Vague question about my brakes...

[bigdonniebrasco]

I know this is an unfare question with what little info I have for you but I figure it's worth a shot
I have a 99 Limited 4x4.

When I'm rolling down the street (or backing up) and I apply the brakes with normal gentle pressure, I hear a metallic "TINK"... like a spoon clanking the back of a metal pie pan.

The noice happens just the once and my truck stops with zero issues or vibration.

Before I start pulling wheels I figured I'd pick the collective 3rd gen brains.

I have no real mechanical skills but I have replaced my plugs and wires and sway bar end links.

Thanks for ANY input, ideas or guesses!

 

[Tucson4runner]

I know this is an unfare question with what little info I have for you but I figure it's worth a shot
I have a 99 Limited 4x4.

When I'm rolling down the street (or backing up) and I apply the brakes with normal gentle pressure, I hear a metallic "TINK"... like a spoon clanking the back of a metal pie pan.

The noice happens just the once and my truck stops with zero issues or vibration.

Before I start pulling wheels I figured I'd pick the collective 3rd gen brains.

I have no real mechanical skills but I have replaced my plugs and wires and sway bar end links.

Thanks for ANY input, ideas or guesses!

Maybe a lose pad? Not lose enough to cause vibration but lose enough to hit the rotor just a bit before the rest. If you don't want to pay someone to diagnose then take your pads off and have a look. Check and make sure the rotors are nice and smooth and that the pads still have life and aren't breaking apart. That is unless you hear the noise from the back.

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[4racer]

Could be your rear brakes adjuster just adjusting. I believe that it one of the ways to get them to adjust.

 

[bigdonniebrasco]

It actually sounds like it could be coming from the back.

Maybe a lose pad? Not lose
enough to cause vibration but lose enough to hit the rotor just a bit before the rest. If you don't want to pay someone to diagnose then take your pads off and have a look. Check and make sure the rotors are nice and smooth and that the pads still have life and aren't breaking apart. That is unless you hear the noise from the back.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[HiLife]

When you crawl under your truck I would be looking at the rear brake, rear shock bushings and rear sway bar bushings for starters.

 

[Rock_Rat]

If you think it's the rear brakes, pull the wheels off and take the drums off. Take a look around for anything unusual. Drums should be snug around the pads and clean without any grooves. Shouldn't be any grease any where. All springs and adjuster should fit snuggly.

Do a hands on check of the axle bearings. A little up and down and push and pull. See if you have any play. Do a visual of all components underneath such as worn bushings, busted link etc.... If still no signs of the noise...

...bring it to a shop and have them run it up on a lift. Run it and shift it in reverse and back to drive a few times and hit the brakes and see what you can hear back there. It should help you narrow it down. Might cost you 100 for the diagnostics but sometimes it's worth it. At least you won't be tearing stuff apart you don't need to.

 

[jgue467]

It actually sounds like it could be coming from the back.

They'll finish adjusting if you go about 5mph in reverse and come to a quick almost abrupt stop. :cowboy:

 

[WallyWest]

Could be your rear brakes adjuster just adjusting. I believe that it one of the ways to get them to adjust.

On most cars yes, but the 4Runner's rear brakes only adjust when you use the parking brake.

If the noise is coming from the back it could be any number of things in there. Just have to pull the drums and see what's going on. Make sure everything is installed correctly, adjusted out properly, that sort of thing.

 

[thegipper]

Check the sway bar end links also (front and back), one or more could be broke. Physically grab them and pull on them and see if they are broke.

 

[Rock_Rat]

On most cars yes, but the 4Runner's rear brakes only adjust when you use the parking brake.

If the noise is coming from the back it could be any number of things in there. Just have to pull the drums and see what's going on. Make sure everything is installed correctly, adjusted out properly, that sort of thing.

The self adjuster is actuated every time you step on the brakes.

 

[WallyWest]

The self adjuster is actuated every time you step on the brakes.

That's not what I've read in various brake threads.

And after taking apart the brakes, the adjuster is attached to the parking brake mechanism. The manual states the way to auto adjust is to work the parking brake up and down until it tightens up.

 

[bigdonniebrasco]

This is interesting, and I will absolutely get to the bottom of this and report back... BUT....


I often boast that EVERYTHING on this truck works perfectly!

HOWEVER...

The one thing that does not work.... the parking brake! The handle feels "frozen".

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[turbo8]

I would grease your drive shafts.

For the parking brake not working, take a look at the bell cranks, they can get rusted\frozen in place.

 

[4racer]

On most cars yes, but the 4Runner's rear brakes only adjust when you use the parking brake.

If the noise is coming from the back it could be any number of things in there. Just have to pull the drums and see what's going on. Make sure everything is installed correctly, adjusted out properly, that sort of thing.

I honestly go more adjustment out of my brakes by going in reverse at 10mph and slamming on my brakes. I tired the e-brake thing multiple times and it never fully worked.

 

[nevada]

On most cars yes, but the 4Runner's rear brakes only adjust when you use the parking brake.

If the noise is coming from the back it could be any number of things in there. Just have to pull the drums and see what's going on. Make sure everything is installed correctly, adjusted out properly, that sort of thing.

no, any braking will adjust them.

The self adjuster is actuated every time you step on the brakes.

this.


to the OP, what you described does sound like pad shift. check the front brakes, and make sure all the spring clips are in place. they are known to break.

 

[bigdonniebrasco]

I would SERIOUSLY like to thank you guys! This is the most helpful forum I have ever been a part of! I have yet to encounter any jerks or snarky comments, and I always get great advice and FAST!!

Thanks again!

 

[animator]

It sounds more like the pads grabbing the rotors. The rotors don't fit snugly on the studs, so there's a little play back and forth. I only noticed it on mine with some old OEM rotors. After they came up for replacement, the new ones don't seem to do this.

 

[nevada]

It sounds more like the pads grabbing the rotors. The rotors don't fit snugly on the studs, so there's a little play back and forth. I only noticed it on mine with some old OEM rotors. After they came up for replacement, the new ones don't seem to do this.

if the lug nuts are even remotely tight, not to mention properly torqued, the rotor will not be moving...

 

[animator]

if the lug nuts are even remotely tight, not to mention properly torqued, the rotor will not be moving...

I would have thought so as well, but based on my experience, I have to disagree.


I always use a torque wrench on my lug nuts, and my old OEM rotors always made the noise.

 

[nevada]

I would have thought so as well, but based on my experience, I have to disagree.


I always use a torque wrench on my lug nuts, and my old OEM rotors always made the noise.

perhaps. but it wasn't the rotor knocking against the studs. that cannot happen when the lug nuts are tight.