3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Okay SO.... ever since my last brake rotors/pads change my brakes have been ALRIGHT...
Except after driving with them for around 5-6 miles, they begin sounding like a small girl shrieking her head off through a megaphone.
I've used 5 different types of disc brake cleaners, all to no avail. I've replaced the brake fluid several times, all to no avail.
SO! While I was installing my CAI, I decided I would inspect the pads and rotors.
Pads looks barely used-as I expected, and the rotors looked okay.
BUT my question is, how do I know if the rotors are solid? Is there anything in particular I should be looking out for? The brake pads looked good, and I can tell how to check them, BUT the rotors I don't know as well.
Side Note: Brakes are my weakpoint with car knowledge. Though they are pretty simplistic to understand, I have yet to delve into that subject completely.
Did you use aftermarket pads? In my experience with my '92, anything other than Toyota OEM brake pads squeal like crazy, regardless of what you do to try to make it go away. I tried two different brands (from NAPA and Checker Auto), and a couple of anti-squeal goops that go on pad's backing plate, between the piston and plate. Nothing would make that obnoxiously loud squeal go away. And there was no "sweet spot" of brake pedal pressure that was quiet.
I believe Toyoto's pads are non-metallic, so my conclusion was that any metallic pads will squeal. YMMV.
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1992 Camry LE, V6 (3VZ-FE), ABS brakes, 330k miles, dark emerald pearl, owned since new.
1996 Avalon XLS, ABS brakes, moonroof, white, acquired w/ 139k miles, now at 261k.
2001 Yamaha FZ1, Ivan's jet kit, resprung all around, Ohlins in the rear, Race Tech cartridge emulators in the forks, 45k miles.
I have some low priced replacement pads on my car that my friend (we take all our cars to his shop) pad slapped when he was fixing my right wheel bearing because I had to leave soon and he was too busy to do a full brake job, plus I couldn't afford it. They squealed to high heaven no matter what I did. Yesterday I took them apart and scuffed up the rotors and pads with 100 grit, followed by a wire brush on a drill on the rotors and then rescuffing the braking surface with 100 grit again. So far so good, only a tiny bit of squeak at one or two distinct pressures.
Did you use aftermarket pads? In my experience with my '92, anything other than Toyota OEM brake pads squeal like crazy, regardless of what you do to try to make it go away. I tried two different brands (from NAPA and Checker Auto), and a couple of anti-squeal goops that go on pad's backing plate, between the piston and plate. Nothing would make that obnoxiously loud squeal go away. And there was no "sweet spot" of brake pedal pressure that was quiet.
I believe Toyoto's pads are non-metallic, so my conclusion was that any metallic pads will squeal. YMMV.
These were OEM pads, that's the confusing part! And what leads me to believe something is probably scratching against the rotors...
I have some low priced replacement pads on my car that my friend (we take all our cars to his shop) pad slapped when he was fixing my right wheel bearing because I had to leave soon and he was too busy to do a full brake job, plus I couldn't afford it. They squealed to high heaven no matter what I did. Yesterday I took them apart and scuffed up the rotors and pads with 100 grit, followed by a wire brush on a drill on the rotors and then rescuffing the braking surface with 100 grit again. So far so good, only a tiny bit of squeak at one or two distinct pressures.
Nathan
Hmm.. If I don't find anything wrong with the rotors maybe I'll give this a shot.
Is there any downside to doing this to your rotors and pads?
i had the exact same problem that you have been experiencing. towards the end it became too embarrassing with the brake squeal that we got the mechanic to look at the brakes. the rotors were in perfect condition so the mechanic just replaced the brake pads (they were basically still new pads already in the car). Well once he changed the pads the problem went away. He explained to us that it could have been the compound that the pads were made from (luckily he charged us nothing for the pad replacement as he believed the old pads were faulty).
So i'd just replace the pads with a new set and hopefully the sound will disappear.
The rotors should be OK, as long as there is no pulsation. If you don't find anything scraping the rotors then move on to checking the pads and the way they are installed. Did you use the 2 anti-squeal shims on the back of the Toyota OEM pads. If not, they need to be installed on the OEM pads. If they are already in place, then I would remove them and try the stuff BMR has suggested. Many brake noises come from the pads vibrating in the calipers. This stuff is tacky and makes the pads stick to the piston on one side of the caliper and the other pad to the caliper itself. It eliminates the vibration that could be causing the noise. Just make sure not to get any on the surface of the pads that contact the rotors.
Nope, no downside to scuffing up the surfaces. Just don't go nuts and sand too much. I think the squealing will return tho.
Give this CRC "disk brake quiet" stuff a try. I've had fairly good results with it, except of course with the metallic pads I mentioned.
x2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony the Tiger
The Camry is a car that I can rip out someone's pride, stab it, beat it, and completely bash their egos, and it's so ridiculous that the person comes back with a hysterical laugh... ROFL They got trainlengthed by a Camry that in their mind, was a 18 sec car.
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Squeeky disgustingly loud brakes....!
, 95 Camry DX 4-cyl
Linear Mode
