Need help to diagnose my problem - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

choulcc · 10-13-2011, 07:14 PM

I have a 02 corolla. I knew that the front pads and rotors are not in perfect condition but they can still be used for a while according to my mechanic.

Then, yesterday, I drove on highway and it was super traffic jam. stop and go , stop and go. So the brakes were engaged a lot. Whenever the brakes are used a lot in a short period of time like yesterday, the front of the car will vibrate when it is braked and slowed down within only 20-35kmh (its km, not mph). But when the traffic is smooth again after the jam, so I keep driving at 120kmh for 30mins or so, the car won't vibrate at any speed when it brakes. Is it because something is seized around the rotor, pad or caliper?

one more,

today I am driving in the city. I realized clicking/clunking noise when the car is braked and slowed down until a completely stop. When the car completely stops, it goes away. It doesn't happen at turning or whatever. Only hear it when it brakes and the speed going down until it fully stops. I think it comes from the middle or the rear of the car at the bottom on passenger side. but my gf says it is from the front passenger side

I just gave another test drive and I found out it(the noise) does not happen until the car has been driven for some time. I dunno how long it will be, it seems varying. Sometimes short, sometimes it takes a bit longer to make this happen. But once it happens, it will be there until you turn off the car for a while. for example, I just went to a supermarket. It takes about about 5km to get there from my home, several red lights I have encountered during the trip, and I also went to the post office in between. Then the noise came out when I almost arrived the supermarket. Then I turn off the car, shopping for about 20-30mins. Then I come out and drive home. I did not hear again. But I am expecting to hear it again tomorrow when I drive my car.

help me guys.

choulcc · 10-13-2011, 09:43 PM

noone?

Schubeedoobee · 10-14-2011, 09:06 AM

the highway oscillations are due to material build up on the rotors... it's probably time to change those pads and rotors. some people surface the rotors if the runout is within specifications.... I just toss them in the trash and slap on some new ones.

the clicking is more than likely coming for the rear drums. Mine seems to do that even though I just replaced those drums and pads a few days ago. I don't see any performance issues... just obnoxious noise issues for now. I might get in there and take a look, but i doubt there will be anything to do about it unless something has come undone and is not centered correctly... which i doubt.

choulcc · 10-14-2011, 10:52 AM

Thanks for your comments Schubee,

But it is quite surprising if the noise is from the drum. I　changed them about a month ago and I have never heard anything like this in the month. Plus what is the explanation for the noise that only comes after driving for some distances?

I will try to record a video and post it up on youtube and let everyone hear it clearly.

It is very difficult to send it to mechanic to fix. And after it is fixed, it is hard to diagnose if the problem is solved, since it must be driven for some distance in order to hear the noise again. I am doubting this may have something to do with the brake since long distance driving means using more brakes, but it is my guess.

choulcc · 10-14-2011, 05:53 PM

please go and look at this clip. The sound comes around 1:06-1:12

You Tube

ignore the engine light. it has nothing to do with the noise. It has been there for 3 months

choulcc · 10-14-2011, 05:58 PM

let me add one thing. Today I was going to drive it to my mechanic and have a check. However, the noise stops when the car was kept driving for another 20 mins. And I could no way show it to my mechanic.
This is so strange. At first it did not come until it has been driven for some time, then it is here, and then it goes away again after some distances. WHY?

Schubeedoobee · 10-15-2011, 08:53 AM

that is definitely a drum/pad sound... it's the same sound my car makes now that I have changed my drums and pads in the rear... mostly from the drivers side.

I have not yet taken my rear apart to look to see if there is something amiss, I really do not expect to find anything... I am very thorough in my repairs. I used all new parts and I expect it is that the drums came SLIGHTLY out of round as part of the lower cost chinese manufacturing process... I dont really see any issues with safety or performance... just noise.

to address the intermittent situation... it can only be attribute to heat I would suppose. personally mine does this sound all the time.

choulcc · 10-15-2011, 02:59 PM

thanks.

i will update it if it goes worse. thanks again