I have about 36,000 miles on my 4Runner and don't need brakes yet, but they do squeal on the back? I've checked them and they're only 50% worn on the back and 70% on the front. What could be causing this? It seems to happen more when it's cold outside and the brakes are warm mainly coming to a stop after going 45mph(+). If you apply the brakes lightly it will not make the noise usually and if applying a little harder it won't either. I guess it's about 1/2 way down that the brakes begin making the noise. It's not a grinding sound, just a high pitch squeal. What should I do? Install new brakes when I possibly don't need them?
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Thanks for your time.

I had a simmilar problem with my wife's 96 Rav-4. We bought it used, and a few months after we had it, the brakes began to squeel VERY LOUDLY. It was only when we were going a few MPH, right as we were coming to a stop. So bad it was embarrasing to drive. It was the front brakes (rear are drums)

The pads were probably 50-70 remaining. I took the brakes apart, lubed everything up really good with the proper brake lube, and lightly sanded the pads and rotors so the pads would re-seat. That worked great, for a week. Then they started the exact same squeeling. The pads were OEM Toyota. I finally got fed up with it, and bought some $20 pads from the parts store, and that took care of the problem, for good. I lightly sanded the rotors, but did not replace them.

Is your truck still under warranty? If so, I'd go back to the dealer and demand new pads.

Otherwise, replace the pads and lube everything up good, and that should fix your problem.

Thank you. When I bought the vehicle it had 2000 miles on it and was sitting for about 4 months or more. The rotors were warped, so Toyota did shave them at that point and kept the same pads. It was not too long after that when the noise started. I'll probably end up buying new pads and going that route. It's a lot of work to do what you did and have it happen all over again, so I'll replace the pads when I take them apart. It sucks because they're only 50% worn. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again and have a great day.