2006 4Runner Pulsing when braking

My 06 4Runner (156K miles) has a pulsing issue when braking that I need some help diagnosing. The pulsing that I am feeling is not in the brake pedal at all. The entire vehicle pulses causing the nose to drop in a pulsing fashion and for the occupants to start their head bob when there isn't even any music playing.

I've also had a few instances where traffic abruptly stops in front of me causing me to have to slam on the brakes and at least one wheel briefly locks up. The pedal then goes to the floor and it feels like I have no brakes at all for a brief moment which has scared the crap out of me.

I have new tires all around. I recently replaced the front brake pads and had the rotors turned. Nothing changed. I then went out and bought brand new front rotors. Still no change. I have lifted the front end by the lower control arms and tried jarring/shaking the front wheels left to right and up and down and every which way to see if there was any play at all. Everything seems to be tight there.

I have replaced rear pads, but have done nothing to those rotors yet. Could the rear rotors cause such a severe issue as I'm seeing?

I look forward to your input great or small.

 

My wife's old Dodge Nitro had rear rotors that were mildly out of spec. When braking hard it would shutter and vibrate like crazy. I pulled them off and replaced them. Problem went away completely. Something else to keep in mind also is even if one rotor is not perfectly true, it will cause the others to pulse too since its all one enclosed system. I'd start by replacing those rear rotors as well.

 

I forgot mention that it does not shake the steering wheel either which does seem to "steer" me away from the front end. I went ahead and purchased rear brake rotors today with plans on replacing them tomorrow morning.

 

Awesome let us know how it goes. I know you said you changed the rear pads, but check them as well to make sure they are making full contact with the new rotors. Uneven rotors can cause uneven pad wear.

 

I'm happy that you posted this. I have the exact same problem with my 2005 limited. However I notice it if I have to break hard and I go over a bump while breaking hard. Scares the you know what out of me. Like I have no breaks. It's very hard to explain so I just don't. Lol. Please let me know if this helps.

 

does this only happen under braking? no vibration or shake when youre just driving?

 

Only when breaking. But it's not all the time. Like breaking and hitting a bump at the same time.

 

I'm happy to say it was the rear rotors. I replaced them on Saturday and was pretty confident, but after driving 100+ miles around DFW today I can say it without a doubt. Smooth braking again, finally!

 

Nice! Happy you got it figured out.