Okay folks, here's my problem. I am experiencing excessive noise from my passenger side rear wheel. Its a 94 sc4 with 160K on it. Upon inspection for installation of new tires, it was noticed that one had a cut inside it and a slight bend in the rim from a pothole possibly. The tires were replaced, and although the tires would balance on the machine to zero the tire had shake at highway speeds, ie 60mph and up. Also, there is a noise that starts a about 40mph that sounds like a flat spot on the tire. Tire was exchanged and rim was found to be suspect because of the bend. Upon replacing the rim, the out of balance shake is gone but the noise is still present. The noise sounds like a bearing issue but my Toyota mechanic said there is no play in the bearings and didnt recommend a change. The noise seems to only be present after some driving as if it is heat related? I can feel some pulse or shudder in the brakes like a rotor might be an issue but the noise is present regardless of whether the peddle is depressed or not. Inspection of pads shows the outter wearing at twice the rate of the inner on that side rotor doesnt have any feelable gouges.

Any ideas or suggestions??

Thanks,
John

 

After it gets warm, smell around that wheel. If you smell burning brakes, likely the outside caliper piston(s) are not retracting and the noise is the pad riding on the rotor. Might be time for a caliper rebuild/replace.

 

Thanks Carpe, I'll try your suggestion next time out....

 

Thanks Carpe,

You were correct. The piston was definitly hung for some reason. Will have to check into the rebuild or replacement of the subject caliper...is burning the pad at twice the opposite wheel for sure

Once again, Thanks!! Great insight

JW

 

just so this is also said, the same sound is produced by the driveshaft center bearing when it is wearing out. the "channel" up the center of the car makes it sound like it is coming from the front passenger side. similar to a "whoosh" sound with a little "rub" to it.

I blamed my wheel bearing and brakes for 6 months before i found it to be the center bearing on the driveshaft. the car channels the sound up the center tunnel just right for it to sound like the passenger side wheel.

 

Hey jwTR6,

That's a pretty basic diagnosis that your mechanic should have seen when he was in there. Time to change mechanics?

George

 

jwTR6,
Are you sure the piston is stuck or the caliper pins are frozen? If the piston was stuck, you would not have brake wear or at least uneven braking, car will pull to the driver's side . Sounds more like your caliper pins are frozen. Pull and regrease them. One of the rears also has a rubber o-ring you might want to replace. Use high-temp wheel bearing grease. And while you are at it, pull and regrease all your calipers. Common Lexus problem.

Regards