Hello all,

My brakes have been squeaking for a couple months, and I didn't think it was my front pads since I just replaced them a couple years ago. So I took my 4R to a shop to do the rear drums (also had an axle seal leak), still squealing. So I went to replace the front pads (Akibonos) and was surprised to see my old pads still had probably half their life left. Whatever, I just replaced them anyway.

However, I still have a break squeal coming to a stop. Didn't replace or resurface my rotors or anything. So my question is, what else could be squealing? Nothing looked damaged or like it was rubbing when I swapped my front pads, so I'm kinda stumped for now.

It actually could just be the brake pads themselves. Are the calipers free the pistons moving freely? Brake pads can slide freely? As these other things can be causing issues too. Are you feeling any heat from the front brakes after a drive? These can also cause a squeal.

I had a set of pads squealing only when I backed up. Upon investigation, I found a piston on the caliper was seized. Causing this entire issue. So might be worth going over the calipers with a fine tooth comb and check everything out.

Also maybe best to be sure the 2 springs are in place. One will keep the pads from chattering. The other clips over the 2 pins to hold tension on them. As these are just some thoughts as to why your breaks maybe squeling on you. :-)

Slightly bent rockshield maybe? (though that would make noise all the time not just braking). Sometimes a good high pressure air blowout helps get lodged debris that maybe causing noise helps.

Pistons not seized, didn't have any trouble backing them out to get the new pads in. I did grease the pads so they should be able to slide freely too. I haven't checked for heat after a drive, wouldn't they be hot pretty much any time you drive? Springs/retainers are all in place and everything was looking good yesterday. I guess I'll bust out my fine tooth comb to check again tonight. Thanks!

I agree that the rockshield should squeal all the time if that was the case, but I'll give it a peek this evening. I'll use some more brake cleaner then blast it with air and see if that does anything. Thanks for the suggestions!

Sounds like you got a glaze on your pads. Did you do a good burn in when you installed them?

Yes, I did. I'll do it again on my way home today

It might just be the pads. OEM pads come with a 2-Piece Anti-Squeal shim set-up. I've never had OEM pads and shims squeal. Parts are listed in the video description.