Unexplained brake noises

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Iris_TheRainbow, Apr 26, 2026 at 3:22 PM.

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  1. Iris_TheRainbow

    Iris_TheRainbow New Member

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    2003 Prius
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    N/A
    My 03's brakes have recently developed a noise on the front passenger side that I've not been able to explain so far

    When I'm driving normally, It makes a squeaking noise that happens once per wheel rotation. When I hit the brakes, there's a single loud squeaking noise when I hit the brakes hard enough to come to a full stop.

    I know its brakes because the bearing is fine, no slop, consistent force needed to spin the wheel.

    I'm planning to pull the brakes off when I replace the front shocks and springs to see if something is obviously wrong, but I know the pads have nearly 1cm of pad width, the rotors are smooth enough, though there's a couple fine grooves in the outer face. They don't appear to be warped either. I feel like I've lot a little brake force recently, but not much at all.

    Is there something specific I should look for here? I've not really experienced a noise like this in other cars.
     
  2. Iris_TheRainbow

    Iris_TheRainbow New Member

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    I’ve got no idea why the noise was happening now. I took them apart, cleaned everything, greased everything, and put them back together. It stopped after that. There’s no obvious wear from anything rubbing that shouldn’t.
     
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    That's an effective repair method a lot of the time. I've even fixed couldn't say how many things with the simpler method "took them apart, did nothing, and put them back together". :)
     
  4. ronlewis

    ronlewis Active Member

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    I like the "do nothing until the problem reveals itself" repair method.