98 Avalon front brakes

"Lynn Kenney" <LynnKenney@ti.com> wrote in message
news:cvd207$fih$1@home.itg.ti.com...[color=blue]
> Our car is now approaching 83K miles. It has had two complete brake jobs
> and
> I'm already starting to feel the front rotors getting out of flat. Is this
> common with Toyota? Avalon? The last time I had the brakes done, it was
> done
> strictly to correct the shaky steering wheel while braking. The brake guy
> told me at the time that this was probably the last time he could turn the
> rotors. Question: Are these simply inferior rotors? If so, suggestions for
> place and or type to get as replacements? I'm in Dallas.
>
> Thanks in advance for your expert advice.
>[/color]

When you say "complete" brake jobs, do you mean:
A) replace front brake pads and machine front rotors
B) replace front brake pads and replace front rotors
C) replace front and rear brake pads and machine front and rear rotors
D) replace front and rear brake pads and replace front and rear rotors

Of course, there are variations - using genuine Toyota (OEM) parts or
non-Toyota brand (aftermarket) parts.

A rotor that is machined (referred to as "turning") will have a much greater
tendency to warp than one that has not been machined because there is less
metal to absorb and dissipate heat.

Rapid brake wear and warpage can be caused by several factors. Assuming you
are using OEM parts, the most likely causes are:

The last brake job removed too much rotor material during the machining
process;
The caliper slides are frozen in place;
Operating driving habits are causing rapid wear and warpage, ie., continuous
gradual braking, going down long hills with the brakes applied, etc.

That said, 40,000 miles is not that unreasonable for brake life in urban
environments.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

C) replace front and rear brake pads and machine front and rear rotors

I've never owned a car before where I had noticable rotor problems; Sterring
wheel shake while braking. . But I've never owned a "good" car before
either. My old S10 Blazer had 187 thousand on it and it received less
attention to it's brakes than the Avalon has. Since my wife drives this car,
I'll also point out that her old Ford Windstar also didn't have these type
issues with it's brakes.

When I had the original brake service the car had 37K miles but had been
exhibiting the wheel shake for at least a couple of thousand miles.

Thanks for your responses.

"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:11d2a$421a7594$44a4a10d$23462@msgid.meganewsservers.com...

"Lynn Kenney" <LynnKenney@ti.com> wrote in message
news:cvd207$fih$1@home.itg.ti.com...[color=blue]
> Our car is now approaching 83K miles. It has had two complete brake jobs
> and
> I'm already starting to feel the front rotors getting out of flat. Is this
> common with Toyota? Avalon? The last time I had the brakes done, it was
> done
> strictly to correct the shaky steering wheel while braking. The brake guy
> told me at the time that this was probably the last time he could turn the
> rotors. Question: Are these simply inferior rotors? If so, suggestions for
> place and or type to get as replacements? I'm in Dallas.
>
> Thanks in advance for your expert advice.
>[/color]

When you say "complete" brake jobs, do you mean:
A) replace front brake pads and machine front rotors
B) replace front brake pads and replace front rotors
C) replace front and rear brake pads and machine front and rear rotors
D) replace front and rear brake pads and replace front and rear rotors

Of course, there are variations - using genuine Toyota (OEM) parts or
non-Toyota brand (aftermarket) parts.

A rotor that is machined (referred to as "turning") will have a much greater
tendency to warp than one that has not been machined because there is less
metal to absorb and dissipate heat.

Rapid brake wear and warpage can be caused by several factors. Assuming you
are using OEM parts, the most likely causes are:

The last brake job removed too much rotor material during the machining
process;
The caliper slides are frozen in place;
Operating driving habits are causing rapid wear and warpage, ie., continuous
gradual braking, going down long hills with the brakes applied, etc.

That said, 40,000 miles is not that unreasonable for brake life in urban
environments.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

"LK" <lynnkenney@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:Dd2dnd9MfO-3PIffRVn-iA@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> C) replace front and rear brake pads and machine front and rear rotors
>
> I've never owned a car before where I had noticable rotor problems;
> Sterring
> wheel shake while braking. . But I've never owned a "good" car before
> either. My old S10 Blazer had 187 thousand on it and it received less
> attention to it's brakes than the Avalon has. Since my wife drives this
> car,
> I'll also point out that her old Ford Windstar also didn't have these type
> issues with it's brakes.
>
> When I had the original brake service the car had 37K miles but had been
> exhibiting the wheel shake for at least a couple of thousand miles.
>
> Thanks for your responses.[/color]

A rotor that has been machined (i.e., cut, turned) is more susceptible to
warping than one that has not. Our 97 Avalon has around 95,000 miles and I
have replaced the front pads replaced twice, rear pads once, never cut or
replaced rotors. I have used only OEM pads, and made sure that the caliper
slides are free and not sticking. We have not experienced any rotor
warping.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

My '99 Sienna required brake job when it was only 25K. The symptom was
shaking violently during braking. Dealer machined the rotor and replaced the
brake pad. I replaced the front brake pads at 85K and never experience the
same problem again.

