I recently installed new front pads, rotors and calipers on my 2006 Prius. I used a TRQ brand kit from 1A Auto. The install went quite well, but shortly after the car started making a horrendous high-pitched whine/whistle noise while driving (not while braking!). The noise is clearly coming from both wheels and is near constant when the wheels are rotating (braking actually relieves the noise). I've driven it about 200 miles and it hasn't really changed. Any advice on what's causing this?
This is in the front? Put the front end up off the ground ready the car Heck even put it in drive with the front end off the ground and the wheels hanging is the noise present while the wheels are just spinning going nowhere step on the brakes while you're doing this do you hear anything when you step on the brakes lightly step on the brakes and allow them to drag on the rotors a little bit there's the noise start stop nothing?
Yep something isn't right in there. You're going to have to get both tires off and redo those brakes. Do the new pads have the little low-pad warning tabs and are they in the right spot? Did you remove and clean then relube the caliper pins? Did the shields around the calipers get moved and is now touching stuff as the tire spins? Get it up on jacks and then spin the wheels and try to determine where the noise is from. If it's the new pads, you may try putting a very small amount of brake quiet stuff on them. My worst brake job was on an old Suzuki my son-in-law had....had to re-do it 3 times before it wouldn't make squeeling...but keep at it, you'll find it.
Thanks for the input. I think the noise is the same it would make if your pads were worn down and your wear indicator tabs were rubbing. My guess is the problem is around there. I'll tear into it and report back.
Well I got the noise to stop, however I forgot to disconnect the battery this time. Now I have all the brake warning lights on the dash. I tried the paper clip trick but it didn't work. Any advice on getting these to go away?
Good job fixing it! For the codes, if you don't have a good scanner to clear them, try disconnecting the negative battery terminal and waiting for a bit then reconnect. If that doesn't work, check with your local car parts store and see if they have a scanner that can clear the codes.
Try finding out what codes you have before clearing them; some take a little more doing to get rid of than others, and can be frustrating if you're just flying blind. It's easy: Blink (a/k/a Flash) Codes – How to. | PriusChat