Soap

So I have been battling this brake squeal for several months now, it only happens when I first get in the car and 'usually' after a couple of times braking it goes away. I do not believe it has anything to do with moisture in the air that would cause surface rust on the rotor and I have verified my brake pads have plenty of life left. I can't say for certain but I believe the issue started happening after I initially used iron-x cleaner on the wheels. Not sure why that would cause an issue but thought it was worth mentioning. Does anyone have any ideas what might be happening here, it is pretty annoying to say the least.

XSV

iTrader: (1)

Brake squeal has always been normal for me, esp at low speeds, like in and out of the drive way or coming to a stop at a red light. I thought it's just a Lexus IS thing.

Soledad

I seem to only have brake squeal when I'm backing out of my driveway. Does not matter what the conditions are and it only happens when backing up.
If the brakes are cold, it will squeal, loudly.

I've had the stock brakes do it, new ceramic brakes with stock rotors do it and now my new rotors and new semi-metallic pads are doing it.
If I park so that I don't have to back up then the brakes won't squeal.

I've probably had near 50 vehicles in my life time of all sizes and conditions and this is the only vehicle where the brakes
sing when cold when backing up.

ldc

The squeals are mostly due to the type of pads. Its very important to do pad bedding at the beginning correctly otherwise you will be stuck with the noise.

Change the pads it's cheap. Get EBC black for normal useand, put on the shim provided and bed them exactly as instructed.

Soap

Well, glad to see that I am not alone, I do run the OEM low dust pads and have done so the entire life of the car. (118,000) miles now. It's just an annoyance really...

ldc

Just change the pads and make sure you bed them correctly.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Have you attempted to re-bed in those brakes? Do 8-10, 60 to 5mph medium pressure stops back to back to back. Cool them off for a good 5 minutes while driving normally. See what happens afterward. Basically a free fix...if it works.

ldc

You might need to remove the pads and put them back in first. This will displaced the pads and allow you to maybe re-bed them.

Soap

"Do 8-10, 60 to 5mph medium pressure stops back to back to back."

This sounds like my daily commute. Thanks for the replies guys.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

^Let us know if this helps! Best to find an empty back road to re-bed them in. Good luck!

ldc

Well new pad you have to take it real easy for the first 100 miles, medium breaking for the next 100 and then do the hard test after.

Hard test is between 45-60 mph hard break but not too hard, when the car drops to 15 mph you slam and get the car to a skid! Do this 2-3 times. Yous pads are at this stage already since it's old!

I still recommend you displace the pads first by taking them out and putting them back in. Then treat them like new pads bedding.

langjaykev

iTrader: (1)

Same issue, i was told i need to resurface rotors or replace them. 75k miles on my rotors, didnt start happening until i was at 73k. On my 2nd pads with over 50% life on the pads.

It would only come from the front right rotor, during the cold start phase. loud squeal, pretty annoying. I plan to just get all 4 new rotors.

jonnyp34

I have a similar issue on my 08 IS350 RWD but the brake squeal is constant, when applying light pressure. Like it squeals every time I stop slowly. I took the car to the dealership because it's annoying. After two hours, the service guy said he had consulted a technical bulletin and it's a heat issue. When I got my brakes serviced about a year ago everything was properly installed. Dealership said and the only thing to do was replace the pads and rotors, even though they are fine. Works fine...but they are noisy.

Will the re-bed work or is that only with newly installed pads? Or will getting new pads only work?

I had thought about upgrading the rotors to drilled or slotted--now might be the time. What do y'all recommend?

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Where in SC are you?

Yes, you can re-bed brakes in at any time. If a full re-bed process doesn't do anything, time to remove them and get physical with some sandpaper on them. IF that doesn't work, time to look into new components OR consider possible seized caliper(s).

Soledad

Quick note: If you do go the sand paper route for your brake rotors you'll want to use Garnet paper. Do not use regular sand paper as it can make it worse.