My car's brakes squeak, but only if it has been parked for a long time at night. Help?

Question

My car has a weird problem. If it's parked for several hours at night, then when I start driving the brakes will squeak whenever I stop. It only does this for maybe 10 minutes, and then it goes away. This doesn't happen when I park my car at the lot at work during the day.

The car dealership said that my front brake rotors have rust on them, and they recommended replacing the rotors, the brake pads (because they're not toyota brake pads), and putting in a shim kit for a total cost of about $650.

Is that an accurate assessment? What else could be going on with my car? And should it really cost that much to fix?

Answer 1

Yes, if your car is outside and it's humid out rotors will rust.  this is a normal occurrance.  The shims on the brake pads are important if someone has removed them, they should be replaced.  The brake material is also a factor.  Toyota uses material which is designed to limit noise along with the shim kits which isolate it.

The dealer is very high, parts (Toyota OEM) are around $100 (pads and shim kit).  A good independent can turn your rotors (if at legal limits) and replace for about the same.  

Please remember, brakes generate heat and noise to scrub the energy of stopping.  We can minimize noise and remove heat, noise will always find a way back so judge the severity over cost.

good luck

Answer 2

well brakes are easy and cheap to do your self.... squeak is more likey just rust which can be turn and fix most of the time.... dont cost anywhere near that... try calling any auto parts store ask about pads and rotors for your car.. call a few places asking about a brake job or to check your brake any shop can do it.... and never go to a dealer unless its the last place... should like 50 bucks for new pads and rotor prices vary but mine where like 30 buck each...you might not need rotor just scrape off the rust a round the outer edge and you can do that with a wire brush....really really dont go to that shop they taking your money... you can look up price at autozone.com or you can call any parts store for a price of parts.. and any shop can to brakes.... my wife does her own ...is really easy  

Answer 3

I would not think it is due to rust on the rotors... usually rust gives you a grinding feeling ... sounds to me as if you have semimetalic pads on the car... they will squeak until the pads get warm due to the fact that the metal fragments in the pad are very rigid when cold then they soften up as they heat up... I would have the brakes checked and if there is plenty of pad left and you can deal with the squeal I wouldn't do nothing at this time wait till you need to have the brakes changed then go with a higher quality brake pad and make sure that who ever installs them greases all contact points and slides as well as putting some grease in the back side of the pads this will keep any squeaks from happening... a squeak is just a vibration... the grease in the back of the pads will absorb this tiny vibration eliminating the squeal... also when your brakes are replaced have who ever does the job put an non directional finish on your rotors this will also help from any squealing...

Answer 4

Sounds like they think you are a sucker.....I agree with them about the rust on the rotors, that will cause a squeak. Go ahead and have your rotors turned at a brake shop. NOT THE DEALERSHIP, this should cost you around $100 bucks, maybe even less....Good idea to have the alignment checked while you are there also.

Answer 5

It's difficult to diagonse without seeing it myself but with most brake problems you are best to take apart the brake system to inspect (i.e remove wheel, brake pads & caliper to inspect). Once everything is exposed you can "normally" find the problem whatever it may be. If the brake pads being used are cheap & not genuine this can quite often cause unusual noises & operation.

As for the discs being rusty... unless they are REALLY bad you shouldn't need to change them. The only time discs require replacement is when they wear out - become to thin. Every disc has a minimum thickness - think of this as it's "due by date".  This is the only normal reason to replace discs.

As for Shim Kits - this is not a term I'm used to but I will presume it's an overhaul kit for the plates that surround the pads. Again these only need replacing if they are damaged/bent etc. Now this could be your problem. If these thin metal plates have been bent in some way (and it doesn't take much) then they could require adjusting/replacing. It could be that once your brakes get hot the plates expand & stop rubbing on whatever it is they are rubbing on & squeaking.

Of course when you take a car to a garage (especailly a dealer) they try to "maximise" the sale. There is no way around this. You need to find a mechanic you trust & stick with them. Dealerships charge alot more per hour & are only allowed to use genuine parts so the bill often ends up being 2/3 times more!

Best of luck

Answer 6

First off, avoid going to a dealership whenever possible - especially if your vehicle is no longer under warranty, which I'm assuming yours isn't.  Chain auto repair sites such as STS, Midas, etc are places to avoid as well - their whole premise of doing business (as with dealerships) is to upsell - for example, you may only have a minor problem which could be inexpensive to repair, but they try to convince you that you need major (and usually unneccesary) work done. They are all making an assumption - usually correct - that people are completely ignorant about their vehicles and try to get you to purchase items and services that you don't actually need so they can generate commission.  Find a reliable local mechanic and have him/her look at your car.   As for your brake problem, you don't say when the last time was that you had your brakes serviced.  As far as the assessment you were given 1) all rotors have rust on them unless they are brand new - they may just need to be "cut down" a procedure which is done to true up the rotors and smooth the surface where the pads come into contact with the rotors  2) they want to replace the pads because they aren't Toyota pads? - please!  The aftermarket pads are made by the same companies that provide the manufacturers with their brake pads.  3) Shim kit???  That's actually laughable.  Your brake squeal could be due to any number of things - moisture, brake dust, improper pads/pad alignment, broken pad that realigns after you brake a few times. I could go on forever.  As important a component of your car as the brakes are, the reasons they gave you for replacing the parts are absolutely ludicrous.  They are just trying to take you.  Word of advice - dealing with this industry as a guy can be bad enough, but females are considered a prime target.  Do your research and don't let yourself be taken advantage of.  BTW - I am a female who spent close to 15 years in the automotive industry - mechanic/parts/paint and body, etc.  You have no idea what I've seen!  Hope I could help and good luck!  PS Stick to your guns and don't let them intimidate you or push you around.  You can always do your business elsewhere and don't be afraid to let them know that!

Answer 7

i have heard that replacing toy brake pads w/generics will cause sqeaking.  sounds like u love this car so for a few more bucks it should solve the prob.

I agree that u should hv rotors turned so this might be a good time to replace pads.  $650 rip-off