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Brake squeak slow speed

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Chucklehead, Dec 22, 2021.

  1. Dec 22, 2021 at 6:24 PM
    #1
    Chucklehead

    Chucklehead [OP] Enjoy the ride! You only get one trip

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    Hey fellow Runners.
    Ok so my 2021 is just over 6,000 miles. Not seen a winter yet, Im, original owner. Has had no modifications or even been touched in a way that would cause this. Damn brakes are squeaking at slow speed and VERY intermittent and inconsistent. Seems to be coming from the front but possible heard rear too. Drivers side. Typically when under 10 MPH. The squeak is a deeper sound than a normal brake squeak.

    anybody else? Any known history on this? Im contemplating taking wheels off and evaluating myself before taking to the fing dealership who i respect and trust in negative numbers.

    thanks folks for any history/suggestions.
     
  2. Dec 22, 2021 at 7:25 PM
    #2
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    Panic stops? Lots of mountain driving? Live on the coast? Leave it outdoors in the night in the rain?
     
  3. Dec 22, 2021 at 9:08 PM
    #3
    TrueTexas

    TrueTexas New Member

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    I had a very similar issue ony previous vehicle (Chevy Silverado) when it was new. I didn't want to take it to the dealer so pulled the pads, cleaned up the calipers and used some CRC Disc Brake Quiet on the back of the pads. Never heard another squeal or squeak for the additional 50k miles I drove it.

    CRC Disc Brake Quiet - 4 Fl Oz. (05016) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CINV88
     
    A&P and Toy4X4 like this.
  4. Dec 23, 2021 at 3:28 AM
    #4
    Chucklehead

    Chucklehead [OP] Enjoy the ride! You only get one trip

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    nope grandpa driving
    30-55mph 90% of its life
    Majority highway
    Parked inside since owned it
    In flat ass boring northern Indiana so no hills
     
  5. Dec 23, 2021 at 3:29 AM
    #5
    Chucklehead

    Chucklehead [OP] Enjoy the ride! You only get one trip

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    Thank you— might pick that up
     
  6. Dec 23, 2021 at 3:57 AM
    #6
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked New Member

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    I had the exact same issue with my 2021 SR5 Premium. Since I was working at a dealership at the time, I had my friends in Service look at it under warranty. They cheerfully replaced the pads and rotors with new OEM parts. The problem went away, only to return. I talked to our best technician - who did the work - and he said there is a known problem with a very small number of T4R's and brake squeal. Since the fix recommended by Toyota didn't work, we tried a product similar to the Brake Quiet recommended above. It worked for about a week, then we were right back to square one.

    So, how did we fix it? Since we all knew it was a high-frequency vibration from the pads, I decided to take matters into my own hands and replace the pads with something other than OEM. I ended up going with a set of Powerstop Evolution Sport Carbon Fiber Ceramic performance pads. Problem solved. Does this mean that these are the only pads that will stop the issue? No, I'm sure there are plenty of aftermarket pads that will do the trick. What is does mean is that the OEM pad compound is the root cause.
     
  7. Dec 23, 2021 at 9:07 AM
    #7
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    I will probably have them clean the brakes before doing anything else.

    If you haven’t done anything extreme to the truck there is a possibility the pads became contaminated with something you ran over, like an oily greasy puddle or something.
     
  8. Dec 23, 2021 at 10:29 AM
    #8
    IceYeti

    IceYeti New Member

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    I have the same problem on my 2021. The brakes will squeak the first time I use them every day.
     
  9. Dec 23, 2021 at 11:01 AM
    #9
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    That’s normal. Your rotors rust a bit overnight.
     
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  10. Dec 23, 2021 at 11:51 AM
    #10
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked New Member

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    No, it's not normal. If it was, all vehicles with disk brakes would do it. It's a known issue within Toyota on T4R's as I mentioned earlier.
     
    aldi20 likes this.
  11. Dec 23, 2021 at 1:04 PM
    #11
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    must be a Toyota problem because my 200 series land cruiser and my 80 series do it as well.
     
