Horrible brake squeal

[OhhCamry43]

So my dad has an 03 Camry and the front brakes make way too much noise. It doesn't bother him much but when we switch cars on some days, it bothers the heck out of me.

I searched around on the forums and i couldn't find my exact situation. The front brakes are not even close to being worn and rotors were changed recently as well. The mechanics clean the area to see if it helps but it doesn't. The brakes squeal A LOT especially when it is cold. Applying light to medium pressure will trigger the sound. Say i was to brake from anywhere between 10-30 miles per hour, it would make such a loud squeal. but when i'm cruising and have to break a little heavier than normal, it won't squeal. Sometimes it won't even make a noise when they are warm. Also it would make so much noise moving slowly in heavy traffic, it bothers me so much and it is quite embarrassing.

Does anyone have a clue to what it could be?

[Glenn8963]

Originally Posted by OhhCamry43

So my dad has an 03 Camry and the front brakes make way too much noise. It doesn't bother him much but when we switch cars on some days, it bothers the heck out of me.

I searched around on the forums and i couldn't find my exact situation. The front brakes are not even close to being worn and rotors were changed recently as well. The mechanics clean the area to see if it helps but it doesn't. The brakes squeal A LOT especially when it is cold. Applying light to medium pressure will trigger the sound. Say i was to brake from anywhere between 10-30 miles per hour, it would make such a loud squeal. but when i'm cruising and have to break a little heavier than normal, it won't squeal. Sometimes it won't even make a noise when they are warm. Also it would make so much noise moving slowly in heavy traffic, it bothers me so much and it is quite embarrassing.

Does anyone have a clue to what it could be?

there is a "glaze" on both the rotors and the pads. there is a proper way to "seat" or burn in the brake system, but not too many people do this, not even alleged mechanics.

you will have to remove the wheels. then de-glaze the rotors, and pads. but usually once glazed, the problem will persist.

the proper way to seat in or burn in new pads and rotors is to apply light stead brake pedal pressure form about 20 mph to the stop sign, from about 100 feet away. do this maybe all of 4 times. then light pedal pressure form a normal speed of about 35 mph to a stop sign of about 100 feet, at least one time..from this point on, the brakes should not squeal.

however, depending on your dad's driving habits, he may the the type of driver that has one foot on the brake pedal constantly riding the brakes where he is himself causing glazing on the pads and rotors. in this instance, let it go, as no amount of anything will correct his driving habits.

and if you have to apply more brake pedal pressure to stop as you say..??

you're speeding.

[leakyseals]

sounds like its not a cleaning issue, rather a greasing issue. The clips brackets, caliper pins, etc. are usually the culprits. Your car uses ceramic pads, they should not squeal on the rotor. Take it back to whoever did your brakes and have the hardware re-greased. I replace just the pads no rotor turning or replacement all the time, no squeals. Make sure they used oe ceramic pads, not the cheaper metallic or semi-metallic pads.

[OhhCamry43]

Originally Posted by Glenn8963

there is a "glaze" on both the rotors and the pads. there is a proper way to "seat" or burn in the brake system, but not too many people do this, not even alleged mechanics.

you will have to remove the wheels. then de-glaze the rotors, and pads. but usually once glazed, the problem will persist.

the proper way to seat in or burn in new pads and rotors is to apply light stead brake pedal pressure form about 20 mph to the stop sign, from about 100 feet away. do this maybe all of 4 times. then light pedal pressure form a normal speed of about 35 mph to a stop sign of about 100 feet, at least one time..from this point on, the brakes should not squeal.

however, depending on your dad's driving habits, he may the the type of driver that has one foot on the brake pedal constantly riding the brakes where he is himself causing glazing on the pads and rotors. in this instance, let it go, as no amount of anything will correct his driving habits.

and if you have to apply more brake pedal pressure to stop as you say..??

you're speeding.

The mechanic also commented on his driving habits. he drives very smoothly so people won't feel a huge jerk. Also meaning that he brakes very lightly and very early if he sees a need to stop. It doesn't squeal when i'm braking from higher speeds but once it reaches to a lower speed with the same light to medium pressure, it will start squealing. And yes i'm speeding or trying to stop for a red light because yellow lights in New York are very very very short, Thank you very much i'll have them checked out for this.

[JohnGD]

It may be the brake pad material. What brand was used?

I'd go with Akebono ProAct ceramic and lube the caliper contact points with Permatex Ceramic Extreme grease.

See also:
Permanent solution for wavy/vibrating rotors?
Left rear brake caliper getting moved out of alignment.

[OhhCamry43]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

It may be the brake pad material. What brand was used?

I'd go with Akebono ProAct ceramic and lube the caliper contact points with Permatex Ceramic Extreme grease.

See also:
Permanent solution for wavy/vibrating rotors?
Left rear brake caliper getting moved out of alignment.

OEM toyota brake pads were used on the camry. Where can i buy those?

[JohnGD]

Akebono ProAct check the catalog for the proper part number then search on Amazon or rockauto.com. Tirerack.com also has them but their prices are usually higher.

Click on Web Catalog:
http://www.akebonobrakes.com/aftermarket/index.html

If you check the pads you should see some letterings and numbers on the back. Akebono ones will have something like "AK xxx-xxx FF", NBK will have "NBK xxx-xxx FF", and I don't know what Sumitomo has. Toyota can give you pads from the lowest bidder of the batch.

So you can look for "AK" pads at the dealer or if you want Akebono ones for sure, get them on Amazon or rockauto.