2018 Prius Brake problem 35K miles

I'm left thinking.. "what has gone wrong with your car"? It doesn't make any sense that this is a normal wear and tear problem.
So instead of just replacing pads and rotors that should in theory not need to be replaced I would be looking for answers and have someone who knew what they were doing inspect and diagnose.
Best,
Richard

 

The rotor runout should be checked with a precision gage; a dial indicator mounted on a fixed point, indicating on the face of the rotor. If the rotors are warped, the runout will be out of spec.

Warped rotors at 35K miles would be very unusual.

Who has been doing the scheduled maintenance (particularly tire rotations) on your car? Impropoer torquing of wheel lug nuts can cause warped rotors.

 

I'm not sure myself, but is it possible to tell where the pulse is, front vs rear?

Rotor runout and thickness spec's, and how to measure, are in the attached. A dial indicator with magnetic base, and a 0~25 mm micrometer, and you're away.

 

The ABS, traction control, stability control, etc, can all cause strange wobbling/vibration like sounds and sensations.

Does the frequency/pitch of the vibration go down as you slow down, or is it the same at all speeds? If it stays the same that points more towards it being one of the above, of it changes with speed it points more towards a mechanical issue.

Does it happen with very gentle braking or only with hard braking?

Does it get worse or better with more brake pressure?

Does it happen when braking up hill?

Does it happen when braking and cornering at the same time?

Can you tell if it's only coming from one wheel or more?

 

If it's only just started suddenly - I'd be finding out what changed - otherwise changing pads/rotors may not solve the problem.

I'd get a wheel balance first - and ask them if they think, due to a wear pattern, if a wheel alignment could be worthwhile.

Has it hit anything which might have bent a rim - or even a suspension item?

 

36k, my dealer would be selling me a brake job on the front, 45,000 for the rear, nice con.
But if you've got vibration and the ability, yes, change the rotors, make SURE to torque the rotors properly, your's may be warped because they weren't properly torqued.

And unhook the negative then positive from the 12 v battery.

Greasing the caliper pins is always a plus.

 

Yeah all I've ever done on our 2010 is disconnect the negative battery post. And I do that religously. And with everything reassembled, before reconnecting the negative battery post, push the brake pedal multiple times, take up any excess travel and get everything "seated".

 

I would get the rotors checked ASAP if one is cracked a chunk could fall out and lock the wheel up.

 

someone else from ohio just posted that her dealership and a private mech both told her she needed all new brakes on a 2016 with 33k.

 

The rotors are not torqued. The wheel is torqued and clamps the rotor in place.

 

Must be an Ohio thing.

 

maybe the same dealer

 

Had an almost identical thread on the C-Max forum last week. OP was also from Ohio and posted pics of the brakes on his 2017. They had about 10x the corrosion that my 2013 has. They don't call it the Rust belt for nothing. Corroded/stuck pins won't let the pads move freely which can lead to excessive pad wear and worn rotors.

 

I am the person with the 16 Prius that needs brakes replaced. I do think it is the Ohio winters and the excessive amounts of salt we see around here. That's why in the thread I started, I was trying to figure if there something I could do to keep this from happening every 30K miles...I really love my Prius but perhaps they aren't the best cars to have in this climate.