  12. Dec 23, 2021 at 1:29 PM
    #12
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked New Member

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    Quite possibly, although none of my family's fleet of 8 other Toyota models does it. I knew about the issue when I bought my T4R and was really hoping it wouldn't develop it. It didn't start until I had almost 5,000 miles on it. At least it's cured now.
     
  13. Dec 23, 2021 at 4:40 PM
    #13
    lowflyer

    lowflyer New Member

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    Mine has started doing it at about 6000 miles:(
     
  14. Dec 23, 2021 at 7:24 PM
    #14
    Chucklehead

    Chucklehead [OP] Enjoy the ride! You only get one trip

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    Well well well
    Sounds like there’s company in my boat on this and curiously basically same mileage.
    It is SO SO SO inconsistent that going to dealer and complaining will end up with me just pissed right off cause it certainly wont happen when i go in.
    Had alot of vehicles over the years both many new ones and used ones where i had performed a brake job with rotors and pads and NONE ever had this problem.
    Total Suckage bummer
     
  15. Dec 24, 2021 at 3:50 AM
    #15
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked New Member

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    When I bought my T4R and was experiencing this problem, I was working for a Toyota dealership and had a very good relationship with the guys in Service. As I mentioned, they cheerfully replaced my pads and rotors - only to have the problem return. But that's really all they could do since they have to use OEM parts. That's why I took matters into my own hands and simply replaced the pads. Even for the very best pads one can buy, you're talking less than $100 for the set and installation takes no time at all.
     
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  16. Dec 24, 2021 at 8:38 AM
    #16
    lowflyer

    lowflyer New Member

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    So, why do OEM pads squeal? I live in a very dry environment. Why would they rust overnight in my garage? It's almost like the pads come from the factory with some sort of coating that wears off about 5-6K miles. Those of you who have discussed this problem with a Toyota shop...did you get an explanation?
     
  17. Dec 24, 2021 at 9:00 AM
    #17
    Chucklehead

    Chucklehead [OP] Enjoy the ride! You only get one trip

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    thanks. Yeah i think i will just go the route of replacing the pads vs a coating of some sort.

    Im sure they are saving .25cents a pad for some slightly lesser ingredient in the soup that makes the pads.
    At .25 cents a pad and after 500,000 vehicles thats a $500,000 in their pocket(4pads/vehicle)… take the scale of their true volume… its big big money.

    The automotive companies rely heavily on suppliers for designs, cost savings and innovations and a supplier is swiftly moved off a contract when a better option comes along. Something like brake pads is a commodity to automotive companies. those suppliers too have nickels to save and shave testing and ingredients all the same. Everyone trying to do just enough to get past the warranty period. The automotive industry has this down to a science.

    Having worked in the automotive industry for 20 years at the OEM level and 10 years at a supplier level from product development and engineering roles up through leadership these be my first hand knowledge and experiences.

    Not dissin OEM as a bad option but aftermarket items are oftentimes a touch better and sometimes miles better.

    This situation does surprise me a bit though on this brake situation as Toyota is friggin KING of the mountain on quality and reliability and on such an aged platform.

    if this is the only issue i ever have im one happy 4 wheeler!

    Oh Merry Christmas to all you Runners! Hope santa brings ya’ll some kick ass shit. Can’t wait to see the ‘What have you done to your 4Runner Today’ thread blowing up over the next month as everyone posts their new goodies
     
  18. Dec 30, 2021 at 6:12 PM
    #18
    mrmike7189

    mrmike7189 New Member

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    Mine did it when new. I haven't noticed it in about a year now.
     
  19. Dec 30, 2021 at 6:14 PM
    #19
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    My 21' does it when cold out, there is supposed to be a TSB on this I think. I'm only at 3500 miles so I haven't looked much into it yet.
     
    mrmike7189 likes this.

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