Shaking while braking at low speeds

I dont notice it as much at high speeds. Took it to my mechanic which I trust, he just takes forever as hes super busy... Warped rotors. He machined the front, new pads. Seemed better. But the shaking came back. Realized I'm likely keeping my goodyear ultraterrains pressure way too low, and airing up seemed to help, but it came back.

I read about a different issue when it wasnt happening much, about drive train I think, and weight in the bed?

So last weekend I loaded my tow hitch winch in the bed (close to 90lb's) and tools, and the shaking returned. Reminded me of that post. Gear has been in the bed all week, and the shaking has been consistent, it's the worst under 50 all the way down to 10mph it seems. It doesnt completely go away bit seems to be the worst when I have added weight in the bed.

Also, when I brake harder, there seems to be very little shaking. Or at least, when I brake lightly I feel it the most, and pressing harder on them it mostly goes away. It hasnt ever gone away 100%, but so far this now seems to be the case, and I likely unloaded the bed when i had the brakes done and also the day that i aired the tires up higher.

2017 sport, 52k miles on it, bought at 46k. I have bilstein 6112/5160, came with the truck, purchased probably 4 months ago.
I slapped goodyear ultraterrain 265/70/r17 on it days after purchasing.

Any tips going forward? Thinking about driving a road today, testing braking, unload the bed, then try to replicate similar patterns and compare. Ita possible I'm imagining things and the warped rotors my mechanic repaired are just shot? I just know I read about other issues before but cant seem to find those threads now.

 

Mine does the same. 2021 OR, same suspension, 285/85/16s, 700 miles on the odo

EDIT: 255/85/16

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-4x4-tacoma-has-vibration-when-braking.558611/

 

Yikes! I did read people mentioning that toyota says its normal...

I do have to say, it hasnt been shaking nearly as bad as before I got the brakes done. The worst though was when I went camping, bed FULLY loaded and driving down a steep incline at low speeds. Dont know if it's because it was so heavily weighed down, or if the brake repair actually helped. It was shaking badly before the brakes, it's just hard to remember since now I'm focused on the existing shaking lol.

 

So, if today I unload my bed and the shaking is negligent, just send it and ignore it?

 

When new brake pads are mated with new, or turned rotors/drums they have to be seated. You have to take the vehicle out, get it up to 50-55 mph and brake hard, almost to lock up. Repeat several times until you get the brakes hot. If this isn't done initially brake dust will accumulate on the rotors or drums and create a vibration when stopping.

If you're the type who drives very conservatively like grand ma all the time brake dust can still accumulate on the drums or rotors. Sometimes it helps to get it out and get the brakes hot to burn the dust off the rotors.

FWIW the issue seems to be more problematic with Tacoma's than most. My 07 has had the issue come up occasionally over the years. Getting the rotors turned has corrected the problem for a few years, but it has come back eventually. I'm at the point where my rotors can no longer be turned, I'll need new ones next time.

 

Thanks for the tips. Half the time I have a bit of a heavy foot, but I've been I intentionally braking as little as possible, because of the shaking. So in that manner, I'm probably driving lime a grandpa And I dont think I've ever slammed on the brakes that hard. I also live on a dirt road, but am at my GF's half of the time. Still, on dirt frequently.

I'll try heating them up today and cross my fingers that it helps.

 

Try going into reverse and slamming on the brakes a few times . Some member recommended here and seemed to help .

 

It helped you? Or the OP?

 

It helped me . It seemed to smooth the braking out . Thinking maybe the pads shift over time and going into reverse helps to realign things . But I’m guessing. Overall I’m pretty happy with the result .

 

Cool, thanks. I'll see if I can find an empty parking lot and perform that as well.

 

Does it still shake when you slip the transmission in neutral while braking it?

 

I will check on that today when I head out.

 

I would get a good alignment done at an alignment shop (not a tire shop). If you have too much toe-out the vehicle’s front wheels can wander all over the place rapidly at low speed. A good alignment should take up the slack in the front end steering and suspension components.

Just something worth trying. A truck that drives straight is not always optimized.

 

Thanks. It's time for one anyway. Should have done it immediately.

 

This goes against the break-in procedure in the owner's manual.

 

Ignore many of the suggestions in this thread.

 

Confirmed, yes.

Before heading to Wally world, went around the corner to a long straight residential rd which rarely has any traffic, and 50mph limit. Left bed loaded for now. Did a few accelerations to 50, both light and medium braking, just to get a feel. Then did a couple more in neutral. Feels the same. I feel it in both the steering wheel and pedal.

Tomorrow morning I'll unload the bed, repeat for comparison, and then run the road again with some hard braking.

I definitely need an alignment (put it off initially, and then it just continued) so thatll be next. If no improvement, tire shop to check balance and tires. If still nothing, I guess new oem trd rotors and pads all around (I have a buddy with Toyota dealer account).

If the shaking is still happening after all of that, I'm going to be pissed.

 

My 2015 OR does this ever since putting Terra Grapplers on Ray 10’s. They’re half way through their life at this point. I’ve been tolerant of the issues. I think it’s my rotors or an issue with balancing. Didn’t happen with my OEM wheels and tires. TG’s, from what I’ve read are notoriously known for being difficult to balance. I don’t get any vibration in the pedal my steering wheel just shakes upon initial braking and gradually reduce the longer they’re applied. Mine is more noticeable at higher speeds though (45+ MPH). Next time I’m going to try bead balancing. I’ll be eyeing this thread. GL OP

 

Partially sounds like mine, except it's happening at lower speeds. I think I notice it the most around 40mph and light braking, and then yes it gradually declines. Pressing brakes harder it mostly stops. And I feel it a lot in the pedal, which makes me question whether it's the same issue.

Mine has the TRD pro rims, everything on it (except tires) came on the truck.