Brake or Suspension Creak after making complete stop

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ethan Waldman, Sep 27, 2016.

  1. Ethan Waldman

    Ethan Waldman Junior Member

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    I'm hoping someone can help me troubleshoot a noise that has been bugging me for a while in my 2011 Prius Three. I honestly can't remember how long it's been, but I did have all four break rotors and pads replaced by a trusted mechanic back in February when I bought the car.

    The noise happens right after making a complete stop, like as the weight of the car is coming back up. The sound is a creak, almost like a mattress that makes noise when you put your weight on it. At first, I thought it was a suspension issue. However, I can't replicated the sound just by pushing down on the front of the car and letting it spring back up.

    The brakes make a similar creak right before I start moving again, when I take my foot back off the break pedal. I'm hoping this is a simple matter of lubricating a part, since the brakes are relatively new. Any advice greatly appreciated!

    I also made what I think is a pretty decent recording of the sound that you can listen to here. The If you listen closely you can also hear the creak sound happen a second time when I lift my foot off the pedal.


     
    #1 Ethan Waldman, Sep 27, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    could be suspension bushings or rust on the brake rotors. how many miles on her?
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 27, 2016
  3. Ethan Waldman

    Ethan Waldman Junior Member

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    62k miles. Front and rear rotors and pads were replaced at 49k. Vermont can be rough on cars (lots of salt on the roads, dirt roads, etc.).
     
    #3 Ethan Waldman, Sep 27, 2016
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that wouldn't be normal wear and tear then. perhaps you can have him look at the rotors and suspension.
    since you trust him, i won't question his work, or if he used all oem parts.
     
    #4 bisco, Sep 27, 2016
  5. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Did your trusted mechanic re-fit the anti-rattle shims on the pads ?
     
    #5 kithmo, Sep 28, 2016
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  6. Ethan Waldman

    Ethan Waldman Junior Member

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    I'll ask him. Are the anti-rattle shims something that is specific just to Priuses or standard for any brake job?

    @bisco: I do trust him but no mechanic is perfect. He used SST pads and Federated rotors.
     
    #6 Ethan Waldman, Sep 29, 2016
  7. stanigu

    stanigu Member

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    Maybe you'll get more responses by posting in Gen 3 section...
     
    #7 stanigu, Sep 29, 2016
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I wouldn't pursue the above too far. The highlighted items (front brakes shown, rears similar) are not called "anti-rattle" by Toyota, but I believe it's these sometimes are referred to by the term:

    upload_2016-9-29_9-27-8.png

    It seems improbable that a decent mechanic would not reinstall the clips. I doubt they would even remove them, it is a royal pain without completely removing the caliper support bracket. Also, I can't see their omission making all the noise.

    My guess for the source of the sound would be the suspension.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Sep 29, 2016
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  9. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Very standard for any brake job. And if they aren't correctly lubricated, rattles can result.

    One thing unique to Prius (well, maybe others, I do not know) is a "button" on the back plate of the inboard rear brake pads. That's rear brake pads, the pad that's inner, has a "button" on the back of the pad. This button needs to align with an indentation on the brake piston. Your mechanic may not know this. I didn't know it or understand it until Mendel showed me a picture.
     
    #9 Rebound, Oct 1, 2016
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  10. Gen 2 Tom

    Gen 2 Tom Active Member

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    Are you new to the Prius? The reason I ask, is there is a transition from regeneration braking to the mechanical brakes around 3 MPH. The car wiggles, noises, etc. sometimes the brakes are a bit grabby because of rust. One of the Prius quirks. The good news is my brakes are at 200 K and so is most every body. It could be your looking at this to closely.
     
    #10 Gen 2 Tom, Oct 3, 2016
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