clean lube and adjust brakes

[stanleyeye]

A few days ago, I did a mechanical inspection for my 98 camry 4 cylinder. The mechanic told me to clean lube and adjust brakes. I plan to do it by myself. But I do not know what and where the lube is. How to clean it?

Please give me some advice.
many thanks!

[Brian R.]

Get a Haynes manual for your car. The information is in there.

[Mike Gerber]

Brian,

While we are on the subject of brakes, what have you been using to lube the back of the disk pads and shims lately? I have recently done the front pads (and turned the rotors) on my 94 Camry 4 cylinder with antilocks and 4 wheels discs and I occasionally get a squeak. I used a new combination of ceramak/semi-metalic pads that Raybestos makes for Pep Boys under the Pro Stop name. They refer to them as "ceramak enhanced". I just replaced the original 2 part anti squeak shims that came with the car without using anything on the back of the pads. In the past I have always used Permatex Disc Brake Quiet, but though I would try it without that stuff this time as once you use that, you can never get the shims off again to be reused. If it doesn't go away in a few weeks I may have to take the pads off again and use something on the backs. The Toyota tech service manual says to use "disc brake grease" on both sides of the inner shim, but is not any more specific than that. I do use synthetic disc brake grease on the slider pins but am not sure if it can be used for the back of the pads/shims. Any thoughts on this issue?

Mike

[Brian R.]

I follow the book and use the synthetic disc brake grease on the inner shim. I don't get away from Toyota pads because everytime I use something else on a Honda or Toyota, the brakes squeak, some more than others. I just play it safe. If I heard of a ceramic product that never squeaked on a Toyota or Honda, I'd try it.

[Mike Gerber]

Brian,

I put Raybestos actual ceramic pads on my wife's 98 Camry 4 cylinder in the front a couple of months ago. I used the shims and the grease that came with the pads. After a few hundred miles I had no squeak and a much firmer pedal feel. The pads were a bit pricey but they were worth it on that car. That 98 with front disc and rear drums always felt like I needed 2 feet to stop it compared to my 94 with 4 wheel discs. The 100% ceramics really made a big difference on that car. I probably should have used them on my 94 too, but a Raybestos tech service guy talked me into trying these "Ceramic Enhanced" pads that Pep Boys sells, saying he just put them on his girlfriend's car and I would be very happy with them.

Mike

[Brian R.]

So, do the ceramic enhanced pads squeak? I don't want any noise at all.

[Mike Gerber]

Brian,

I'm not sure yet. After I did the fronts I still heard that telltale sign of a pad wear indicator contacting a rotor and making that horrible noise. I wound up doing the rear discs 2 days later. For the rears I just used some cheapo semi-metalic pads. Like I said above, I'm getting a slight squeak from time to time. I can't tell if it's coming from the backs or the fronts. I'm hoping it will go away in a thousand miles or so. If it doesn't, I'll start by going back into the fronts and putting some disc brake quiet or disc brake grease on both sides of the inner shims. I didn't use anything this time just as an experiment. I'll keep you informed.

Mike

[Mike Gerber]

Brian,

After a few weeks I went back in and added the synthetic disc brake caliper grease to both sides of the front and rear brakes inner Toyota shims. I still heard an occassional noise. Yesterday I spoke to Raybestos' tech line and ask them about the squeak and using both the shim that is attached to the back of their pads and also the OEM Toyota shims at the same time. They said it is possible that could cause a squeak. Yesterday afternoon I took the Toyota shims out and regreased the backs of the shims that came attached to the pads. Then I took it for a ride but took someone with me this time. He stuck his head out the window and when we did hear a slight squeak he was almost certain it was coming from the rears. I'm almost certain he is right. If you remember, I used some el-cheapo semi-metalic pads on the rears. I may just leave them since the squeak is very slight and only happens occassionally. I only have about 400 miles on the rears, so they may get even better with time and more mileage. So, my opinion is that the "ceramic enhanced pads" work well without squeaking and are a decent compromise, especially for the price. YMMV.

Mike

[Brian R.]

Thanks for the feedback. I am still unsure if I will try them or not. Both my vehicles stop well and look like they will get 50k out of their original pads and shoes.

[Mike Gerber]

Brian,

After about 2000 miles, my 94 with the "ceramic enhanced" pads started making a terrible noise when slowing down at low speeds. It's actually a groan, not a squeak, that you only hear the last 2-3 MPH before coming to a complete stop. It's almost as if the pads didn't seat properly to the rotors, (but I know they did), only not quite as loud. On Monday I took them apart again and cleaned the rotors and lightly sanded the pads. That lasted a few miles and then the groan came back. It had to be the pad material. Today I swapped them out for Raybestos full ceramic pads. (The local Pep Boys was nice enough to exchange them for me at the same price). I only drove a few miles but so far so good. I'll keep you updated if I have any further problems.

Mike

[Brian R.]

Mike - It's good that you got the refund. Thank you for the information.

That groan you heard was the pads grabbing the disc and letting go very fast. I have heard discs in general act like that - some pads do it better than others, as far as noise production go. Sanding the rotor surface with emory cloth on a block in a circular motion might have solved the problem.

[Mike Gerber]

Brian,

I had much worse noises on my wife's 98 Camry last Spring when I used Raybestos' semi-metalic pads. Those were grinding, grabbing and even pulling. I swapped those out for Raybestos full ceramics and all the problems went away. I'm hoping it will be the same for my 94. I'll know in a few thousand miles.

Mike

[Mike Gerber]

Brian,

Now that my fronts seem OK, I finally had enough of the slight occasional squeak from my 94 Camry's rear disc brakes. I took them back apart yestereday and discarded the Toyota 2-part shims and cleaned the grease off the backs of the pads with brake cleaner. Then I used the old fashioned Permatex disc brake quiet spray on the backs of the pads. I also relubed the slider pin/bolt before reassembling everything (I don't really think it needed it but as long as the bolts were out, I figured why not). So far so good. Now all is quiet as a mouse. I'm pretty sure it was the Permatex spray that cured the squeaking. I hope it stays that way. I will let you know if it doesn't.

Mike

[Brian R.]

Good job - hope it keeps working.

[Brian R.]

Just as a general note - If you put a different compound pads on the front and keep the OEM linings in the rear, there is a chance the new linings need more or less pressure to stop the same as the OEM pads did. This will change the relative amount of stopping force applied by the fronts and rears. A little is ok, but you are taking a chance that it is much more than a little. If you are changing composition of the brake pads, do both front and rear with the same material to be safe.