Squeaky Suspension and Breaks...

[FrankXT86]

Sorry...I have like 3 questions in 1:

I have a 1999 Toyota Camry 2.2l I4 - Front Disk's Rear Drums

When I go over like dips in the road or the curb to my house, suspension squeeks; but it's only on bigger dips or doing like 1mph up the curb to my house. I believe that it's only on the front breaks though. I took it in to the mechanic and he said the the struts were a little squishy and would cost about $450 to fix (wasn't sure if he said each or total). He said they were not that bad and just drive on them until the get worse later on. The car does have alot of miles on it (~98K). So do you think I should get them fixed or just wait and do what he said and wait until later until later?

Also...If I press the brakes down they sqeak. I wont be moving (i.e. i am parked in my driveway) and they squeak when I press them down. If I pump the brakes in park they will squeak each time I push the pedal down. Should this be any cause for concern?

Last one:
My brakes squeak...a lot. It sounds like a bus sometimes. Like I just got them checked out from the same guy who checked my suspension and he said that they were like brand new and were like perfect. I never had new breaks on a car before that squeeked before. Just wondering if I maybe should go to a different place or will it eventually go away with normal wear and tear on the brakes?

TIA for reading my questions.



Edit: There is also a knocking coming from the front of my car when drive over bumps when I first start to drive. It goes away after I drive for a bit.

[woshiagni]

Suspension:

If it's making noises in the front, the parts to inspect are the struts (could be blown) and the upper strut mounts (need regreasing/replacement). I don't know much about drivetrain, but you should inspect all the other rubber stuff up in the front to ensure nothing's cracked/leaking. The knocking is almost certainly the strut mounts.

Brakes:

If brakes are squeaky and brand new, then it could be that when they were last replaced, anti-squeal gel wasn't applied. If you're using non-OEM pads, they will also be more prone to squeal than the original Toyota pads.

[SCEPTER300RR]

for gen 3's i know that the rear sway bar bushings always squeaked... but if its the front check out the bushings... and since its squishy i would suggest a new set of shocks.. 450 should be for all 4 not just 1...

as for the non moving brake squeal try having ur caliper lubricated.. i had that before whenever i let go of the brakes there would be squeak sound.. turned out i just needed to lubricate my caliper system...

for squeaky brakes get some anti seize and anti squeak gel that should quiet things down for ya.. good luck...

[kocho]

Originally posted by SCEPTER300RR
for gen 3's i know that the rear sway bar bushings always squeaked... but if its the front check out the bushings... and since its squishy i would suggest a new set of shocks.. 450 should be for all 4 not just 1...

as for the non moving brake squeal try having ur caliper lubricated.. i had that before whenever i let go of the brakes there would be squeak sound.. turned out i just needed to lubricate my caliper system...

for squeaky brakes get some anti seize and anti squeak gel that should quiet things down for ya.. good luck...

I think these are good suggestions. Get your mechanic (or you do it if you can) to lubricate the caliper bolts and apply anti-squeak compund on the back of the brake pads and between the metal plates that are b/w the brake pads and the calipers on the front. Have your rear drums checked and possibly cleaned as well.

The thumping you hear after you move from a stop may be normal, if you only hear it immediately after you move from stop or from revese - there is a TSB for this on your car ('97-01) and is due to the brake parts moving back and forth. Not a problem.