Warped Disc Replacement Query

[Expressman]

In last two weeks, felt a pulsing under the brake pedal ever since having to apply brakes hard & ABS to kick in. Now Bridgend dealer says discs are warped. Seems I will need to replace all four discs and pads for £270. Surely not all four discs are warped and so suddenly after only 24,000 miles in the XTR '07 model? I am a light user and even lighter on the brakes, so what could have caused the warping. Obviously out of Toyota warranty but is 24K 'fair wear and tear' for discs? Can I look forward to further replacement in another 25,000 miles? Should I ask for the old discs to be returned?

[Big Kev]

go to Page 3 of Forum...."Warped Discs on 4.3...." and have a wee read.

Big Kev

[three5]

In last two weeks, felt a pulsing under the brake pedal ever since having to apply brakes hard & ABS to kick in. Now Bridgend dealer says discs are warped. Seems I will need to replace all four discs and pads for £270. Surely not all four discs are warped and so suddenly after only 24,000 miles in the XTR '07 model? I am a light user and even lighter on the brakes, so what could have caused the warping. Obviously out of Toyota warranty but is 24K 'fair wear and tear' for discs? Can I look forward to further replacement in another 25,000 miles? Should I ask for the old discs to be returned?

Hi Expressman and welcome to TOC!

If you could add a little more information to your profile so that we are aware of which version of the RAV you have and how old it is, it helps when people reply. I'm guessing that your's is a 4.3 and probably between 3 and 4 years old?

There is a well documented history of 4.3 discs and pads on this forum so it is worth a search. As I understand it, Toyota's line is that they only guarantee discs for 18,000 miles, regardless of the age of the vehicle, so you could easily have one under two years old that would not be covered. Part of the problem might be that you are doing few miles and the vehicle is stood for much of it's life. This situation can lead to deposits of brake pad material on the discs ( usually the front ones, but anything is possible ). Our Moderator on this forum is an expert on vehicle brake systems having worked for a top UK manufacturer for many years. From memory, his last advice was to fit after market discs and pads and the problem should be resolved and be much cheaper than a main dealers quote. The Japanese pads are of high quality, but there seems to be a compatibility issue with the Cast Iron discs. Don't go for the cheapest aftermarket pads you can get, buy some from a reputable UK, or maybe European, manufacturer. If you truly can "wear out" a set of discs and pads in 24,00 miles you are in the wrong job - suggest that you give Ron Dennis a ring ;) By all means come back if you need any further information after you have had a look at previous posts.

[Expressman]

Thanks for the welcome. I note the comments and read p3 but still puzzled why all four discs affected. Should I be asking the dealer to explain that to me?

By the way, what is a 4.3? My RAV is XTR vvi 2007 model granite.

Also while a light user, she is used every day. But I don't usually get the discs 'white hot' and then drive through a stream so I doubt that could be the reason given for warping.

[Big Kev]

A Rav "4.3" to best of my knowledge is that which became the Mark 3 model in 2006. Anchorman, whom you have been reading extensively from on Page 3 I referred you to (and not a topless burd in sight...!) may be worth a personal message re discs and pads of decent quality that he knows of to replace your warped ones.

Big Kev

[Mistermena]

Take a look at the MTEC discs and pads. I've just put some on my Avensis T-180 and found them to be a far better option than the original Bosch ones I had on there. Anch's is a great person to talk to about lots of things. I bought a DMF and clutch kit off him as a just in case for my Avensis. Top bloke on this site. Shame he's no longer got the RAV and gone to the dark side with the KIA. But I have to say when I saw the new motor it looked fab. The phone system that he showd me was just out of this World. I want one

Take a look at the post I've put on the Avensis forum about the MTEC. Anch's gave me alot of help when I was changing mine

[bothwell_buyer]

Its not likely to be 4 discs. I know from experience that you can't buy one disc- they only come in pairs...... nonsense!!

Any, most likely to be the front discs so get the front done first and ask for the old discs and pads back.

A micometer can be used to measure whether the disc is beyond use - ie its minimum thickness is normally stamped inside the bell of the disc. It is possible to have the disc very lightly skimmed then keep them as reserves - I do.

If you don't brake heavily then you don't generate the heat required to bake the pad material to hard (like baking a cake in the oven... you leave it in until its baked hard right through. I've seen opinion that pad manufacurers save energy cost by not baking the material, but leaving the final 'bake' to the car user when they brake sharply in the first few hundred miles.

If the pads are soft they will transfer material on to the disc causing the 'warped' feeling.

[Parts-King]

Its not likely to be 4 discs. I know from experience that you can't buy one disc- they only come in pairs...... nonsense!!

Most NON Toyota suppliers only sell them in pairs, you CAN buy one disc from Toyota, except we would term that as "not good engineering practice" In other words, they should be replaced in pairs so that the wear rate is the same, including replacing the pads. There would be nothing stopping you doing it if you wanted to though

On April 4th, Toyota will be having a complete price revision and I am lead to believe that brake componants will come down in price quite a lot, PM me with you car details and I will let you know when the changes take effect

Kingo

[Expressman]

Many thanks for all the comments. I had not realised how comprehensive the advice and helpful everyone would be

to a new recruit. I'll let you know how I get on.

[Davrav]

There would be nothing stopping you doing it if you wanted to though

On April 4th, Toyota will be having a complete price revision and I am lead to believe that brake componants will come down in price quite a lot, PM me with you car details and I will let you know when the changes take effect

Kingo

Kingo, can you shed any light on how the original or extended warranty would be affected should an owner decide to fit non Toyota brake discs and pads?

Does the whole vehicle warranty become void? If not, should there be a future problem with other parts of the braking system, how would that be viewed

[Parts-King]

The whole car warranty cannot be voided, just by fitting non genuine parts, HOWEVER should you fit a non genuine part, and another problem, caused by the fitting of said non genuine parts occured, then they would be within their rights not to offer you any warranty, it would also be down to YOU to prove otherwise

Block excemption stopped manufacturers forcing customers to use genuine parts and Toyota dealers for service work, HOWEVER, your car must be serviced in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations and quality parts used. I would always recommend people keep receipts and if possible use genuine as it is a lot less hassle if something goes pear shaped!

Kingo

[Parts-King]

Double post, sorry

Edited March 24, 2011 by Parts-King