Noise from Rear When Brakes Are Released

[thapranksta]

When I release the brakes on my Gen 5 LE (especially when going from reverse to drive), I hear a loud sound of the brakes releasing from the rear. It's not a squeak, it is just a loud groan. I haven't had any brake work done on the car since I've had it (about 30k miles). Have no idea what the previous owner did in terms of brake work. Should I be alarmed? What do the symptoms sound like? I'm basically a newb when it comes to brake work.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

look at the rotors and see if there's an rust on the surface which means the pads aren't even hitting (like mine right now lol), or groves cut into them. Or are the drums? If they're drums i don't know how to check, never had a car with drums. Maybe find a place that does free brake inspections and take it in.

Some one else in here might have better insight but there's my 2 cents

[thapranksta]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I think the rear is drums on an I4 LE and the front is discs. That is about all I think I really know for sure.

[buckerboo]

If it is in fact rear drum (that model could have either), then I would pull the drums off and check the "backing plate bosses." Sometimes the bosses on the backing plate get dried out and shoes will klunk when they release. Some good quality grease on those bosses will work wonders. Very light on the amount of grease that you use though. We don't want to get grease on the either of the friction surfaces. "A little dab will do ya'"

Caution: if you are not familiar with any of the terms that I have used in the above thread then you probably shouldn't do the job. They are your brakes!

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

Ok, my last car had drums..i did them myself when i replaced the brakes, pain in the ass. and i had a grinding sound as well before i did them. It's probably metal on metal because the pads in the drum have worn down to nothing. Just get them inspected and they'll let you know right away.

I only found out about mine when i had my springs installed they checked all my brakes for me and let me know my rear's are shot.

[TRD VVTi]

I agree with the post above. I immediately thought about looking at the points on the backing plate where the brake shoes rub.

Clean and adjust the rear brakes, lube the brake shoe/backing plate contact points. It's preventative maintenance anyways.

[IPDaily]

Originally Posted by Kanye West

your car does not like black people, pranksta

[thapranksta]

^ LOL. I think it likes me. No major problems so far. But Toyota does not like Black people or they would give us cars for free even if we don't earn them.

TRD VVTI, I'll try to inspect as much as I can but all of this stuff is pretty new to me. I'll probably take it by a shop sometime in the next week just to see what they say when I get a chance. Then I'll update this thread.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

Since this is a brake thread and rear brakes for that matter, what are some good brake pads and rotors (i have disc brakes in the rear) to look at?

(sorry for hi-jacking Pranksta, figured this would be better than making a new one)

[thapranksta]

^No prob.