I know there are a lot of threads on this subject and I have skimmed through a bunch of them, but didn't find a solution. I may have missed it. Thanks for reading.

2006 4Runner Sport 2WD, V6

This was originaly my DD, but I gave it to my daughter when she started driving. It has a recurring brake squeal when applying light to moderate (normal) brake pressure. It's worse when cold, gets a little less noticeable when the brakes warm up but never goes away and is still pretty loud even when the brakes are warm. I have not been able to determine where the noise is coming from (front, rear, left, right).

I replaced the pads and rotors before I handed the keys to my daughter. I installed Akebono pads and Raybestos rotors at all 4 corners. I followed Akebono instructions and applied disk brake quiet on the back of the pads. At this point I omitted the Toyota anti-squeal shims because the Akebono pads had shims already. The brakes were perfectly quiet for the first 4-6 weeks but then started squealing as described above.

At that time I figured the brakes were making noise because I didn't install the Toyota style anti-squeal shims. I purchased new Toyota shims directly from Toyota for the front and rear. Took everything apart, cleaned off the disk brake quiet compound, and followed the Toyota recommended procedure for installing the Toyota shims with liberal amounts of caliper grease. Put everythign back together and the brakes were perfectly quiet again for several months. But now the squeal is back, the same as before.

The pads and rotors appear to be wearing nicely, smooth and evenly. The brakes feel and work great. So why do they squeal?

bump.

What kind of Akebono pads are you running (regular or high performance)? Sounds like my situation. Have tried brake quiet and shims and still have a squeal.

Berty_K - I'm running just stock replacement Akebono pads at all 4 corners. Very puzzled by the issue. It was gone for a while after I installed the shims, but came back. Temperature doesn't seem to make a difference.

I have a Highlander that I can't solve the squeal on left rear. Had it apart several times and it still does it. Weird!