Truck Owners with Boats Warning by Mechanic

Where Did My Brakes Go?!

Many of us are guilty of this and I was no exception in the past---forgetting to inspect and replace my brake pads on a regular basis to avoid damaging the rotors.

When brake pads are worn too thin, they often wind up damaging the rotors requiring at the very least a resurfacing (machining off the top layer to just below the damage) to repair the damage and get you back on the road. However, fewer garages are offering this service today and it’s probably best they do not anyways.

Modern vehicle brake rotors are thinner than they used to be to save on weight and manufacturing costs. The problem with rotors that are thin, however, is that they tend to deform and warp should they get too hot and thereby significantly reduce your braking power. Imagine going down a steep incline and seeing just how hot those rotors can get. Used truck buyers would find it prudent to check on how much life is left in rotors that might have been resurfaced earlier.

Toyota Tundra Inspection

That’s the message in a recent Toyota Maintenance YouTube channel episode, where Peter does a quick show and tell on a 2017 Toyota Tundra (with 80,000 miles on it), warning truck owners that in some cases it pays not to attempt to have your brake rotors resurfaced. But instead, buy new ones---especially if you are a boat owner who has to back your vehicle into the water to unload your boat.

The point made is that for those trucks with rear disc brake systems, owners can expect accelerated wear on the rotors from salt water (and even road salt conditions) exposure when the truck is backed into salt water to the point where the rear wheels are partially or fully submerged.

While Peter acknowledges that the rotors could be repaired, it is a better practice to buy new ones and ensure that your vehicle has optimal braking efficiency. A good point for any vehicle towing anything.

That said, here is the video posted below, as well as a following video that shows how to replace the disc pads and rotors on a 2011 Toyota Tundra.

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Toyota Tundra rear brake pads and rotor replacement

And finally…

For additional articles related to brakes, here are a few for your consideration:

• How Service Centers Damage Your Brakes with a Simple Tire Change

• Common Brake Repair Scam in Major Name Tire Centers

• Toyota Maintenance Mechanic Shows How to Cut Brake Repair Job Costs in Half

COMING UP NEXT: From Wreck to Race Car on a Budget Bucket List

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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