Brake pad wear indicators

jamarimutt · 02-20-2006, 04:07 PM

This morning, the left front brake pad wear indicator started screaching out loud. I drove about a mile to a tire shop and they identified the sound for me. Sure enough, the sound is described in the manual. The car has been quiet for the rest of the day.

Has anyone else heard a similar warning, and if so, at what mileage? Based on posts in this forum I was expecting a very long brake pad life, so I was surprised to hear a warning at 34,500 miles.

galaxee · 02-20-2006, 04:11 PM

wow, that's unusual.

sure it wasn't a rock or something jammed in there? i've seen quite a few posts about that kind of thing happening.

how was your 30k service? any notes on brake pads? did they check the brake pads?

KTPhil · 02-20-2006, 04:49 PM

If it went away, it wasn't the wear indicator. Probably a small stone wedged in, or rust accumulation. I haven't seen the Prius pad but with most, the "indicator" is a metal finger that rubs the disc when the pad is worn. It will make noise ALL the time once it reaches wearout; it will not go away until the pads are replaced or the finger bent out of the way.

Frank Hudon · 02-20-2006, 05:28 PM

it is entirely possible if you have a siezed caliper to grind down one pad and not both and get as squeeler rubbing. Time to have it checked I hate to say. If nothing is found it was probably just a stone or bottle cap or some other debris that got thrown in there and started making noise. If you fell comfortable, pull the front wheels and have a look and see if one side of the pads are worn down. If one pad is to 1/8" change them and if one side is worn more than the other it's time to clean the mounting pads and sliders for the caliper and then lube with hi-temp grease. 34k is about 50K KMs and Andrew's cab went more than 85k before his first pad replacement. I'm leaning towards debris.

02-20-2006, 05:28 PM	#4
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	it is entirely possible if you have a siezed caliper to grind down one pad and not both and get as squeeler rubbing. Time to have it checked I hate to say. If nothing is found it was probably just a stone or bottle cap or some other debris that got thrown in there and started making noise. If you fell comfortable, pull the front wheels and have a look and see if one side of the pads are worn down. If one pad is to 1/8" change them and if one side is worn more than the other it's time to clean the mounting pads and sliders for the caliper and then lube with hi-temp grease. 34k is about 50K KMs and Andrew's cab went more than 85k before his first pad replacement. I'm leaning towards debris. __________________ You can quote me on this, People who drive vehicles that idle at a traffic light, are idiots. mine 2k3 avg. 5.36 for 46,915Km Best tank 4.4L per 100K 64.2 Imperial 53.4 U.S. gallon, MiniScanner, SilverStars, block heater, winter lips, in as of Oct 15, out on April 25. In again on Sept. 21st. her's 2k4 "B" avg. 6.01 for 42,317 Km Best tank 4.02L per 100K, CAN-view with OBD11 module and flashloader, SilverStars, 06 Chrome grill bar, Michelin HydroEdge, upper and lower grill blocker,upper out as of April 7, lower out on April 28. In again on Sept 21st.

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02-20-2006, 04:07 PM	#1
jamarimutt Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 972 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	This morning, the left front brake pad wear indicator started screaching out loud. I drove about a mile to a tire shop and they identified the sound for me. Sure enough, the sound is described in the manual. The car has been quiet for the rest of the day. Has anyone else heard a similar warning, and if so, at what mileage? Based on posts in this forum I was expecting a very long brake pad life, so I was surprised to hear a warning at 34,500 miles.

02-20-2006, 04:11 PM	#2
galaxee running WOT until out of fuel Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 9,081 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 21	wow, that's unusual. sure it wasn't a rock or something jammed in there? i've seen quite a few posts about that kind of thing happening. how was your 30k service? any notes on brake pads? did they check the brake pads?

02-20-2006, 04:49 PM	#3
KTPhil Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,213 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	If it went away, it wasn't the wear indicator. Probably a small stone wedged in, or rust accumulation. I haven't seen the Prius pad but with most, the "indicator" is a metal finger that rubs the disc when the pad is worn. It will make noise ALL the time once it reaches wearout; it will not go away until the pads are replaced or the finger bent out of the way.