Brake Noise on Corolla

[asndragonboii]

My 05 Corolla makes this weird noise when braking, almost at a complete stop. It sounds like "eee eee eee eee". High pitched, like a squeaky wheel barrow wheel. It's really low in volume, the radio has to be off, fan on low, windows up to really hear it (no wind noise). It happens all the time, no specific weather. It sounds like it's coming from the right front wheel.

Less than 30k miles. About 50/50 city/highway.

I dont think it needs new brakes already. Anybody know whats up? I'm going to inspect it soon but it's raining now.

It doesnt sound like the "low brake pad" squeak warning which should be alot louder and more constant "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE", than "eee eee eee eee"

[Ass Turtle]

warped rotors?


Edit: i have no clue

[BigT]

What the heck, this is a Civic site. Get out of here with your Corolla.

Just kidding man.

It still could be low pads. If there is a bit of rust on the edge of the rotor, or the rotor isn't perfectly smooth it can cause the wear indicator to only hit in certain spots when it's just starting to get close. I have seen it happen more than once.

Does it have drum brakes in the rear? Rear drum brakes can often make noises like this because of all the moving parts inside which can shift slightly back and forth from a drum that is slightly out of round. Usually they just need cleaned and lubricated on the backing plate. I know you said the sound seems to be coming from the front, but it is just a suggestion (sound can travel in unusual ways sometimes).

It could even simply be rust building up on the very outside edge of the rotors where the pads don't quite hit. I have seen this build up enough to hit the wear indicator and make noise even when the pads were ok.

Could be something as simple as dirty or glazed pads. It is impossible to tell for sure until you take a look. Good luck. Just be sure not to rule out the rear brakes if the fronts look good. I have had to walk, hunched over, beside a car while someone else drove it slowly to tell whether a noise was coming from the front or back.

[boltuprite]

Maybe it's a cop car Corolla.

[Johannes]

^^^haahah

[47midgets]

My GF has the same car with about the same mileage, and the same problem, so it's not just you.

[thatsnotstock]

its the metal pins on the side of the pads, they squeal when the pads wear down to em so you know that you're due for a replacement.

[pks17]

Wow, it seems like 80% of corolla owners dont believe in preventive maintenance.
Civic guys however seem to maintain their cars like it was a bentley.

[stealth]

It's the brakes. You need new pads. Hurry up before you warp or damage the rotors to avoid having to pay for resurfacing

[Kidekat]

You should still have it resurfaced, or at bare minimum take a fine grit sand paper to the rotor to smooth out the surface.

The light squeel you are hearing s the indicator pin being dragged on the rotor surface as a result from the brake pads being low. Do not let the pads run so low that the rivets start showing through. That is a sure way to damage the rotor.