Brake Squeel

[jamesholden]

Hi all,

My Avensis' brakes keep squeeling when coming to a stop, it's been back to the dealer a couple of times, so far they have refaced the pads, skimmed the discs and done something to the rears (mine is the pre-facelift 2.0 so it has discs/drums).

After everytime it's been back it seems fine but after about 2 weeks it starts to come back again. I've seen it with the wheels off and the discs look immaculate and there is plenty of meat left on the pads.

Any ideas what else it could be?

[sjrainsford]

Anti squeel shims? Or maybe copper slip smeared on the back of the brake pad normally helps. Also, cutting a small diagonal groove in the pad itslelf can help.

[phues]

Had a very similar problem in my Carina E - turned out just to be a build up of brake dust... But you say all looks immaculate? Otherwise I agree with sjrainsford about the shims being a possiblity, although you'd think they'd have checked that at the dealer. If all else fails maybe you should take it to an independed brake specialist...

Good luck anyway, mate. It's !Removed! annoying having your brakes squealing at you all the time!

[sjrainsford]

Wind up the window?

Turn up the radio?

[jamesholden]

Wind up the window?

Turn up the radio?

I very rarely have the windows down - you can hear it from inside the car

Turn up the radio - possible, but I like to drive in stealth mode, that way you can creep up on people and they don't know your there - Japanese engines are very good at that.

[yannick]

I noticed that the brakes sqealed on my new Avensis, but I just assumed that they were bedding in or whatever...

6000km later it's still happening. I had a passenger recently who also had bought a new car (the manufacturer of which will remain nameless to avoid derisive comments :D ) and had had the same problem. He took it back to the dealer. The response? "That's normal"

[adi]

but I like to drive in stealth mode, that way you can creep up on people and they don't know your there

I've read about people like you in the papers...

[ShoX]

Tryed anything as simple as putting your foot on the brake while driving for a few hundred yards ?

That should help get rid of any high spots on the pads ?

You know if its coming from the front or rear ?

Rob

[jamesholden]

I think it's coming from the rear, but can't be certain.

The front pads were re-surfaced anyway so they are level, also front and rears have been cleaned out, aswell as the front discs skimmed.

[spwolf]

I noticed that the brakes sqealed on my new Avensis, but I just assumed that they were bedding in or whatever...

6000km later it's still happening. I had a passenger recently who also had bought a new car (the manufacturer of which will remain nameless to avoid derisive comments :D ) and had had the same problem. He took it back to the dealer. The response? "That's normal"

indeed, but do complain to your dealer at your next service... they might fix it... Since they had to change brake pad materials (asbestos brake pads are a big no no these days), your brakes might squeal somtimes. Still not a reason to complain, they might have a solution...

[ShoX]

Anti squeel shims? Or maybe copper slip smeared on the back of the brake pad normally helps. Also, cutting a small diagonal groove in the pad itslelf can help.

Just remember ladies and gentlemen, copper slip and any frictional part of your braking system may well = fun at your next big stopping opertunity.

Be very carefull what you touch afterwards.

[sjrainsford]

Anti squeel shims?  Or maybe copper slip smeared on the back of the brake pad normally helps.  Also, cutting a small diagonal groove in the pad itslelf can help.

Just remember ladies and gentlemen, copper slip and any frictional part of your braking system may well = fun at your next big stopping opertunity.

Be very carefull what you touch afterwards.

True! Well it makes for entertaining driving!

Try a different brand of pad. I'm running different pads on mine and they make all the difference.

[yannick]

I noticed that the brakes sqealed on my new Avensis, but I just assumed that they were bedding in or whatever...

6000km later it's still happening. I had a passenger recently who also had bought a new car (the manufacturer of which will remain nameless to avoid derisive comments  :D ) and had had the same problem. He took it back to the dealer. The response? "That's normal"

indeed, but do complain to your dealer at your next service... they might fix it... Since they had to change brake pad materials (asbestos brake pads are a big no no these days), your brakes might squeal somtimes. Still not a reason to complain, they might have a solution...

That's funny - the next service is at 15,000km (for the first checkup) so I've got a few months ahead of me! :D (currently at 8900km)

[Mick24]

If its coming from the rear then you need to :-

1) Deglaze the rear shoes and drums.

2) Remove the brake shoes and copperslip all contact points where the shoes touch the backplate,wheel cylinder,handbrake linkage,automatic adjusters(Ha!).Refit the shoes.

3) Slacken off the handbrake cable and then adjust the rear brake shoes up.

4) Adjust the handbrake cable until you have about 5 clicks on the lever with the drums locking at 3-4 clicks.

This time of year,the build up of dust and glaze in the drums combined with the moisture of the damp in the air will make them squeel like bas***d.

I have always found the above method to work 100% with squeeling.

[jamesholden]

It's all been done already, so not sure what it is, although my handbrake after they had a go at it last time now only goes up about 3 clicks, but I only go up 2 usually as it holds perfectly well.

[Aveuser]

Try a different brand of pad. I'm running different pads on mine and they make all the difference.

What brand (and model/series...) are you using? How long do they last and are you satisfied with their performance (considering your driving style of course).

Thanks!

[jamesholden]

I think mine are just the standard Toyota ones, the braking seems adequate although not as good as on my Primera, but I put that down to having drums on the back instead of discs and the fact that mine is now an automatic so when braking you are always braking against the gearbox.