my Toyota Camry XV40 has a grinding noise in the brakes

Solution

1. Preparation

• Gather tools and safety equipment (gloves, safety glasses).
• Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake.
• Loosen lug nuts on the wheels before raising the vehicle.

2. Raise Vehicle

• Use a jack to lift the front or rear of the vehicle depending on where the grinding noise is occurring.
• Secure with jack stands for safety.

3. Remove Wheel

• Remove the lug nuts completely and take off the wheel to access the brake components.
• Store lug nuts in a safe place to avoid losing them.

4. Inspect and Replace Brake Pads

• Remove the caliper by unscrewing the caliper bolts using a socket set.
• Carefully slide the caliper off the brake rotor, supporting it to prevent strain on the brake line.
• Remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket.
• Inspect the brake pads for thickness; replace if they are worn down to the indicator or below.
• Install new brake pads, ensuring they are properly seated in the caliper bracket.

5. Inspect and Resurface or Replace Rotors

• Check the brake rotors for any significant grooves or warping.
• If the rotors are scored, they may need to be resurfaced or replaced.
• To replace, remove the rotor by unscrewing the retaining screws (if applicable) and sliding it off the hub.
• Install new or resurfaced rotors, ensuring they are clean and free of debris.

6. Reassemble Brake Components

• Reattach the caliper over the new brake pads and rotor.
• Tighten caliper bolts to the manufacturer’s specified torque (usually around 20-30 lb-ft, check specifications).
• Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

7. Lower Vehicle

• Carefully lower the vehicle back to the ground and fully tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to the specified torque (typically 80-100 lb-ft).

8. Test the Brakes

• Pump the brake pedal several times to ensure proper brake engagement.
• Check for any abnormal noises before taking the vehicle for a test drive.