Warped rotors again

[ibm450]

hi all

bought new RDA dimpled and slotted rotors in late 2018 as originals became too thin and replaced ( and also warped/hot spots occurred.) on my manual sr5. i have Bendix pads on the front and RDA shoe pads on the rear.

After 6 months of new install in 2019, the new rotors warped and had the new rotors machined. no problems for about 6 months after. now after last skimming, they have started to warp again and my driving style is not of that of a truck driver nor rally driver.

brake fluid replaced on last service 2020. I hardly do any long distance travelling, but mostly short runs to work and back.

obvious question, whats causing this issue? i was told by 2 independent brake specialists that hilux braking is not a good setup and they run hot at the front and is, according to them, is a very common issue and have alot of hilux owners coming in for the same reason.

is it a caliper issue, booster on the master, sticky hydraulic caliper issues ????

Are Brembo, RDA brakes/rotors any good or are they classed as cheap products? Would going back to default Toyota rotors and pads be the better option?

[HK1837]

Do you have tyres larger diameter than standard?

[hiluxxury]

^^x2 but also did you replace with cheap rotors? There is a lot of cheap stuff out there.

This thread talks about what most have done to their brakes:

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5253&p=429627#p429627

[Viper82]

when you have warped discs the brake pads wear uneven and should replace the pads at the same time otherwise can cause the discs to warp again. I changed mine to DBC 3000 rotors and no problems since

[CamboT]

Auto or manual?
We see many auto Hilux's come in with warped rotors.
Basically its driving style. People leave them in D for "DUH" and expect it to pull up in an instant all while towing and/or they also have fitted larger wheels/tyres.
The Hilux brakes are the best on the market. Bigger than any other ute anyway. Only the newer Navaras and VW have 4 wheel discs. But then they only have twin pot sliding caliers. Hilux has 4pot calipers on the fronts.
Genuine pads have been performing better and lasting far longer than aftermarket pads as well. Some of the aftermarket pads are so hard or metallic, they are next to useless and destroy rotors very quickly.
A proper bed in period is needed for brakes to last properly also.
In my racing experience it is even more vital this is done properly. The advise for normal driving is just the same.

[ibm450]

Do you have tyres larger diameter than standard?

no 265/17 faulken

[ibm450]

when you have warped discs the brake pads wear uneven and should replace the pads at the same time otherwise can cause the discs to warp again. I changed mine to DBC 3000 rotors and no problems since

Whats the going price of the DBC 3000?

I have RDA dimpled and slotted rotors with the Bendix pads with RDA shoe pads at the rear.

[ibm450]

Auto or manual?
We see many auto Hilux's come in with warped rotors.
Basically its driving style. People leave them in D for "DUH" and expect it to pull up in an instant all while towing and/or they also have fitted larger wheels/tyres.
The Hilux brakes are the best on the market. Bigger than any other ute anyway. Only the newer Navaras and VW have 4 wheel discs. But then they only have twin pot sliding caliers. Hilux has 4pot calipers on the fronts.
Genuine pads have been performing better and lasting far longer than aftermarket pads as well. Some of the aftermarket pads are so hard or metallic, they are next to useless and destroy rotors very quickly.
A proper bed in period is needed for brakes to last properly also.
In my racing experience it is even more vital this is done properly. The advise for normal driving is just the same.

I do normal driving. Mines a manual. I dont drive like a truck driver nor as a ralley driver. I dont ride the brake pedal either. i have the same sized tyres but faulkens (265/17)

[CamboT]

I do normal driving. Mines a manual. I dont drive like a truck driver nor as a ralley driver. I dont ride the brake pedal either. i have the same sized tyres but faulkens (265/17)

Seeing as you're having constant issues, I highly doubt its an issue with the vehicle mechanically.
Possibly a mixture of the aftermarket rotors, pad material and your driving style.
You may think you're not "riding the brake pedal", but you may not be allowing them to recover between braking applications.
Use the gears to slow you down as well. Auto - drop it down manually.
Drive it, don't ride it

[Viper82]

when you have warped discs the brake pads wear uneven and should replace the pads at the same time otherwise can cause the discs to warp again. I changed mine to DBC 3000 rotors and no problems since

Whats the going price of the DBC 3000?

I have RDA dimpled and slotted rotors with the Bendix pads with RDA shoe pads at the rear.

I think I paid about $350 for the pair but they are more now. I also got bendix pads but should have went with the standard ones again. From a previous vehicle using bendix pads driving through the hills they got so hot they wouldnt brake anymore. Same happened with the ones on my current hilix also. Like cambo said standard ones are best. When I changed back to standard pads on previous vehicle with slotted rotors it never failed when driving through the hills and pulled up nicely.

[Viper82]

I brought from this ebay seller. sorry they were the T3 model

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-x-DBA-T3- ... 2749.l2649

[hiluxxury]

CamboT advice is on the money. Might want to check your drum brakes are adjusted properly but otherwise you may just want to consider going back to genuine parts or do the prado 120 rotor and caliper upgrade.

[Plumb Perfect]

Try DBA rotors. Never had a problem on various vehicles including different types of discs on a few different Hiluxs.
DBA are a quality aussie product


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ibm450]

Awesome advice guys.

So going back to softer or gueniun pads after machining the rotors might be the solution. Would I need to change the rear shoes/drums?

Also, i was told that once the rotors have been machined for warping or hotspots, it's pointless in re-machining them the 2nd time onwards as the heat damages the metal composition and is no longer the same???

[hiluxxury]

Yep or as Plumb Perfect suggested, you could get DBA rotors - I run then now (120 prado size). They are easy to get and not too much money.

I had RDA rotors like you and they were ok but not fantastic. I had no problems with the DBA or Toyota rotors and I currently run QFM pads, which are great. But if you stick with Bendix or Toyota pads matched to DBA or Toyota rotors, you should be fine.

Your drums just might need the park brake adjusted. It is simple, you dont even need to remove the wheel - there is lots written here on how to do that. It's worthwhile checking even if they are working fine.

[Gravy72]

For consideration, when I exchange disk brake pads I always remove the calipers and strip, replace seals and clean. Part of the process is to ensure boots are not torn. Regardless of changing brake fluid routinely the calipers gum up and will hang partially engaged on the disk. This partial engagement is a recipe for generating heat. Damaged boots aggravate the problems with the caliper binding.

[jimO]

last 3 hiluxes i had were auto, 20000ks was about as long as you get before discs need skimmed

[dave g]

Looking at your photos you do a lot of sand and water driving hot brakes and cold water don't go together will kill them

[jimO]

Looking at your photos you do a lot of sand and water driving hot brakes and cold water don't go together will kill them

a mechanic told me years ago another killer of discs was riding the brakes down a long hill and stopping at the bottom (traffic lights) and keeping your foot on the brake, already hot discs being held by a super hot pad

[Skrewdriver]

https://www.jegs.com/c/Safety-Seats_Dra ... &orderBy=3

Just an idea, probably not a very good one, but it's an idea anyway