Horrible squealing from front wheels of Prado

Submitted: Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 15:19

ThreadID: 88754 Views:7532 Replies:6 FollowUps:5

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Member - Des

Twice in the last week I have had horrible metallic squealing noises starting abruptly from BOTH front wheels simultaneously. Each time I was driving on a gravel road with the centre diff unlocked. Each time I stopped and had a look - could see nothing obviously wrong (no stick or stone or anything, nothing leaking). No warning lights on dash. I pumped the brakes in case the calipers were grabbing (brake pedal felt normal), but it kept doing it when I moved off again. The wheels would turn, but the noise was loud. I turned off the engine, restarted and moved off - kept doing it. Then I reversed a bit, but it kept doing it. Then I turned off the engine, restarted, reversed again, and it suddenly went away. Drove each time for an hour or more afterwards (gravel and bitumen) without a hint of a problem.

The car is a 95 series VX 2000 model Prado, which has ABS and traction control. The fact that it was both front wheels simultaneously makes me wonder whether the TC was trying to brake the wheels? If so, where would the problem lie?

Any suggestions?

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Reply By: Member - David Will (VIC) - Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 15:26

Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 15:26

Hi Des,

It sounds like you picked up some stones or small rocks in between brake disk and cover. They do not have to be very big to hide from you, l have had it happen a few times, always reverse and then gone.

Hope this helps

David

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

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AnswerID: 463799

Follow Up By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 15:54

Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 15:54

Yes, I've had it happen a couple of times....... pebble between the disc and shield.
Made a dreadful squeal and could not be dislodged by reversing. Had to lever the shield away to let them drop out.
Can also be difficult to localise the sound. Could easily be coming from only one wheel but sounding as though from both.

Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - Des - Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 16:32

Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 16:32

Thanks guys. I have had the odd stick or stone in the brakes in the past and it does make an awful noise. But on these occasions the noise was definitely coming from both front wheels - my partner got out and listened on each side while I rolled forward slowly.
Cheers,
Des

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Follow Up By: Fab72 - Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 17:00

Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 17:00

Des,
My thoughts are still possibly stones, sand or fine gravel. Sparing that, it may be the little tabs on the pad shims (usually when the pads are getting thin).

The TC will pulsate rather than make any noise that even remotely resembles a squeak/squeal.

There are other possibilities too, like rubber dust seals dragging on the back of the hub, even - believe it or not, the tyres on the rim.

It's hard to diagnose over the net without hearing the noise, but my suggestion is check the obvious things and then, if it happens again, jack up the front wheel from under the suspension to maintain load on all the parts and rotate the wheel by hand.

Fab.

FollowupID: 737670

Reply By: snoopyone - Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 17:07

Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 17:07

Might be the telltales telling you the pads are stuffed

AnswerID: 463807

Follow Up By: wjh41 - Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 19:31

Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 19:31

Des,I agree with snoopyone,take the wheels off and take the pads out and check the wear indicaters.Its an early warning that the pads are worn out.
Wally

FollowupID: 737684

Reply By: deserter - Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 17:18

Monday, Aug 29, 2011 at 17:18

Traction control sound bloody awful when its active on a steep slope. I reckon its related to that.

AnswerID: 463808

Reply By: Member - Bucky - Tuesday, Aug 30, 2011 at 06:58

Tuesday, Aug 30, 2011 at 06:58

Des
3 things come to mind

1.......Pebble caught between pads, remove and inspect, sand paper them, and put back

2.......That squeel is wear indicator, time to replace all disc pads

3.......Disc pads are glazzed up, remove them rough up on fine sand paper, put back and try

Cheers Bucky

AnswerID: 463837

Reply By: Ray - Tuesday, Aug 30, 2011 at 08:52

Tuesday, Aug 30, 2011 at 08:52

I had a instance of screeching sound fro the front of my L'cruiser. I changed the brake pads but still the screeching sound. I had the rotors machined and no trouble since. So check your rotors.

AnswerID: 463843