Rattling noise from front brake system...

Background, my 09 had both front calipers replaced by Toyota in July. They definitely didn't have the best and brightest doing the job because they didn't bother replacing my brake fluid, I never thought to check after and assumed it would be full, turns out it was just below the minimum line. So knowing that they didn't do a great job, I'm now thinking this current issue is related.

I've noticed it for a few weeks but I haven't been driving the truck much, taking the motorcycle to work so the truck's been driven maybe a couple times a week for short trips. Something is rattling in the front left and it stops as soon as I hit the brakes. I haven't taken the wheel off to look (planning on it saturday) so for now I can only guess. Think maybe toyota forgot to put the wire spring back when the reassembled? Would that cause the brake pads to flutter and make noise?

What else do you think could cause a sound? Like I said, immediately goes away with even slight brake pressure.

Also, since it was done in July do you think it's worth even thinking about complaining?

 

Funny I just had this rattling noise my self recently. Had the brakes done about 2 years ago, but just redid them a few weeks ago with the help of @crashngiggles Now I have no idea what the rattling was but it completely went away with new rotors and pads. We both couldn't figure what the metal rattling noise was, except that maybe my pads were moving around as I think they were cracked in a couple of spots. Footnote don't ever waste money on Powerstop Rotors and Hawk 5.0 pads complete junk. I wish I had more of an answer but I don't sorry. But I did this nice Brake Upgrade and it is definitely an upgrade, and any and all noises went away. Maybe @crashnburn80 can pinpoint what the rattling might be.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-upgrade-stoptech-rotors-trd-performance-pads.523829/

 

Wondering if the raddling is coming from the brake shims.....or the lack of?

 

That definitely could be when I put in the new trd pads they came with the shims built in.

 

Springs missing could maybe cause it, shims probably not. I would definitely take it back to the dealer. 100%. You went there trusting they’d be the best to take care of it, so they should.

They’ll be able to see how few miles you’ve driven it since the brakes were done since they record the mileage at every visit.

 

I didn't think about the shims, most new pads have those built in now don't they? I'm going to take the wheel off regardless of what I do after but I do think I'm going to call and complain no matter what.

 

Thinking about it a bit more, it could be that the caliper bolts could be loose and cause that too. That would be pretty concerning to drive it that way if so.

 

OEM pads require additional OEM shims for our trucks, shims are not built into the pads. Third party pads even with so called built in shims may not fit exactly as OEM pads+shims. I had non-OEM pads for some years and as they wore, they rattled inside the caliper. Replaced them myself with all OEM pads and shims and no rattling if done correctly along with appropriate shim grease. Also make sure the pins are seated, clips holding in the pads are tight, installed in correct orientation and not bent wrong.

 

Took the wheel off yesterday, nothing obvious. The wire spring was bent inward and touching the rotor so I bent it back away. There was no grease at all on the pins that guide the pads so I greased those. Greased the backs of the pads at all the contact points. Everything looked good other than zero grease so I really have no idea. Haven't driven since doing this so I don't know if any of that helped yet.

 

I can only assume it was the pins that I heard, or the pads. Whatever the cause, greasing the contact points solved the issue. I shouldn't be surprised that toyota did a poor job, I don't know why I expected anything different.