Loud squealing noise when driving!

[j.wall88 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close j.wall88]

hi everyone,

I recently bought a 2004 GXL and have noticed a very loud 'squealing' noise when driving. It happens randomly at low speeds and high speeds, cold or hot. It sounds very similar to noisy brakes, however occurs when I am driving normally (not braking). I took it to Toyota last week and asked them to check all the bearings which they did and said were fine. They also took the car for a drive but were unable to hear the noise. I made a short video of the noise today, any help figuring out what this is would be hugely appreciated!

https://youtu.be/0_M3iacxP6E

[nanbar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close nanbar]

Brake pad wear indicators

[j.wall88 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close j.wall88]

hey Nanbar thanks for your reply, so you think that's all it is? Are the wear indicators designed to make that noise during normal driving (as opposed to when you are actually braking)? Sorry I don't really know too much about this issue, but if all I need is new brake pads I will be pretty happy!

[Guest Close Guest]

Remove the wheels and inspect the brakes for thickness or foreign matter.

[j.wall88 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close j.wall88]

thanks for your help much appreciated

[nanbar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close nanbar]

hey Nanbar thanks for your reply, so you think that's all it is? Are the wear indicators designed to make that noise during normal driving (as opposed to when you are actually braking)? Sorry I don't really know too much about this issue, but if all I need is new brake pads I will be pretty happy!

Thats what the noise sounds like to me, strange the mechanics didnt pick it up if it is. As others have suggested, check all the brake pads. If youre not confident doing it yourself, take it to a brake place.

[Hogey66 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hogey66]

Just sorted out a similar problem with my 2004 Prado. Very random while driving, nearly always with very light pressure and only on the front. Found plenty of pad left and rotors in good condition, no foreign matter in there and spring clip in place however there was a little rust/mud etc on the pins that hold the pads in place and also on the ends of the pads which I suspect was preventing the pads from withdrawing fully when brakes released. Cleaned it all up, reassembled and no more noise. Wife is now happy again!

[4thsurf Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 4thsurf]

most of the time when a pad change is done the 'anti squeal shims' get left out as either peeps are to lazy to refit them as it's 'too hard' or in higher mileage cars there isn't much left of them. Now here's the first thing that I did last week when "Playdough" came home. Up on the hoist Friday after work (hadn't even owned her for 24 hours) and off came all the brakes. On the front went some nice slotted and dimpled RDA front rotors and rears replaced with stock RDA rotors. Pads replaced with RDA extreme all round. Why? Coz I can and no need to worry about it later. Also the RDA pads come fitted with the shims