'02 4 cyl Highlander Front End Noise

[LizWiz]

We have a 2002 4-cylinder Highlander with about 65k miles on it. Just noticed a new front-end noise crop up yesterday. Appears to be coming from the right front tire area.

It can be best heard when driving under 30 in the neighborhood, but probably is there at higher speeds to. Sounds like something is rubbing (fairly loud squeak, squeak, squeak noise). No vibration or clunking noise.

Noise goes away with the slightest application of brakes or if you turn the steering wheel to the right.

Took both front tires off and had a look. Nothing out of the ordinary. The right front brake calipers lower pin (two pins that allow the caliper to slide in and out) seems to not be moving, while you can see movement in the upper pin when squeezing with your hands. Not sure if this is normal or not. LH caliper seems to have movement in both upper and lower.

Any ideas what might be causing this noise? Hopefully it is something simple.

Thanks for your help!

[MEvang]

Your noise is most likely the warning tab on the brake pad. This is a small tab of spring steel attached to the back pad that will make contact with the rotor when the pads are worn down and need replaced.
It is quite common for the noise to go away when you press the pedal or a turn put deflection in the suspension and brakes. Likely replacing the pads will solve your problem.
Have your pads ever been replaced?

It is common to have the one slide pin tighter then the other as one likely slides in a full rubber boot. When replacing the pads it is a good idea to lubricate the pins.
Now this is very important, do not lubricate these pins with any thing but Silicon brake grease. Anti-seize, white grease or wheel bearing grease are all an absolutely no-no. These grease will swell the rubber that the pins slide in causing the caliper to stick and not move properly.

Mike

[LizWiz]

Hi Mike,

The brake pads have never been replaced. I considered this to be the cause of the problem, but the front brake pads have a lot of meat left on them. How far down can they be worn before the noise maker starts singing (i.e., is it below 1/8" of pad left, etc)?

Assuming the pads need to be changed, do the front rotors automatically need to be turned? There is no sort of pulsating when the brakes are applied, which would indicate warped rotors. Can one just change the pads, grease the pins using silicon brake grease, and be done?

Thanks for your help!

-Marshall

[MEvang]

These warning tabs aren't precision pieces. They are likely to make contact when there is about an 1/8" of pad left.
Don't feel jipped by replacing them with some material left. You are much better off since you are more likely to get by without machining the rotors. So yes, go ahead and just put some pad on it.
Mike

[Tundradrenalin]

My RAV4 has started to squeak from the right side, rear maybe? Well, it squeaks when the brakes are not applied, but then when you tap them and hold them slightly depressed, the noise subsides a little. The noise fades to nothing according to how much you depress the pedal. The sound I hear sounds identical to what I read in LizWiz's first post.

I've read about the springs and retainers in the disc brakes that if not replaced correctly when brake work completed, they can cause squeaking noises. This is directly from the RAV4 Toyota repair manual diagnostics for brakes.

Maybe these are the original brakes and it's just time to get them replaced? From reading what you said Mike, I bet this is the case, and it's time to replace all four pads. It has disc-brakes on all 4 corners.

[MEvang]

You are correctly. Many sliding calipers have spring clips the hold the pads tight. The brackets that pads and clips fit in tend to rust under these clips. Rust takes up clearance, so when the pads are replaced and pushed back into place, many times the clips get push out of place and can be shoved against the rotor. When this happens the clip acts just like a warning tabs, scraping the rotor and making a squeal.
This is why I asked if the pads were ever replaced. With the mileage, worn out pads were the most likely scenario.
Mike

[LizWiz]

Hi Mike,

Just wanted to update you about our 2002 Highlander with the right front noise issue. We replaced the brake pads today with new OEM and the problem is solved. The job was easy and the pads were reasonably priced.

Thanks for the help!