Squeaking Sound & Brake Questions

[03LX]

Hi, I came across with this site when I was looking for help to change the cabin filters on my 03 LX. The instruction provided here was great. Thanks for 'tabraha' on this site.

The only thing was I should have read more on this forum earlier as I had just picked up a pair of the OEM filters at a dealer for about CAD$99 plus taxes. What a sucker I was?

Anyways, I now have another few questions:

1) I notice there is some squeaking noise when the vehicle is moving slowly in 'Reverse'. I think I also hear something but not as apparent when I am in 'Drive'. What do you think the problem is? Does it sound like this is a brake problem?

2) The parking brake is very loose too. Would it be possible that the parking brake is stuck?

3) I will have a chance to use a hoist at a local college tomorrow night. What are the things I should be looking at to diagnose the above issue?

4) What are the minimum thicknesses for the front and rear OEM brake discs?

5) How can I adjust the parking brake tension?

I am not an experienced DIY'er at all on this vehicle. Any details and pictures will defintely be appreciated. Thank you for all your help in advance.

 

[100 TD]

Hi, I came across with this site when I was looking for help to change the cabin filters on my 03 LX. The instruction provided here was great. Thanks for 'tabraha' on this site.

The only thing was I should have read more on this forum earlier as I had just picked up a pair of the OEM filters at a dealer for about CAD$99 plus taxes. What a sucker I was?

Anyways, I now have another few questions:

1) I notice there is some squeaking noise when the vehicle is moving slowly in 'Reverse'. I think I also hear something but not as apparent when I am in 'Drive'. What do you think the problem is? Does it sound like this is a brake problem?

2) The parking brake is very loose too. Would it be possible that the parking brake is stuck?

3) I will have a chance to use a hoist at a local college tomorrow night. What are the things I should be looking at to diagnose the above issue?

4) What are the minimum thicknesses for the front and rear OEM brake discs?

5) How can I adjust the parking brake tension?

I am not an experienced DIY'er at all on this vehicle. Any details and pictures will defintely be appreciated. Thank you for all your help in advance.

OEM spares are available from CruiserDan on this forum at the right price, I think SinCity also, check the vendors section.
1. It could be worn brake pads, the fronts at least have metal wear indicators that scrape to let you know they are worn. Check the thickness of the pads.
Squeaks in reverse can also be dry universals, grease them while your under it.
2. Adjust parking brake by the FSM, adjust shoes first, then bell crank, then cables, then lever (I think, check FSM) (FSM, Factory service manual is available for free down loaad from pdftown.com IIRC.)
3. See above.
4. See FSM
5. See above

 

[Ryan818]

I have an '06 that has the brake squeak. It happened before and it was the e-brake. Something broke and it stuck on. Took it to the dealer since I have the 100k warranty. It happened again so I took a look and found the right rear e-brake caliper was stuck on and the linkage was loose. I am taking it in again today.

 

[03LX]

Thanks 100 TD and Ryan818 for the good info. I finally had the chance to use a hoist and did the brake work.

The squeaking noise turned out to be caused by some seized caliper floating pins on the rear brakes. One of the 2 floating pins was seized on the driver side. This had also caused one of the brake pads wearing very unevenly.

Both of the 2 floating pins on the passenger side were seized too. However, this did not cause uneven wear on the pads.

The shim kits, floating pins, rubber shields, and brake pads had been replaced and now the squeaking is gone.

I am very disappointed with the dealer as the result. I had no one else servicing my car except this dealer until late last year when I started learning how to fix my own cars. How can the pins went totally dry without notice??? The same dealer had been servicing my LX for the last few years.

TD 100 -- I went onto pdftown.com and could not find the factory service manual for free. Everyone wants money. Would you be kind enough to post the exact link for the free manual? Much appreciated.

 

[Skolfoppa]

I am very disappointed with the dealer as the result. I had no one else servicing my car except this dealer until late last year when I started learning how to fix my own cars. How can the pins went totally dry without notice??? The same dealer had been servicing my LX for the last few years.

I feel your pain. When I bought my 100 I was able to get a stack of work orders from the dealer detailing everything that had been done to the truck through 96k miles. When I decided to upgrade my pads I found all front caliper pins were seized . Two had to be cut out . I was going to call the service manager but decided it wouldn't change anything. Thank you dealership!

Skol.

Download PDF Toyota Land Cruiser 1998 - 2007 Service Manual | PDFTown.com

 

[03LX]

I feel your pain. When I bought my 100 I was able to get a stack of work orders from the dealer detailing everything that had been done to the truck through 96k miles. When I decided to upgrade my pads I found all front caliper pins were seized . Two had to be cut out . I was going to call the service manager but decided it wouldn't change anything. Thank you dealership!************

Skol.

Download PDF Toyota Land Cruiser 1998 - 2007 Service Manual | PDFTown.com

Thank you so much for the link. It will definitely be handy for future work.

Talking about the dealer: I didn't mention in my previous posts regarding my experience with the front brake pad replacement late last year. I thought I wouldn't want to bore everyone out. Now since you brought that up again. Here we go: because of my front brake experience, I am now trying to do more maintenance work on my own whenever possible. Frankly, I can first save some money and secondly, I can be sure that things are actually performed as expected. I am not a mechanic. However, I am an engineer by trade with some common sense.

Before we get to the brakes, it took three big guys with a huge hammer to get the wheels off. Again the vehicle was always maintained by no one else except this dealer in the past few years. Did anyone actually rotate the tires in the past or service my brakes? Do they know there is something call anti-seize?

Now the front brakes. At least two of the pins were seized (I can't remember exactly how many). We tired hammering them, heating them, etc and the pins simply wouldn't move. At the end we had to drill them out.

The pads were so thin. They were almost totally worn out and would soon be scratching the discs. I was extremely disappointed. Like you I didn't bother to complain to the service manager and waste more of time. I simply will avoid this dealer. If I really need to service my LX again at a dealer, I will just simply go to another dealer. Unfortunately, this one that did all the work on my LX is within walking distance from my work. Sorry for all of these complaints being a new member on this great forum. Cheers.....

 

[NMuzj100]

Unfortunately this is typical of not just dealerships but any hired work.

Time = Money -> Skipped Steps = Higher Wage

At a dealership
- The work once reassembled cannot be easily evaluated by the customer or even a workplace supervisor.
- The chances that the skipped step - Lubing the pins with brake grease - will result in a problem on any given vehicle are low.
- If there is a problem the owner may ignore it
- Even if recognized as a problem the dealership will probably be called to fix it.
- Any complaints will be lumped in with all those from bad customers who want real work for free or lodge unreasonable complaints.
- They may fix it free since it's minor and service was recent or charge for it as a new problem if the connection to past neglected service is not obvious.
- Even if the dealer recognized it as careless work the chances of it coming back to the individual tech are low since that would take effort and the boss would have to have an uncomfortable conversation.
- Chances are the dealership has high turnover especially at the entry level positions and doesn't even work there anymore.

Your best bet is a Indy shop with a reputation to up hold, preferably with an involved owner, or doing more work yourself.