Caliper and Rotor off center...

I've recently rebuilt a lot of the front suspension and brake system including new shocks, upper lower ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar links, hubs, knuckles, rotors and brakes. After getting it all back together the rotor and caliper are not centered.

This has been driving me crazy. I measured all the parts and they seem to be in spec. It seems only the knuckle, hub or rotor could be causing this. The rotor sits to the outside too far and the outer brake barley squeezes into place. The caliper is about a card's thickness away from the rotor on the outside.

It's a limited 4runner with 18" wheels (13WH calipers). Has anyone run into this before? Any suggestions on what could be causing this? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

OEM parts?

If not there's your issue.

 

Thanks AuSeeker for the quick reply. The knuckles are A-Premium, the Hubs are TRQ and the rotors are bosch. Even though I measured all the parts and they seemed correct? Would you recommend switching the Hubs and the knuckle? Is the rotor a possible issue too?

 

I couldn't say, comparing the parts should show some difference if that's where the problem lies, otherwise it could only be in the reassembly.

 

I'll definately take your advice on OEM parts from now on. But I'm trying to eliminate spending too much more money on this, it's getting expensive. Is there anyway to get a diagram with measurements for the 4runner. I only compared the hub to other aftermarket hubs. I noticed the OEM Parts it's sold in two pieces. I'd like to know the distance from the hub mounting surface to the surface were the rotor mounts. Any way to find out?

 

Don't know.

 

Another question: are there different hat heights on the rotors for the 2008 4runner?
Also this is occurring on both sides as I did both sides with all same new parts.

 

Check OEM part numbers

 

cant emphasize enough how better OEM parts are vs aftermarket. But for brakes/rotors i run Durago coated rotors and Akebono pads. I ran the Bosch rotors and pads on my Honda Pilot and they were fantastic.

 

Biggest suspects are the rotor and caliper. Are the calipers new aftermarket or reman?Post all the PNs.

 

I can rule out calipers (Carquest Premium brand). Before I replaced the calipers I had everything together and the original calipers were the same way. I relized the needed replaced anyway so I bought new ones.
This car has 270K mi. and it's got a lot of rust. I'm trying to keep it alive and giving it the best parts I can afford. - Ha, but I can't afford these problems either! i know.

 

^Then the rotors are the next suspect. Could be incorrectly listed for the application (e.g. maybe they were made for 5th gen, same diameter but different width and offset). Post the P/N you bought.

Is the rotor positively seated on the hub, with a couple of lug nuts holding it down? I've seen StopTech rotors where the bore was a hair too small, due to the electrocoat the mfr put on.

 

QuietCast Disc Brake Rotor: Bosch 50011245

 

^Measure the rotor total height including the hat. Check it's 67.3mm and not 68.4mm. Check the thickness of the disc portion. Should be 28mm and not 32mm.

 

Thanks 3JOH22A for the comment. The Rotor is 28mm thick and total height is probably 67.3mm (It's still on so I'll need to check later). Deeper would actually be better though because I need more space on the outside not the inside. A deeper hat by 1.5-2 mm would give me what I need. So I don't think it's the rotor. I suspect the knuckle or the hub.

 

I had a similar issue with rear brakes on my 5th gen. I had ordered Bosch rotors that supposedly were confirmed fitment, however when I got everything together it clearly was not right.

Pulled everything back apart, realized the center bore of the rotor was a hair too small and it was not sitting flush on the flange. I ran to O'Reilly's for a pair of their rotors and they fit correctly, solving the problem.

It was really close, I think if the taper inside the Bosch rotors had been a little different they'd have fit.

 

That sounds promising Trial Runnah. I'll check it tomorrow and reply with an update. How did you figure it out? Did it rock or sit solid? The rotor sits over the inner bevel/lip but if it sits high in the bevel - then maybe that's it. I was wondering about the hub too. Can anyone confirm the mounting surfaces on the hub being 54.5mm from knuckle to rotor?

 

I just confirm the the rotors without a doubt are sitting flat and solid against the hub. Also measure the rotor's height 67.3mm exact. So we can rule that out, and the calipers - (as the new calipers fit just as the previous ones did with the same offset (in fact slightly better because of the corrosion on the old one). So it must be the knuckle or the hub.

Hub is TRQ - CSA64083
Knuckle -

$178 A-Premium Front Suspension Steering Knuckle Compatible with Lexus GX460 Toyota 4Runner FJ Cruiser 2003-2015 Left and Right Sides 2-PC Set

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YPT64C7?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1

I used calipers to measure the knuckle to the old one and the distance from the hub mount surface to the caliper mount surface is exact.
I also measure the hub, but not to the old part because i didn't have it, but to other brands at auto parts store. 54.5mm

I think I'm loosing my mind!
Thank you all for helping me double check everything. I can not image what I'm over looking. Assembly is straight forward and there are only four parts and they all seem to measure fine. Err!

 

I just had a thought. I'm new to the Toyota world. Could it be that the rotor isn't designed to be centered on the caliper? I didn't take pictures before I started the job, but maybe it was like that before. Doesn't make sense to me, but maybe. Any 2008 4runners who can clarify if this is indeed a problem that the calipers are not centered with the rotor ? - See pict above
Thanks,
Ryan

 

^Is the rotor rubbing against the caliper? If not, then there should be no harm in leaving it as-is. When you apply the brakes the first time, the four pistons equalize against the rotor surface and stay there.

 

Thanks 3JOH22A. The caliper is not rubbing but the brake pad is slightly. Perhaps it's my OCD that says it "should be" centered or close. Anyone else agree that this is okay?