2003 Corola (Brake Question)

I have a 03 Corola LE with 54K miles. Never a problem. However,
recently, my front left brake, periodically, makes a very slight, high
pitched squeek---that almost sounds like a record needle going across a
record. The noise is not loud, and doesn't sound like a bad rubbing, but,
who knows. After some normal driving, the sound goes away...then, comes
back. Of course, the noise stops when the car is stopped (so, it's not
coming from under the hood). Brakes do NOT squeek when I step on the
brakes.

Any ideas/suggestions.

Thanks, John

"John-USN" <mcgriffjt (AT) verizon (DOT) net.nospam> wrote

I have a 03 Corola LE with 54K miles. Never a problem. However,
recently, my front left brake, periodically, makes a very slight, high
pitched squeek---that almost sounds like a record needle going across a
record. The noise is not loud, and doesn't sound like a bad rubbing, but,
who knows. After some normal driving, the sound goes away...then, comes
back. Of course, the noise stops when the car is stopped (so, it's not
coming from under the hood). Brakes do NOT squeek when I step on the
brakes.

Any ideas/suggestions.

Thanks, John

You should have the brakes checked for wear. Given the miles on the car,

the most likely source of the noise is the wear indicator on the brake pad.
The wear indicator is basically a thin piece of metal touches the brake
rotor if the pad wears past a certain point, like 1 mm thick. The noise is
meant to get people to have their brakes checked.

If you have caught the noise early, you should be able to get away with just
brake pad replacement and a caliper slide lubrication.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Thanks Ray......I'll do that.

John

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote

"John-USN" <mcgriffjt (AT) verizon (DOT) net.nospam> wrote in message
news:AmRXh.2139$Wa.2131 (AT) trnddc08 (DOT) ..
I have a 03 Corola LE with 54K miles. Never a problem. However,
recently, my front left brake, periodically, makes a very slight, high
pitched squeek---that almost sounds like a record needle going across a
record. The noise is not loud, and doesn't sound like a bad rubbing,
but, who knows. After some normal driving, the sound goes away...then,
comes back. Of course, the noise stops when the car is stopped (so, it's
not coming from under the hood). Brakes do NOT squeek when I step on the
brakes.

Any ideas/suggestions.

Thanks, John

You should have the brakes checked for wear. Given the miles on the car,
the most likely source of the noise is the wear indicator on the brake
pad. The wear indicator is basically a thin piece of metal touches the
brake rotor if the pad wears past a certain point, like 1 mm thick. The
noise is meant to get people to have their brakes checked.

If you have caught the noise early, you should be able to get away with
just brake pad replacement and a caliper slide lubrication.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 23:49:26 GMT, "John-USN"
<mcgriffjt (AT) verizon (DOT) net.nospam> wrote:

Thanks Ray......I'll do that.

John

I would guess from your name that you are in the Navy.

Thanks for your service to our country.

god speed......




--

Scott in Florida

"John-USN" <mcgriffjt (AT) verizon (DOT) net.nospam> wrote

Thanks Ray......I'll do that.

John

You are very welcome!

If you have a jack and jack stands and want to do the check or brake pad
replacement yourself, let us know and we'll help you along.


--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Scott, you are correct...Active Duty Navy---Thanks for your comments.

Ray....My neighbor has jack-stands, so, I might just take you up on
that....I'll let you know.

Thanks, John

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote

"John-USN" <mcgriffjt (AT) verizon (DOT) net.nospam> wrote in message
news:aORXh.2146$Wa.265 (AT) trnddc08 (DOT) ..
Thanks Ray......I'll do that.

John



You are very welcome!

If you have a jack and jack stands and want to do the check or brake pad
replacement yourself, let us know and we'll help you along.


--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"John-USN" <mcgriffjt (AT) verizon (DOT) net.nospam> wrote

I have a 03 Corola LE with 54K miles. Never a problem. However,
recently, my front left brake, periodically, makes a very slight, high
pitched squeek---that almost sounds like a record needle going across a
record.

The disc brake pads have a small metal tab that extends from the backing
plate over the brake pad material, when the material wears down the tab
makes a scraping sound.

You need new front brakes. Do not pass Go, get new brakes.

Put the front end on the jack stands and take the tires off -- the rednecks
call them tahrs -- and then you can see the edge of the brake pads through
an access hole in the caliper.

HINT
Loosen the lug nuts on the tires before putting the car onto the jack
stands.





"John-USN" <mcgriffjt (AT) verizon (DOT) net.nospam> wrote

Scott, you are correct...Active Duty Navy---Thanks for your comments.

Ray....My neighbor has jack-stands, so, I might just take you up on
that....I'll let you know.

Thanks, John

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:e87fa$462ff105$44a4a10d$26121 (AT) msgid (DOT) meganewsservers.com...

"John-USN" <mcgriffjt (AT) verizon (DOT) net.nospam> wrote in message
news:aORXh.2146$Wa.265 (AT) trnddc08 (DOT) ..
Thanks Ray......I'll do that.

John



You are very welcome!

If you have a jack and jack stands and want to do the check or brake pad
replacement yourself, let us know and we'll help you along.


--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"John-USN" <mcgriffjt (AT) verizon (DOT) net.nospam> wrote

Scott, you are correct...Active Duty Navy---Thanks for your comments.

Ray....My neighbor has jack-stands, so, I might just take you up on
that....I'll let you know.

Thanks, John

You're welcome!

Jeff Strickland provided advice on how to check pad wear. The brake linings
should be at least 2 mm (2/32") thick and worn evenly. If one pad is worn
unevenly or more than the other pads then they should be replaced.

If you decide to tackle pad replacement yourself, I recommend using genuine
Toyota pads because they are easier to fit, and get a small container of
either wheel bearing grease, Permatex Anti-Seize (silver color), or brake
caliper grease, whichever is least expensive.

You will need a flat bladed screwdriver, a metric socket set (I think a 14
mm socket will do the trick), and some fine sandpaper or a toothbrush-size
wire brush.

The first time you replace brake pads, the job will probably take about an
hour per side, once you get the hang of it, you can replace both front brake
pads in under an hour. Even if you pay full retail for the genuine Toyota
brake pads, you can do the job for a lot less than any discount chain.

Since you are on active duty, if you are in the Chicago area, I'd provide
hands-on lessons on brake pad replacement - all you would need are the pads.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)