Diagnosing Brake Sound

You might just have bad/cheap brake pads. Have you replaced them before or are they the originals?

Toyota sells inferior brake pads now using the Toyota name. If you replaced them recently with the "cheap" variety, you would get brake noises when you brake

 

Please do post a recording link as soon as you've made a few more posts so you can.

 

How do you KNOW it's the brakes?
Has anyone taken a test drive with you, so you can point out the issue your having?
Is it repeatable and consistent?
You've told the service advisor there's a braking noise - they are only going to look at the brakes.

IMHO; throwing a recording of a noise into the void is only going to give you a bunch of guesses. Go to a local tire and brake store for a free evaluation of your issue or pay for one. At least they can see, feel, smell, and hear the issue - rather than people giving you a wild guess online.....

Good Luck....

 

There are certain brake sounds that are very distinctive, in the earlier generations at least. I might be guessing a bit for gen 4 given the changes to the brake hydraulics, or I might not, depending on the sound. What you get from a local tire and brake store could also involve guessing.

 

Maybe with a few more posts you'll get permissions. Do be aware: you can't directly upload video to this site; you'll need to upload to YouTube or similar (and create account there if needed), then provide a link here.

 

I suggest a stationary test if you can.

Park on level ground with the everything in the vehicle off and the parking brake off. Use wheel chocks if needed to keep the vehicle from moving. (1) jack up the car so that one of the wheels is off of the ground and there is a space between the bottom of the tire and the ground. (2) move/turn the wheel jacked up with your hands to spin the wheel slowly and listen for any noises. There may be a small rubbing sound as the brake pads rub against the rotor. This is a normal sound. (3) Repeat for the other 3 wheels.

This should give you a good idea if one of the rotors is warped or one of the calipers is creating the excess noise. FYI, a small stone or pebble can get caught between the rotor and the brake pads too and make a noise. If needed find a friend who is car-smart to listen with you, Good luck.

 

You've got to know your audience. "service 1" is a unique to Toyota Canada description. It's essentially just the tire rotation service, and if he's not rushed he might glance at the brakes. More info, and I do think Google AI is "optimistic":

https://share.google/aimode/CAw1ejfNK1e4m4nsm

 

A ride along; so you can point out your specific issue; if it's consistent and repeatable.
I agree with you; if the local shop just does a peek at the brakes without a ride along. They will more than likely come to the same conclusion as the dealership - but you can get a mechanic ride along in small shops - at least you used to. You many be able to get a ride along with a know nothing service advisor at the dealership. That's the difference; someone that just pushes paper or someone that wrenches. A halfway competent wrench will usually have a better guess than someone the just pushes paper around or keys on a keyboard.