Of course, the dealer said the rotor warpped because of the bad driving
habit. I believe that just a lie. Dealers always lie to make you pay even it
is listed on the TSB.



"Lynn Kenney" <LynnKenney@ti.com> wrote in message
news:cvd207$fih$1@home.itg.ti.com...[color=blue]
> Our car is now approaching 83K miles. It has had two complete brake jobs[/color]
and[color=blue]
> I'm already starting to feel the front rotors getting out of flat. Is this
> common with Toyota? Avalon? The last time I had the brakes done, it was[/color]
done[color=blue]
> strictly to correct the shaky steering wheel while braking. The brake guy
> told me at the time that this was probably the last time he could turn the
> rotors. Question: Are these simply inferior rotors? If so, suggestions for
> place and or type to get as replacements? I'm in Dallas.
>
> Thanks in advance for your expert advice.
>
>[/color]

Rick wrote:
[color=blue]
> My '99 Sienna required brake job when it was only 25K. The symptom was
> shaking violently during braking. Dealer machined the rotor and replaced the
> brake pad. I replaced the front brake pads at 85K and never experience the
> same problem again.
>
> Of course, the dealer said the rotor warpped because of the bad driving
> habit. I believe that just a lie. Dealers always lie to make you pay even it
> is listed on the TSB.[/color]

Can you direct me to this TSB please?


Warped rotors can be from severla things, poor driving habits is one of
them.

Our car is now approaching 83K miles. It has had two complete brake jobs and
I'm already starting to feel the front rotors getting out of flat. Is this
common with Toyota? Avalon? The last time I had the brakes done, it was done
strictly to correct the shaky steering wheel while braking. The brake guy
told me at the time that this was probably the last time he could turn the
rotors. Question: Are these simply inferior rotors? If so, suggestions for
place and or type to get as replacements? I'm in Dallas.

Thanks in advance for your expert advice.

Lynn Kenney wrote the following on 2/21/2005 11:24 AM:[color=blue]
> Our car is now approaching 83K miles. It has had two complete brake jobs and
> I'm already starting to feel the front rotors getting out of flat. Is this
> common with Toyota? Avalon? The last time I had the brakes done, it was done
> strictly to correct the shaky steering wheel while braking. The brake guy
> told me at the time that this was probably the last time he could turn the
> rotors. Question: Are these simply inferior rotors? If so, suggestions for
> place and or type to get as replacements? I'm in Dallas.
>
> Thanks in advance for your expert advice.
>
>[/color]

For what it's worth, I've got a '98 Avalon that I bought with 20K miles,
and it now has 61K. I've never done any repairs or replacement of
brakes so far.
(I'd better go take a hard look at 'em!) I've never had any rotor warp
symptoms.
Of course, everybody's driving style and circumstances are different.

I would think you might want to get your brake calipers checked to make sure
they aren't holding pad against rotor when not requested by you.

If I needed rotors I would probably get Toyota replacements just to
avoid problems,
but I'm still in that mode of trying to use all-Toyota parts.

"Lynn Kenney" <LynnKenney@ti.com> wrote in message
news:cvd207$fih$1@home.itg.ti.com...[color=blue]
> Our car is now approaching 83K miles. It has had two complete brake jobs
> and
> I'm already starting to feel the front rotors getting out of flat. Is this
> common with Toyota? Avalon? The last time I had the brakes done, it was
> done
> strictly to correct the shaky steering wheel while braking. The brake guy
> told me at the time that this was probably the last time he could turn the
> rotors. Question: Are these simply inferior rotors? If so, suggestions for
> place and or type to get as replacements? I'm in Dallas.
>
> Thanks in advance for your expert advice.
>[/color]

When you say "complete" brake jobs, do you mean:
A) replace front brake pads and machine front rotors
B) replace front brake pads and replace front rotors
C) replace front and rear brake pads and machine front and rear rotors
D) replace front and rear brake pads and replace front and rear rotors

Of course, there are variations - using genuine Toyota (OEM) parts or
non-Toyota brand (aftermarket) parts.

A rotor that is machined (referred to as "turning") will have a much greater
tendency to warp than one that has not been machined because there is less
metal to absorb and dissipate heat.

Rapid brake wear and warpage can be caused by several factors. Assuming you
are using OEM parts, the most likely causes are:

The last brake job removed too much rotor material during the machining
process;
The caliper slides are frozen in place;
Operating driving habits are causing rapid wear and warpage, ie., continuous
gradual braking, going down long hills with the brakes applied, etc.

