Hey guys, I have a 1991 4runner v6 4x4, and I started to notice the brakes were squeeking. I checked the pads and they looked like they should be fine for a little while longer. But now the squeeking is worse, sometimes I get it while accelerating, sometimes from braking, sometimes both, sometimes none at all. I also noticed it goes with the speed of the wheel, not the engine. Its really annoying, I was wondering if you guys had any ideas. My truck has manual hubs and just out of curiousity I checked for the noise with them locked and unlocked, both ways made noise. Thanks guys.
-Kyle

 

disconnect the speedometer cable and see what happens

 

they have bult in brake pad indicators, which is relaly just a piece of metal that scrapes against the rotor thus causing an "Im worn, replace me" squeal. They are designed to do that way before the brakes are toast, so thats prolly why you think the brakes are ok.

 

what does the speedo cable have to do with the front brakes/front wheel??!!

 

I'm aware of brake wear indicators, but would they squeek even when the brakes are applied?

 

yea they would squeak when the breakes are applied. Its contacting the rotor when the brakes are not applied, so moving the pads closer to the rotor would make it squeal just the same.

 

maybe he is wrong about the location of the noise. if the speedo cable is worn, it will squeek. and it sounds simalar to the sound he is describing.

 

Does the sound modulate as you increase speed (IE, change pitch)? If its a constant high-pitch, then most likely a brake issue. The last time your brakes were done (by you or a shop) were the rotors turned properly?

If its modulating, possibly a wheel bearing... when was the last time you inspected your hubs?

 

Ok, I'll have to check it out, is it normal for the noise to come and go?

 

The sound doesn't modulate, but it does squeek faster as I increase speed. Looks like going to have to do a brake job after all.

 

If memory serves, they squeek only when brake is applied. Not sure as I depend on visual inspection once a year.

Other thing could be wheel bearings or even u-joints, as it is very difficult to really be sure a sound "coming from the front" is really coming from the front. I know this from experience which I shall spare you.

 

Normally the brake pad squealer does so when brakes are applied, unless the pads are dragging due to sticking caliper, rods bent through pads. I've heard the squeal come and go under that condition.

Visual inspection is best way to tell on pads. If squealer is even with pad material, then replace. If not, squeal coming from something else.

 

so you figure it out?

 

not yet, I'm gonna pull the wheels off this saturday and take a look at it.

 

Yeah it ended up being the brake pads, I check them again and they were low.