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Clicking sound from BRAKES(Reverse Only)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Ltlg, Dec 16, 2014.

  1. Ltlg

    Ltlg Junior Member

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    Hey all! I just had my 10K service done with the tire rotation and whatnot about a month and a half ago and now I have a click sound coming from the breaks when in reverse. Sounds like its coming from the right side both front and back. I live 1 1/2 hours from the nearest dealership to have them take a look & weather has been uncooperative. Is this something to be checked ASAP? I know they never made this sound before that last tire rotation.
     
  2. CrazyLee

    CrazyLee Member

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    It is time to grab the tire iron (it is best to use a torque wrench) and tighten up the lug nuts. If they are loose you could just watch and see a tire passing you when it comes off.
     
  3. Ltlg

    Ltlg Junior Member

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    Good idea! Never thought of that. I'll bring it to a our local mechanic and have him check them out for me. Good friend of mine and has all of the tools. Thanks!
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Can you give more info on the sound? Is it click-click-click, possibly in time with wheel revolutions? Take a look at the discs through the spokes with a strong light, look for clues like rust or scoring.
     
  5. Ltlg

    Ltlg Junior Member

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    Well all the lug nuts were tight not the problem. The click noise is right as I press the pedal it does it once and that's it. If I'm still in reverse and let up and press the pedal again it will do it again. Not a grinding noise it's like the breaks are grabbing with a click/clunk noise. Only in reverse.
     
  6. CrazyLee

    CrazyLee Member

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    Have someone stand outside and then make the brakes click. Find out if the front wheels or rear wheels are at fault.
    Next compare right side vs left side brakes click. Maybe it is only one brake at fault.

    A good mechanic can easily fix the problem. Or you can DIY if you want to.
     
  7. arewethereyet

    arewethereyet Junior Member

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    Did you ever figure out what is causing this? Our 2012 Prius V does the same thing. Sounds like a cracking/popping noise from the front of the car. Only in reverse and when you hit the brakes.

    We took it to the Toyota dealership and they said it was the brakes moving, but there isn't an issue.
     
  8. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    Could the brake pads be sliding in the caliper housing? When braking in the forward direction, they move to one side of the caliper, then upon braking in reverse, they shift and click up against the caliper housing in the other direction.
     
  9. arewethereyet

    arewethereyet Junior Member

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    The service manager was thinking the same thing, but if you stay in reverse and apply brake, let off, apply brake, it does it every time. The tech said it's a normal sound for the car. I don't remember the car doing it prior to a month ago, and my 2005 has never done it.
     
  10. Ltlg

    Ltlg Junior Member

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    I still have yet to get it in. I'm positive the car has never done that before. I've had it for a year now and until my last oil change and rotation is when I first started noticing it. Every time I make an appointment to go it likes to storm up here and working 6 days a week its hard to get away. I'm just going to have to take a day off soon and go. I now have a squeaky blower motor when its cold after it warms up its fine. Sux not living near a dealership.
     
  11. arewethereyet

    arewethereyet Junior Member

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    Is North Dakota near anything :) The only place I've been to in ND is Lakota for a wedding.

    On another note, hoping someone out there has solved this issue...
     
  12. macman408

    macman408 Electron Guidance Counselor

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    Coincidentally, I just noticed this yesterday too. Seems like it's the right front making the noise, but I didn't have anybody verify that from outside the car (just opened the windows while I was in the garage). I agree it sounds like something sliding a bit before it hits the limit of its motion. Maybe we don't hear the noise when going forward for the first time because gravity causes it to fall back down - thus it happens every time in reverse, and never while moving forward?

    I plan on just letting it be, at least for now. But I'd appreciate if you could send us all a note if you die in a giant fireball on the side of a cliff due to brake failure so that I know to get it checked out. :D
     
  13. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Our 2011 does this as well, but I've never been concerned about the noise. My Camry does it too.
     
  14. arewethereyet

    arewethereyet Junior Member

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    I think we are going to go with this as well. We have another "brake" issue that I don't think I'll be able to live with. Some wagons are affected by "grabbing" rear brakes when it's cold out. Sounds like pulsating growling as you pull out of your driveway, It's embarrassing. There is a TSB on it, but our V is at 45k miles now.
     
  15. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Exactly. Gravity, aided by a spring. My '81 Mazda made the same click sometimes.
     
  16. Ltlg

    Ltlg Junior Member

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    LOL not really! Where I live I'm close to the Canadian border so I could go there if i wanted. Finally was able to get my car in and looked at for my 15K service. As far as the break noise they said everything checked out and it could be the pads "adjusting". Said it was normal. I SWEAR I've never heard it until I had a different dealership do my 10k service.

    As for the squeaking heater fan on first start they couldn't find anything wrong with it. So I guess unless I can leave it there overnight so they can listen first thing after it sits I'll just have to deal with it for now. I will say this car is a BRUTE!! -21 this morning and it fired right up. I know we've had other cold mornings and this car just does its thing. No block heater or garage and I never have a problem.

    Thanks for the tips and tricks ALL!! Lots of great info here. I learn something new everyday by reading the threads.
     
  17. My590L

    My590L Junior Member

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    I have a similar problem with a clicking/ ticking sound, but its when accelerating from a stop going forward, not reverse. I started a separate thread...
     
  18. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    It could be something as simple as a rock wedged into the tire tread, or if you are unlucky, a nail in your tire.
     
  19. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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  20. arewethereyet

    arewethereyet Junior Member

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    I don't remember hearing it prior to 40k miles either. It's annoying but as long as it's not a problem, we'll live with it.