Screeching when breaking?

[Atty]

My '99 Camry seems to have a problem, every time I break I get a screeching noise. Its not my break pads because I've just recently replaced them and that's the only thing I can think of to cause it.

Its rather annoying to be rolling into a parking lot and have it screech and everyone look at me, or just having to hear it while driving, does anyone know what could be the culprit? Any way to fix it? Thanks!

 

[996GT2]

Are the brake rotors warped? Are they rusty/have surface imperfections? Were the pads installed correctly with all clips, springs, lubricants, etc?

Just a few things you might want to get checked out

By the way some brake pads squeak naturally, but those are usually the semi-metallic ones used in higher performance cars, not your Camry.

 

[dug777]

Well, stop breaking

Sometimes your brakes squeal while braking because the pads have hit the wear indicators. Get them checked, as new pads are cheap. New discs are not.

 

[Atty]

I know about the wear indicators but I sincerely doubt that's the problem, I put new brake pads on in march. I'll try what 996GT2 said.

 

[Assimilator1]

Usually when the high pitched squeal happens with new pads its because either the anti-squeal shims/clips haven't been fitted or where they don't have any anyway it's because the contact surfaces between the calliper bracket to pad, calliper to pad & piston to pad haven't been lubed with copper slip (or the back of the pads can have a tacky glue like substance instead).
Warped or rusted discs (rotors) don't usually cause a high pitched squeal (sometimes a swooshing type noise) but they are definitely worth checking as mentioned, which they should of been anyway when new pads were fitted.

Oh another thing to look out for ,though admittedly I've only seen this once ,some cheap pads are fitted with an inadequate anti-squeal material on the pads backplate. If the piston has pushed through this to the backplate & the particular car is prone to brake squeal then it is possible to have the noise with new pads.

Err BTW ,you did mean squeal rather than screeching/grinding right?
Is it the same sort of noise as the wear indicator squeal?

 

[FeuerFrei]

Originally posted by: iAtticus
My '99 Camry seems to have a problem, every time I break I get a screeching noise. Its not my break pads because I've just recently replaced them and that's the only thing I can think of to cause it.

Its rather annoying to be rolling into a parking lot and have it screech and everyone look at me, or just having to hear it while driving, does anyone know what could be the culprit? Any way to fix it? Thanks!

Check to see if you have a baby lodged under your brake pedal. Sometimes they break loose and roll around on the floorboard. They have been known to screech when stomped on.

 

[CU]

Another break squealing question. On rainy days even when my Colorado is not wet, sometimes my brakes squeal and grab for a block or two. Is this rust on the rotors caused by moister in the air? Is it normal? Anyway to prevent it?

OP: Do your brakes grab or ever go back to working normal?

 

[Assimilator1]

Brakes! lol

Have you got drum brakes on the rear by any chance?, drum brakes can be very prone to grabbing due to either/& a very slight rust layer from damp or excessive freeplay (or cheap brake linings) &/or dust build up.

 

[CU]

I have drum brakes.

 

[Assimilator1]

In that case if they haven't been off lately, get them off ,clean the dust out adjust the shoe linkage & clean the shoes (auto adjusters almost never work properly) & if neccassary clean off any rust on the inside of the drums. That should sort out your brakes as long as the shoes haven't been contaminated.....

 

[Bignate603]

I've got a 99 camry and it tends to make a little bit of brake noise from the rear the first time or two I brake after starting if it's been wet out. I assume it's just a bit of corrosion or something in the drum because it goes away as soon as I've stopped a time or two.

 

[Assimilator1]

If it's a faint grinding/rumbling noise, then most likely yes.

 

[dud]

Get your rotors/drums resurfaced ... the grooves machined into them have worn away.

 

[w00t]

new rotors sound like a good idea

make sure if you do it yourself you use some brake cleaner or carb cleaner to properly clean the rotors as they tend to have an oily packing surface to reserve them.

you can also get some stuff to apply to the brake pads/shim to quiet down the noise

 

[CU]

My truck only has about 30K on it. Does it need new rotors or to have them resurfaced?

 

[Assimilator1]

Depends how worn they are, weren't you talking about your drum brakes though?

dud
Who are you replying to? , Bignate603 doesn't need his drums resurfacing just for a little rust from damp.
Drums don't have grooves machined into them (that I've ever seen in 20yrs), & whilst some 'very high performance' brakes do (usually high end sports cars etc) most cars don't have them.
Or are you refering to the machining marks? ,if so their just a result of the relatively low finishing needs & make no difference to brake squeal.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: dud
Get your rotors/drums resurfaced ... the grooves machined into them have worn away.

I'm pretty sure that the stock rotors on a camry aren't grooved. Also, I don't think that resurfacing usually regrooves hi performance rotors, they usually just smooth the surface.

 

[dud]

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: dud
Get your rotors/drums resurfaced ... the grooves machined into them have worn away.

I'm pretty sure that the stock rotors on a camry aren't grooved. Also, I don't think that resurfacing usually regrooves hi performance rotors, they usually just smooth the surface.

Every brake rotor or drum that I have ever seen have been "grooved". During the manufacturing process the rotor/drum is put on a brake lathe to machine the braking surfaces. After a number of miles/years the friction/wear from the pads tends to "polish" out the braking surfaces. When you get them resurfaced they go through a similar process, if the still meet specs (thickness). If you look closely ar the machined surface you will see the "grooves" on the rotor/drum from the lather cutting tool.

Grooves = resurfaced

If you are low on money of cheap ry to get them resurfaced. If they are out-of-spec then replace them.

 

[Bignate603]

I don't think those grooves matter. Usually you resurface to get rid of any surface issues (slight warping or scratches) and the grooves are just tooling marks. Anyways, screeching won't be caused by those groves being gone.

 

[CU]

Originally posted by: Assimilator1
Depends how worn they are, weren't you talking about your drum brakes though?

Yeah drums. I was just to sleepy I guess and typed rotors.

 

[Assimilator1]

I highly doubt that your drums would need resurfacing at that relatively low mileage (as long as the shoes etc are ok).

Err ,just a minute ,you said 'truck'? I thought you meant a VW Colorado? ,have I got totally the wrong car?? lol

Originally posted by: Bignate603
I don't think those grooves matter. Usually you resurface to get rid of any surface issues (slight warping or scratches) and the grooves are just tooling marks. Anyways, screeching won't be caused by those groves being gone.

Yes that's dead right :thumbsup:.

Dud
Those are just machining marks ,yes they do wear out after a very short while, this is the period of the brakes 'bedding in' ,brake performance improves once the 2 surfaces are 'polished' to each other ,bit like lapping your CPU & HSF for better contact .
Machining marks have no real impact on brake noise.

 

[CU]

No, it is an 05 Chevrolet Colorado Reg. Cab Xtreme. I really just think alittle bit of rust forms on them when there is alot of moisture in the air, which causes them to screech and grab the first few times I brake. Just wondering if it was normal or could I prevent it somehow?

 

[Assimilator1]

Well it is moderatly common but you maybe be able to mostly cure it.

Quoting myself earlier
drum brakes can be very prone to grabbing due to either/& a very slight rust layer from damp or excessive freeplay (or cheap brake linings) &/or dust build up.

Have you tried cleaning (sanding) them & adjusting the shoe linkage? (not handbrake cable). If not that's the 1st thing to do.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: CU
No, it is an 05 Chevrolet Colorado Reg. Cab Xtreme. I really just think alittle bit of rust forms on them when there is alot of moisture in the air, which causes them to screech and grab the first few times I brake. Just wondering if it was normal or could I prevent it somehow?

My 93 taurus did that. I just lived with it