autopart International ultra series, Auto Zone brand (can't remember the name right now), Raybestos and many others are all made in the same plant in China.

If you want ensure no problems then you are gonna have to go with a premium rotor. Brembo would probably be your best bet.

***JohnGD*** · 04-29-2009, 09:54 PM

I wouldn't get Toyota OEM rotors. IMO overpriced and underperforming.

Back in 2002 Toyota put out a TSB on rotors warping. It was probably substandard material and they were replaced free. But I wouldn't be surprised if you got similar (cheap) rotors too. The lowest bidder for the batch wins.

I recommend getting Akebono ProAct cermaic pads as well as either Brembo rotors or Raybestos Advanced Technology rotors. You'll find them online, including rockauto.com whose ads you see on this site.

I understand Toyota also sources pads from Akebono, but they are cheaper EE rated pads, not FF ProActs or GG Street Performance.

http://www.akebonobrakes.com/afterma...ads/index.html

I'd also flush the brake fluid every 2 years. I prefer Castrol GT LMA, Low Moisture Activity, or Valvoline DOT3/4 synthetic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterCop

My pads are fine. Again, I drive conservatively and my commute is 90% highway (light traffic) with frequent trips from Louisiana to Florida. I usually accumulate over 60K miles on each vehicle I have owned (11 between me and my wife) and have never needed to replace rotors. I feel it is unusual for them to be resurfaced at 15K miles and again at 42K.

I guess I will get new rotors and torque wrench and do it myself. Any recommendations for aftermarket rotors? I normally buy OEM - but I am very leery given my experience with these rotors.

***JohnGD*** · 04-29-2009, 09:59 PM

You know, Raybestos used to make their top line rotors in North America (often in Canada). But I've heard that the AT series were moved to China.

I would still trust their top line products, but I trust Brembo

even more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johawk79

Find rotors that aren't made in china. That rules out Wearever, Centric, ProStop, Autopart International ultra series, Auto Zone brand (can't remember the name right now), Raybestos and many others are all made in the same plant in China.

If you want ensure no problems then you are gonna have to go with a premium rotor. Brembo would probably be your best bet.

WaterCop · 04-30-2009, 08:20 AM

Appreciate the help JohnGD. I guess it's time to break out check card and get to spending. Other than the rotor issue I am quite happy with Toyota. I do get the feeling they are slipping in quality as they grow.

***JohnGD*** · 05-01-2009, 02:56 AM

In addition to rotor material, some rotor warping can be caused by substandard pads. And Brembo doesn't advise using new rotors with old pads on their new rotor packaging. (I don't know why the reason)

SE_2007 · 05-10-2009, 01:48 PM

it's about time to replace those rotor anyways

***Yazovets*** · 05-10-2009, 02:46 PM

Warping is normal. My first set of rotors (the front ones) had to be re-machined twice because they warped twice. By the time they started acting up again everything was worn out enough so I just told my mechanic to do a complete new brake job with new OEM parts all around (pads, rotors, sensors).