Diagnosing a brake noise, need help..

[Subie_Nubie]

I have started noticing a sound when applying the brakes to my BRZ. At high speed, I do not note any noise. From 40 MPH, I start to hear a periodic squeak, almost squish kind of noise as I come to a stop. I notice that the sound repeats slower as I come to a stop, which tells me that the noise (rubbing, whatever it may be) varies with speed. I don't think my brakes are warped in any way but who knows. I am running stock calipers, pads on slotted rotors. Suspension was from last owner, from what I can tell they are Bilstein B8's with either OEM springs or eibach lowering springs. I also notice, from this awful road drop I have to drive over every day, that the suspension will give a hard squishy sound in the rear. But, this is after a cold start in the morning and immediately going over this bump. I know this is a lot of information, but please offer advice if you can. I need to know if it is a serious brake problem.

[Toyarzee]

Have you, are are you able to take out the pads and take a look? Post pictures of your pads and rotors if you can so we can help. It may just be time for new pads.

We should be able to tell what springs are on there as well when you have your wheels off. Bushings and suspension parts can make noise on hard and fast impact movements and rebounds, and likely isn't anything to be too terribly concerned about...

[Subie_Nubie]

Originally Posted by Toyarzee

Have you, are are you able to take out the pads and take a look? Post pictures of your pads and rotors if you can so we can help. It may just be time for new pads.

We should be able to tell what springs are on there as well when you have your wheels off. Bushings and suspension parts can make noise on hard and fast impact movements and rebounds, and likely isn't anything to be too terribly concerned about...

I do not have pics at the moment, but maybe I can take a look pretty soon. Will try to get some pics.

[Clott]

Originally Posted by Subie_Nubie

I have started noticing a sound when applying the brakes to my BRZ. At high speed, I do not note any noise. From 40 MPH, I start to hear a periodic squeak, almost squish kind of noise as I come to a stop. I notice that the sound repeats slower as I come to a stop, which tells me that the noise (rubbing, whatever it may be) varies with speed. I don't think my brakes are warped in any way but who knows. I am running stock calipers, pads on slotted rotors. Suspension was from last owner, from what I can tell they are Bilstein B8's with either OEM springs or eibach lowering springs. I also notice, from this awful road drop I have to drive over every day, that the suspension will give a hard squishy sound in the rear. But, this is after a cold start in the morning and immediately going over this bump. I know this is a lot of information, but please offer advice if you can. I need to know if it is a serious brake problem.

Mine does the exact same thing. It started November of 2014 and my suspension and brakes were bone stock. I had 9k miles or so on the car then. When it started it disappeared shortly after, however it came back. I took my brakes apart to inspect everything, relubed everything, and noise was gone. It keeps coming back but shits up after lubing. I'm loosing my mind lol. I've replaced rotors thinking maybe they were warped, caliper slider pins (heard maybe one was catching) , and even caliper bolts themselves. It goes away and comes back. Now it's back with a vengeance. I repeat the noise only is audible coming to a stop while soft braking. Hard braking I hear nothing. I've tried rolling to a crawl in gear and in neutral. I'm thinking maybe replacing my caliper bracket/mount or replacing the pad hardware. My pads are still wearing evenly. Not sure WTF could be causing it. Any help would be appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Subie_Nubie]

Originally Posted by Clott

Mine does the exact same thing. It started November of 2014 and my suspension and brakes were bone stock. I had 9k miles or so on the car then. When it started it disappeared shortly after, however it came back. I took my brakes apart to inspect everything, relubed everything, and noise was gone. It keeps coming back but shits up after lubing. I'm loosing my mind lol. I've replaced rotors thinking maybe they were warped, caliper slider pins (heard maybe one was catching) , and even caliper bolts themselves. It goes away and comes back. Now it's back with a vengeance. I repeat the noise only is audible coming to a stop while soft braking. Hard braking I hear nothing. I've tried rolling to a crawl in gear and in neutral. I'm thinking maybe replacing my caliper bracket/mount or replacing the pad hardware. My pads are still wearing evenly. Not sure WTF could be causing it. Any help would be appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's an accurate description of my situation as well. I don't know if it could be related to worn OEM bushings that don't secure the suspension as well as some stiffer ones. So you have OEM suspension right? Is anything aftermarket? (brakes, pads, rotors, struts, springs?)


I still haven't had time to jack the car up and look at the brakes. I'll hold off on this until I get more free time.

[Clott]

Originally Posted by Subie_Nubie

That's an accurate description of my situation as well. I don't know if it could be related to worn OEM bushings that don't secure the suspension as well as some stiffer ones. So you have OEM suspension right? Is anything aftermarket? (brakes, pads, rotors, struts, springs?)


I still haven't had time to jack the car up and look at the brakes. I'll hold off on this until I get more free time.

Everything is stock except suspension. When I first heard the noise I was bone stock. It shut up when I checked out the brakes and applied some more lube. It came back like 2 months later. Still have the noise even after I installed coilovers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shellslinger]

Check your fender area for leafs just in case. I had almost the same problem thought it was brakes but I turned out to be leaves stuck in the fender.

[Clott]

Originally Posted by shellslinger

Check your fender area for leafs just in case. I had almost the same problem thought it was brakes but I turned out to be leaves stuck in the fender.

Will check, but man if you heard the sound you'd know that it couldn't be a leaf lol. I found an old service receipt in my owners manual from the first owner who had apparently taken it in. It mentioned that the metal shims were rubbing and they lubed it up. Sooo I'm going to try different pads or remove the shims.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[go_a_way1]

Dude brake squeal is totally normal and will happen more often when cold. You have never tired race pads have you hahahaha!

[Clott]

Originally Posted by go_a_way1

Dude brake squeal is totally normal and will happen more often when cold. You have never tired race pads have you hahahaha!

I had squeal on my IS300, but this man sounded bad. I thought maybe a caliper was failing. It's only one corner too. Driver front brakes and I hadn't changed anything with them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[connorlug]

I see this at work somewhat often, you most likely have warped rotors in the front, have them machined or replace them and either replace the pads or sand them down with a belt sander to a flat surface again, or else it will come back

[Clott]

Originally Posted by connorlug

I see this at work somewhat often, you most likely have warped rotors in the front, have them machined or replace them and either replace the pads or sand them down with a belt sander to a flat surface again, or else it will come back

Good looking out. I did buy a new rotor to see if that would correct it and it didn't. I just ordered some TRD pads though, so here's to hoping that new pads will fix the issue. My last resort is a new caliper too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[YEAHdams]

How's everything working out for you on this? Mine are doing it at 20k. I just bought new pads. Hopfully that fixes it.

[adjusts]

update? this is happening to me too. periodic squeaks.