Brake problems, trouble shooting, fix?

[itzsteven]

Okay, my car has been acting weird lately. Everytime I brake, I can feel my car shake from the back, and the loud knocking noise appeared from the back also. Also, I can even feel my brake pedal is a little shake when apply the brake (always happen at 35mph and up)
The question is, is that my brake having problem or something else? My car still stop very good but the shaking and knocking noise is crazy and make me worry. Help me everyone.
Let assume that the brakes having problem. (my friend told me it the brake in the back, and it was drum brake) Should I take it to toyota dealer for service or I can just take it to anything like monro, luffy...??? Any recommendation? Please not DIY, I don't know anything about brake, specially the drum brake.

[Mike Gerber]

If it is coming from the back and you have drum brakes on this car, then the most likely cause is a warped brake drum. It is more common to have a warped disk rotor up front since they do most of the stopping, but the rear drums can also warp. One simple test you can do to determine if is is coming from the back or front is to simply drive the car at the speed you normally feel the vibration and pull up on the hand/emergency brake. If you feel the vibration in the hand brake, then it is definitely coming from one of the rears. If you don't feel the vibration, then it is coming from the fronts. Don't do this test if you don't normally use your hand brake when parked; if not normally used and then you use it, the cables could have rusted in place and possibly stick in the on position or snap. If you normally use your hand brake, then this simple test will not cause any problems.

You don't have to take the car to a dealer for this. I would recommend an independant mechanic, not one of the chains. Ask around for recommendations from friends or relatives in the area for a good independant shop.

Good luck with the problem.

Mike