2001 Avalon Brakes Squeak

[BDS_237]

Both front and rear brakes on a 2001 xls (discs) are squeaking while driving. When moving slow it is worse. If I steer from side to side it makes it go away slightly. We initially put advance auto brakes on and thought it was just poor quality pads, so we replaced with high-dollar wagner brakes, still have the same problem.

I've owned it for two years and it never had the anti-squeal shim pads on it, but that was never a problem while braking anyway.

My thought is this, that the caliper bolts need to be greased, because they are sticking and dragging fit kits into the rotors on one side, or the fit kits need to be greased between the kit and the pads, so that when the brakes are applied, it doesnt pull the thin metal of the fit kits into the rotors.

What do you think? Does this make sense? I am on my way now to go pick up some grease to tackle this today. I'll check back before I start.

-Sean.

[new echo owner]

Lube between the pads and the fit kits. Are the pads you put with shims on them or are they separate like the factory pads? Put some lube between the pads and the shims too if they are separate.

N.E.O.

[BDS_237]

Thanks NEO - that is what I am going to do. There are no seperate shim pads to lube between. I am going to center the fit kits in the torque plate and lube the channel that the pads ride in, also I am going to thoroughly lube the bolts that the calipers ride on. Hopefully this combination will prevent the fit kits from hitting the rotors.

I'll report back what I find.

-Sean.

[BDS_237]

Well, I went ahead and purchased the little packets of syl-glide from autozone. I then pulled each wheel and caliper off, along with each pad at each wheel. Then I pulled off the fit kits, or pad support plates as the haynes manual calls them, and wire brushed them until they were close to new. This was essential, as each plate had lots of spent brake residue in each channel where the pads slide.
After wire-brushing each one, top and bottom, I lubed them up with the syl-glide. I also lubed each pad backing plate where it contacts the support plates. I also lubed each pin that the caliper rides on; some had almost no original grease left.
After putting it all back together I went to back out and it moaned and squealed worse then before, but I guess this was just them resettling because it went away a moment later. After a two mile test drive, turns both ways, stops, high speed, etc, it came back fine, no more squealing brakes.

I'll update if it comes back.

-Sean.

[dapetrick]

Are brakes supposed to be lubed on a regular basis? Is that what they mean by lube in tune and lube? I thought everything was permanently sealed and lubed these days.

[new echo owner]

No, only when you are having problem with noisy brakes that are not related to pad material. The area that BDS_237 was referring to are actually open to the element, and over time the lubricant can melt away or washed off, so there might be some noises when braking.

N.E.O.

[BDS_237]

Well - this same problem has been back for a couple of months now. The relief really only lasted about a month, if that. I am dumbfounded as to what the problem could be.

Just today I replaced the front brake hardware, thinking that would help. It didnt. Tomorrow I will be replacing the rear brake hardware to see if that works. I am talking about the little stamped spring steel pieces that the pads ride in.

I have also read on here where it could be the backing dust plate rubbing the rotor... so I will inspect those tomorrow too.

For those reading, here is a detailed account of the symptoms. -There is a high pitch squeal/squeak almost all the time coming from a wheel on the driver's side, cannot tell if it is rear or front yet. When I turn, it goes away, and it happens whether moving forward or reverse, high or low speed. If I apply the brakes, it goes away, too. As soon as I let off, it comes back. The pads are in excellent shape and are less than 6 months old.

Would re-bleeding the brakes help? Machining the rotors (also less than 6 months old)? Is there a shim that is somehow missing from my car due to a previous brake job before I owned it? Why would it go away when turning? Does this indicate it being a front axle problem? Would the brakes be effected by turning? What about the rotor being affected, i.e. gyroscopic effect?

Please help before I pull my hair out. Thanks.

[dizzymon247]

Turn the radio up a notch . I hear wind noise in mine. I just got my used 2002 XL with 80k miles a month ago.

[Gwadwerc]

Cold comfort of the misery-loves-company sort - but I've had the exact same problem for over a year with my 2000 Avalon. New pads, new rotors, nothing works for more than few weeks. 3 different mechanics have produced no better results than my own amateur trouble-shooting.

I gather you've had no luck with the Permatex brake quiet or with checking your dust backing plates?

[BDS_237]

Sorry for not posting the details of my findings...

Yes, actually, I did have success.... so far.

I put permatex brake quiet on the pads and replaced the brake hardware both front and rear. I dont know that either of these really made a difference, but I did them anyway, and would recommend them to others. One thing I noticed was that pushing the dust backing plates back with my hands made a huge difference. I imagine this is what the majority, if not all of the noise was coming from. When a tire is put back onto the car, and someone sets it onto the disc brake first, it most likely bends the backing plate into the rotor. I noticed is severly on one, and adjusted the others for good measure.

As of a week later, still no problems.

[Gwadwerc]

No apologies necessary - thanks for the details. I'll try all that when I'm home next week. Glad there's a place like this to get answers. You'd think amongst 3 mechanics, this would have been resolved long ago...

Hope those measures continue to work for you. That squeal can get especially annoying in the summer with the windows down. On the upside - haven't come anywhere near hitting a deer since it started.