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2004 Highlander Front brake squeal

11046 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  dinosaur1
Since having my front brakes calipers, rotors and pads replace 8k miles ago, my front brake continue to squeal when I initially drive my highlander for the first minute or 2. The dealer said it was due to the snow, ice and road sand this past winter. However, I continue to have the problem, where I want to duck down when pulling out of my companies parking lot.

The squeal does go away, after the first few stops (braking). It is also more evident if I had rained while the car had been parked.


Any advice on how to approach my dealer again. I am tired of hearing that a little brake lube took care of the squeal. For this is a temporary fix to the problem.
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Sounds like might not have put any anti-squeal compound on the back of the pads when doing the brake job?
In addition to not putting anti squeal compound my question would be if they put on new shims or not, or if there are any shims on them now. Sometimes they will put on the original shims back on and discount that as being a problem, then out of just shear trying, they slap a new set on and whala, it fixes the problem.

Look at your service records, tell me everything they replaced, including part numbers and I'll se what I can come up with. It may be difficult without seeing the vehicle, but I might see something that I can steer you in the right direction. then again, I might not, but I am willing to try.
I found my invoice and it shows the following being done. The dealership did the following I complained about a intermittent noise and vibration.
They said the cause was due to a caliper hanging up. If fact they stated: Diag found right front brake caliper seized and rotor blued and
pads worn down. Replaced both front calipers, rotors and pads

1 04465-YZZ1M-TM BRAKEPAD, W-SHIM,KIT
2 43512-48031 DISC, FR
1 242-61472 AFTERMARKET CALIPER W/HARDWARE
1 242-61471 AFTERMARKET CALIPER W/HARDWARE

They later blamed the squiking on the sand, dirt from winter driving.

Then this past September, they service advisor stated that noise happens
on replacement pads.
See less See more
Well,
I tell you what, the pads that they used, and no fault of theirs, Toyota was getting a lot of complaints on. They have done since discontinued those pad numbers and replaced them with a full ceramic pad. If it was done within 12 months, you should just simply ask the dealer to replace the pads under warranty. I know that is what we would do here. We have already done a few warranty replacements for customers who had those pads installed on their cars. Now this is also treated as a case by case basis and not across the board, but enough for it to not be an issue for your complaint. They are a Toyota Complete Maintenance Care product which is covered under Toyota's replacement warranty. There is no reason why you should be told that squealing brakes are an acceptable answer.

Now what I don't understand is why they installed non factory Calipers on your vehicle. Was that a timing issue, an availabilty issue, or money issue. I also hope they informed you that they were not factory calipers. That is the only other issue I see with your parts on the vehicle. I don't even know if the calipers are an issue.

I found my invoice and it shows the following being done. The dealership did the following I complained about a intermittent noise and vibration.
They said the cause was due to a caliper hanging up. If fact they stated: Diag found right front brake caliper seized and rotor blued and
pads worn down. Replaced both front calipers, rotors and pads

1 04465-YZZ1M-TM BRAKEPAD, W-SHIM,KIT
2 43512-48031 DISC, FR
1 242-61472 AFTERMARKET CALIPER W/HARDWARE
1 242-61471 AFTERMARKET CALIPER W/HARDWARE

They later blamed the squiking on the sand, dirt from winter driving.

Then this past September, they service advisor stated that noise happens
on replacement pads.
See less See more
Well,
I tell you what, the pads that they used, and no fault of theirs, Toyota was getting a lot of complaints on. They have done since discontinued those pad numbers and replaced them with a full ceramic pad. If it was done within 12 months, you should just simply ask the dealer to replace the pads under warranty. I know that is what we would do here. We have already done a few warranty replacements for customers who had those pads installed on their cars. Now this is also treated as a case by case basis and not across the board, but enough for it to not be an issue for your complaint. They are a Toyota Complete Maintenance Care product which is covered under Toyota's replacement warranty. There is no reason why you should be told that squealing brakes are an acceptable answer.

Now were these offending pads semi-metalic and not full ceramic?:confused:
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I just heard from my local Toyota service rep, and he stated that the pads (04465-YZZ1M-TM) that were installed earlier look OK and that the new ones are the exact same pad(04465-AZ012), but just a different part number
part number 04465-AZ012.

I informed him that I thought that was incorrect and asked him about the fully ceramic pad (SCERAMIC 04465-48030) sold by Toyota. He further stated that the Toyota full ceramic pads have a TSB warning, that they could squeal and make other noise.

This is the same service rep, that said all replacement pads squeal when there is moisture present.

I informed him that I would get back to him on how to proceed.
This is the same service rep, that said all replacement pads squeal when there is moisture present.
I live in one of the most humid, damp, and rainy parts of the US and have NEVER had pads that squeal. If they squeal its usually because of cheap material that the brake pads are made of..

The service rep is just making excuses so you don't take your business to someone who actually knows what they are doing.

and honestly I don't know why people still use factory pads.. from past experience they are as cheaply made pads as the Chinese made ones at the parts store.. there are much better options out there in the aftermarket..
Since having my front brakes calipers, rotors and pads replace 8k miles ago, my front brake continue to squeal when I initially drive my highlander for the first minute or 2. The dealer said it was due to the snow, ice and road sand this past winter. However, I continue to have the problem, where I want to duck down when pulling out of my companies parking lot.

The squeal does go away, after the first few stops (braking). It is also more evident if I had rained while the car had been parked.


Any advice on how to approach my dealer again. I am tired of hearing that a little brake lube took care of the squeal. For this is a temporary fix to the problem.
I have the EXACT same as you have. What did you end up finding out? Is it fixed?
I have the EXACT same as you have. What did you end up finding out? Is it fixed?
Me three. The first time a use the brakes in the morning, they squeal. But not after that. The previous ownere told me it had been doing that since he had the pads replaced and rotors turned last time. I've kind of stopped worying about it, but if it wasn't so predictable and happened more than just the first stop, I'd have to have something done.
Ceramic pads correctly installed (with all the pads and shims and clips) are the best I've come across for quiet braking. Organics next best. Semi-metallics the worst.
My brakes have a very, very loud annoying squeal when I drive it.* It only happens after it is parked for a few hours and when I start driving. It goes away while I'm driving, but it is getting worse and getting much louder over time.

I have only driven about 20k miles on the new brake pads.* I originally noticed the brake squeal after a few thousand miles when the new pads were first installed, but my advisor told me that this sound was normal back then.*

What should I have my dealer check?*
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