[andrewst01]

'13 Highlander SE with 26k miles and I've noticed this in the last month, most likely because I've had the radio/sound system off. Only hear it when pushing down on brake pedal. Sounds like wood floor creaking. Any ideas?
Just went out of warranty three months ago (of course!).
Thanks.

 

[alekska]

It's possible that rubber bushings in suspension A-arms are making the sound. When you push the brakes the front of the car dives down, and bushings twist. It sounds too early for such a low mileage though. Was the car standing for some time without being moved?
Alex

 

[andrewst01]

Thank you Alex. Car spent two weeks in our garage while we were on vacation in July, but that's it, not long enough to affect anything. Otherwise, it is driven daily.

Sounds like the dealer have to look at it. Good time to have them check the "sotto voce" humming type noise when turning the steering wheel, that has cropped up this year.

 

[shumif1]

I replied on another thread here about your creaking noise . My 09 has a creaking noise in my right rear brake , it is the brake pad actually rocking back and forth . Not up and down or side to side. It's hard to explain but i had my HL up on a lift and was able to recreate the noise with a friend and i was underneath and saw the pad moving. The pad actually rocks and is touching the left edge then the right edge of the pad never the middle , never saw anything like it. Toyota knows about this but has no answer but just to lube the pad where it touches the spring clips.

 

[alekska]

I replied on another thread here about your creaking noise . My 09 has a creaking noise in my right rear brake , it is the brake pad actually rocking back and forth . Not up and down or side to side. It's hard to explain but i had my HL up on a lift and was able to recreate the noise with a friend and i was underneath and saw the pad moving. The pad actually rocks and is touching the left edge then the right edge of the pad never the middle , never saw anything like it. Toyota knows about this but has no answer but just to lube the pad where it touches the spring clips.

This have happened to me in other cars... there could be several possible reasons:

1. pads are worn ( not the friction part but the ears that go into the caliper)
2. Anti-noise shims are not installed at all; or not installed correctly
3. Pads are aftermarket or manufactured out of specs/
4. Spring clips have lost the "springiness" or not installed correctly

- Alex

 

[shumif1]

I only used OEM parts , pads ,rotors, spring clips. One tech at Toyota said that after changing everything that he changed the brake hose to the calipers and the noise stopped . He said the inside diameter closed up a bit restricting brake fluid to the caliper , so that's my next step.

 

[shumif1]

So i finally had a chance to change the brake hoses on both rear brake calipers and noise is still there , this is just drivin me crazy. I will try to put the car back on a lift and record what is happening to let you guys see and hear what is making this noise.

 

[andrewst01]

Follow-up on my original post about the brake pedal that creaks when in "Drive" and the brake pedal is engaged:

I took the car to the dealer and they said they could not replicate the sound. ~major eye-roll~ They told me the brakes work fine, no safety issue, but they could not get it to make the noise. Yeah, right. I heard the creaking noise all the way home from the dealer, every time I pressed the brake pedal.

It is tempting to take it back and demonstrate, but they don't charge a $150 fee if they don't find anything wrong. If they do any work, There is a $150 fee and it's applied to the repair. Catch 22.

Still annoying that they said they could not hear the noise. Whatever. I'll learn to live with it or trade cars when it drives me crazy.

 

[shumif1]

andrewst01, i can replicate the noise whenever i want , Let the car roll about 5 MPH with your right foot on the gas ,press the brake with your left as if to stop then release just a bit just to keep the pads on the rotors. Maybe go to the dealer and do that so they can hear it . I had one tech in the car and 3 outside walking along side and listening to the noise. My next step is to change the caliper.

 

[shumif1]

I just changed my caliper on the side that was creaking so i will keep an ear out for the noise and let you know .

 

[shumif1]

OK, so it's been a while and happy to say the noise is gone :grin:. I guess it was the caliper after all.

 

[andrewst01]

OK, so it's been a while and happy to say the noise is gone :grin:. I guess it was the caliper after all.

Well done! Was your noise inside the cabin, at the pedal itself?

 

[shumif1]

The noise was coming from the brake pad but you can hear it inside. No vibration at the pedal.