Jboy74

Hey guys , I just spent over an hour searching here and on google trying to find out what is causing my noise but i could not find any post that had the same noise so i figured i would post.

3 or 4 days ago i noticed a noise on my 1999 4runnner 4wd. It sounds almost identical to the wear indicator on the brake pads , you know the light scratching squeeky noise. The noise sounds like its coming from the front passenger side wheel , The noise is there most of the time it keeps the same pitch and sound no matter if the brakes are applied , coasting. Speed has no effect on the noise with the exception that if i drop below 20 or so it will stop all together. I have noticed that sometimes turning will change the noise and make it stop at times. Turning does not make the noise louder or change pitch. The speed at which the noise starts also varies , It usually starts around 20 mph but i have noticed sometimes i have to get up to 40 or so before it starts making the noise. I am actually working and checking things on the truck now =) I do not have alot of time since today is my only day off. If i do not pinpoint and fix it this morning i will have to drive it another week before i can fix it.

Guys i really appreciate any help i can get on this.

spokane.yota.man

so is it the brake pad indicator? you said it sounds like that but didn't mention if you ruled that out or not. it sounds like brake pads to me. even if your brakes don't look that worn, replacing the front pads are probably a good idea. it could be them making noise even if they are not worn out. doing that would also be easier (and cheaper) then some other possibilities, like bearings. that gen 4runner is also known for bad brakes, they are a little too small and seem to wear out a little quicker.

Jboy74

Thanks Spokane.yota.man

I am working on that as we speak, =) The only thing that leads me to think its not the brake pads is the noise does not change when i apply the brakes. I am hoping it is the brake pads if so it will be an easy fix.

spokane.yota.man

i thought that same thing once, on our beater civic it would squeal once in a while but if you hit the brakes the squeal would stop. so that fooled me into thinking it wasn't the brakes. after a few months of that it got to where it would do it quite often and nothing would really stop it. once i got around to looking into it was obvious that is was the indicator, the pads were really worn out. so problem solved. that was the first time ive seen a set of pads wear down completely before i noticed any other brake problems.

Yukon

Could be a rock caught somewhere in the wheel, or something like that, I had a stick caught in my caliper that made a horrid noise.

Jboy74

Thanks guys for the helpful advice , It is the brakes , I am working on changing them now . The nimrod at the garage put them on wrong , It has the pad with double indicators on the left wheel and the one with single indicators on the right wheel when it is supposed to have one of each on each wheel if that makes sense LOL

Jboy74

Thanks Guys , It is fixed =) The mechanic really messed things up. No grease on the caliper bolts , Took forever to break them lose , Pads were mixed up. Just got back from test driving it, Noise is gone , Brakes work great no issues =)