Mysterious Clicking Noise From Front Breaks

M

MLeggett

New member
My first post here so bear with me.

Several months ago I had the front break pads replaced. Since then I have noticed a clicking noise from what seems to be the front driver's side tire. I had the mechanic check it out. After turning the rotors again the noise persists. The mechanic swears that the rotors are good and can't seem to find any other issue. I notice that when I apply the breaks, the clicking stops. There is no vibration or pulsation in the pedal and the 4R stops fine although not as quickly/crisply as new.

A few details:
2005 T4R Sport Edition, V6, 4WD with approx 79K miles.
Break lines were blead and old fluid replaced.
OEM pads replaced with Oriley Ceramic pads.
Very limited off road use, mainly highway.
 
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Sounds exactly like a problem I had when I first bought my used 4Runner from a Toyota dealer. For me it was because they forgot to put in the brake pad retention spring on each side. If you look at the top where the pads slide in there should be a "V" shaped spring that goes over the top. It stops the brake pads from rattaling around when there is no pressure applied to the brakes. Could be it. Good luck!
 
Mysterious Clicking Noise from front breaks

Thanks for the info.

I took a peek at the break pads through the wheel. It appears that the v-shaped spring is in place on both the passanger and driver's side breaks.

Not sure what to do next. I seem to have read in other posts that not going with OEM pads can be a mistake. Maybe replacing with OEM pads and springs is the answer.

Incidentally. I noticed that the OEM pads were installed with shims. The mechanic stated that the newer pads do not require the original shims as there is not enough space for both the shim and pad. Not sure how big of an issue that is??
 
The brake replacement video Rock put on today shows an anti-squeel shim installed with non OEM pads. Just a thought, that seems like the only difference in the install. Hopefully he compressed the pistons enough when putting in the new pads?
Best regards, Doug
 
Thanks Doug. I watched the video today. Looks pretty straight forward. I think my next move will be to buy OEM pads from a local dealer. My only question is weather to change the rotors as well.
 
Sounds like the rotors have been turned twice. If you have the $$, I would just replace the rotors while I was in there. That said, it was common practice to turn drums and rotors when doing brakes on older cars. Obviously there is a lower spec limit for thickness, but that's when they had allowed for it in the original design. Seems like all the newer cars may be made to replace rather than turn anymore, just a guess. Keep usposted so we know you got it fixed and what the resolution was. Best regards, Doug
 
Ever Solved

Did you every find out what is wrong I am having this same problem on my 2006 4runner. Just after I had front brakes installed at a firestone auto care shop, which I will never do again btw, squealed like crazy after so I took them back, they replaced them free of charge, now this weird noise, just got back today from there today because I had them investigate this noise, and their solution was turn the music up...

About to go check for those V shaped springs maybe they didn't put those back on, can you be more specific about where they are, and are they springs or more of clips?

Thanks for any help!
 
Never found out what was causing the problem. After a few weeks of use the noise is much less frequent and some days I do not hear the clicking at all. I haven't had a chance to change out the pads to OEM as I had originally mentioned. My only guess is that the pads have "broken in" a bit. I realize that this is no solution but until I change out the pads again I won't know for sure.

The springs mentioned in the previous comments are more of a clip. It should be visible through the wheel using a flashlight. Look at the pad/caliper for a v shaped wire. Some of the other threads here have great pics of the entire front break system and wire. There purpose is to help keep the pads from vibrating.

I have kept a pretty close eye on the pads and rotors to check for excessive wear and discoloration due to over heating. So far so good. Let me know if you find out anything on your end.

Best of Luck
Matt
 
It was those clips, went to the dealer and compared mine to a used 2008 SR5 they had on the lot and saw mine was missing the clips. Firestone was nice enough to order and put them in for free, funny enough it was the same technician I showed the clips missing problem to that suggested I just turn up the music.

Glad to hear yours went away and thanks for the help!
 
New brake hardware

It's nothing to worry about. I had the same problem when I reused the old hardware during a brake job (new pads and rotors). I replaced the pad retention springs with new Toyota springs and no more clicking.

Correct, new pads do not come with anti squeal shims. This is a good thing. They often rust or break free from the pad backing plate and rattle around making even more noise. Squealing is a factor of pad compound and/or pad build up on the rotor. Soft pad compounds tend to squeal less (ceramic included), hard compounds (Hawk HPS and HD) end to squeal more. I always have squealing after I go through an automatic car wash as detergent is sprayed on the rotor.
 
The part is called the "brake retainer clip"

i have been getting this problem and know that this part was not present.

They are easy to find and only $11 on ebay for those who have the issue.
 
retainer clip

Most came with only 1 per side , mine were doing same & saw older post about this & the OP just added xtra clip per side . Think got mine from NAPA for 8$ fixed it !!
 
Yep, the clips. When i did my first front brake job on my truck I bought aftermarket pads. They came with the replacement shims and clips. But when I drove around I had clicks and rattles, especially out of the drivers side front. I checked and checked the v clips and reinstalled the pads with no change.

I ended up comparing the new aftermarket v clips to the old ones and they were way, way weaker and lighter weight. I called the dealer and they had what they referred to as a "fit kit" that had all the OEM front brake parts minus the pads. So I replaced the v clip with the OEM version and the rattles, clicks and stuff went away.
 
brake clip

man when I 1st got my 4r ,drove me crazy could hear everytime drove past this wall ,saw thread on it bang , same way heard my driver's side manifold leak ! Next project
 
about to head up to napa and get me some new clips. I just did a brake job last week and started hearing the clicky sound. My GF pointed it out as we were driving with the windows down, i couldn't hear it cause of my bad ears. But when i was in a drive thru the clicks were pretty audible. Hopefully its just the clips and nothing more.
 
MLeggett said:
My first post here so bear with me.

Several months ago I had the front break pads replaced. Since then I have noticed a clicking noise from what seems to be the front driver's side tire. I had the mechanic check it out. After turning the rotors again the noise persists. The mechanic swears that the rotors are good and can't seem to find any other issue. I notice that when I apply the breaks, the clicking stops. There is no vibration or pulsation in the pedal and the 4R stops fine although not as quickly/crisply as new.

A few details:
2005 T4R Sport Edition, V6, 4WD with approx 79K miles.
Break lines were blead and old fluid replaced.
OEM pads replaced with Oriley Ceramic pads.
Very limited off road use, mainly highway.
Click to expand...

Used non oem pads and every bump i hit small or big i heard rattling from the front. went to Toyota and I quote

the metal on metal rattling is the pads something with the non oem pads are bigger if i remember correct and it was the pads shaking slightly against the rotor.

doesnt cause a stopping issue and didnt happen when the brakes were pressed.
 
Last edited:
Original Post Update

The T4R now has 115k miles. I ended up replacing the front rotors with new Napa premium rotors and all is well. No clicking. However, I have noticed that at around 50-70 mph there is a significant pulsation in the steering wheel when breaking. I realize that I'm treading into an entirely new topic here (the dreaded frozen caliper). I've kept a pretty good eye on the front rotors and break pads. Nothing seems unusual (e.g. wear, discoloration). But, the break dust on the driver's front wheel seems a little heavier than usual. Also, the break dust seems to be "splotchy/dotted". My guess is a sticky or frozen caliper piston but I haven't pulled the wheel and pads off to inspect. Any thoughts?
 
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