Toyota has a great product

[corrwtch]

A longtime car enthusiast, I graduated from a FIAT convertible and BMW 325 IX (1988) into a 2000 Sienna that I bought new when my first daughter was born. I really like this vehicle: solid, dependable and trouble free. Just one annoyance that I have learned to live with: noisy rear brakes. Everyone in my neighborhood can hear when this vehicle backs out of the garage.

I also have a 2004 4Runner V8 Limited (7 passenger version) - I bought it used in 2005. This is an amazing vehicle that I plan on driving for at least 10-15 years. The only thing I would like changed is the interior space - just a tad short on elbow room in the front. I got the 7-passenger specifically because it has no sunroof and therefore is good for headroom (I am 6'1").

I got into Toyotas after witnessing the unbelievable durability of a 1988 4Runner that my brother drove for years. I think he eventually put in excess of 350k on it and the only non-scheduled maintenance he did was to re-seal the thermostat housing. He even rolled the truck (and had to get a lot of body work done) but the engine and drivetrain were unaffected.

I look forward to enjoying my Toyotas for years to come. I hope that I can tap into the knowledge of other members of this forum and offer some advice as well.

[MR2Jedi]

Welcome to the Forum. Yeah, I have 293.000 on my '95 Tacoma 4x4...Still going strong!
Have you tried the anti squeal stuff for your brakes?

[corrwtch]

I have not heard about an anti-squeal product. My dealer told me that Toyota recognized the rear brake problem as a design issue and may have made some different parts (drum, shoes, etc?) available but I never heard any more. One time I took the van in and insisted that they fix the squeal - and they did, I think by cleaning and carefully griding the edge of the brake shoes or something. As expected, the problem returned again after a few months.

At some point, I thought I heard somewhere that the squealing may be caused by glazing on the drum. As a test of this theory, I temporarily eliminate the squealing by doing one or two emergency brake stops - but I have not monitored to see how long the effect lasts (my wife primarily drives the vehicle). The emergency brake on my Sienna applies the rear drum brakes by cable actuation.

[Chris Tacoma]

Hello corrwtch , Glad you made it. Welcome to the forum