That said, 40,000 miles is not that unreasonable for brake life in urban
environments.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

C) replace front and rear brake pads and machine front and rear rotors

I've never owned a car before where I had noticable rotor problems; Sterring
wheel shake while braking. . But I've never owned a "good" car before
either. My old S10 Blazer had 187 thousand on it and it received less
attention to it's brakes than the Avalon has. Since my wife drives this car,
I'll also point out that her old Ford Windstar also didn't have these type
issues with it's brakes.

When I had the original brake service the car had 37K miles but had been
exhibiting the wheel shake for at least a couple of thousand miles.

Thanks for your responses.

"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:11d2a$421a7594$44a4a10d$23462@msgid.meganewsservers.com...

"Lynn Kenney" <LynnKenney@ti.com> wrote in message
news:cvd207$fih$1@home.itg.ti.com...[color=blue]
> Our car is now approaching 83K miles. It has had two complete brake jobs
> and
> I'm already starting to feel the front rotors getting out of flat. Is this
> common with Toyota? Avalon? The last time I had the brakes done, it was
> done
> strictly to correct the shaky steering wheel while braking. The brake guy
> told me at the time that this was probably the last time he could turn the
> rotors. Question: Are these simply inferior rotors? If so, suggestions for
> place and or type to get as replacements? I'm in Dallas.
>
> Thanks in advance for your expert advice.
>[/color]

When you say "complete" brake jobs, do you mean:
A) replace front brake pads and machine front rotors
B) replace front brake pads and replace front rotors
C) replace front and rear brake pads and machine front and rear rotors
D) replace front and rear brake pads and replace front and rear rotors

Of course, there are variations - using genuine Toyota (OEM) parts or
non-Toyota brand (aftermarket) parts.

A rotor that is machined (referred to as "turning") will have a much greater
tendency to warp than one that has not been machined because there is less
metal to absorb and dissipate heat.

Rapid brake wear and warpage can be caused by several factors. Assuming you
are using OEM parts, the most likely causes are:

The last brake job removed too much rotor material during the machining
process;
The caliper slides are frozen in place;
Operating driving habits are causing rapid wear and warpage, ie., continuous
gradual braking, going down long hills with the brakes applied, etc.

That said, 40,000 miles is not that unreasonable for brake life in urban
environments.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

"LK" <lynnkenney@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:Dd2dnd9MfO-3PIffRVn-iA@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> C) replace front and rear brake pads and machine front and rear rotors
>
> I've never owned a car before where I had noticable rotor problems;
> Sterring
> wheel shake while braking. . But I've never owned a "good" car before
> either. My old S10 Blazer had 187 thousand on it and it received less
> attention to it's brakes than the Avalon has. Since my wife drives this
> car,
> I'll also point out that her old Ford Windstar also didn't have these type
> issues with it's brakes.
>
> When I had the original brake service the car had 37K miles but had been
> exhibiting the wheel shake for at least a couple of thousand miles.
>
> Thanks for your responses.[/color]

A rotor that has been machined (i.e., cut, turned) is more susceptible to
warping than one that has not. Our 97 Avalon has around 95,000 miles and I
have replaced the front pads replaced twice, rear pads once, never cut or
replaced rotors. I have used only OEM pads, and made sure that the caliper
slides are free and not sticking. We have not experienced any rotor
warping.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

My '99 Sienna required brake job when it was only 25K. The symptom was
shaking violently during braking. Dealer machined the rotor and replaced the
brake pad. I replaced the front brake pads at 85K and never experience the
same problem again.

Of course, the dealer said the rotor warpped because of the bad driving
habit. I believe that just a lie. Dealers always lie to make you pay even it
is listed on the TSB.



"Lynn Kenney" <LynnKenney@ti.com> wrote in message
news:cvd207$fih$1@home.itg.ti.com...[color=blue]
> Our car is now approaching 83K miles. It has had two complete brake jobs[/color]
and[color=blue]
> I'm already starting to feel the front rotors getting out of flat. Is this
> common with Toyota? Avalon? The last time I had the brakes done, it was[/color]
done[color=blue]
> strictly to correct the shaky steering wheel while braking. The brake guy
> told me at the time that this was probably the last time he could turn the
> rotors. Question: Are these simply inferior rotors? If so, suggestions for
> place and or type to get as replacements? I'm in Dallas.
>
> Thanks in advance for your expert advice.
>
>[/color]

Rick wrote:
[color=blue]
> My '99 Sienna required brake job when it was only 25K. The symptom was
> shaking violently during braking. Dealer machined the rotor and replaced the
> brake pad. I replaced the front brake pads at 85K and never experience the
> same problem again.
>
> Of course, the dealer said the rotor warpped because of the bad driving
> habit. I believe that just a lie. Dealers always lie to make you pay even it
> is listed on the TSB.[/color]

Can you direct me to this TSB please?


Warped rotors can be from severla things, poor driving habits is one of
them.