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1.remove rear brake shoes
2.locate the contact points on the backing plate
(where the shoe hits the backing plate)
3.see how it is checkred grind it down till smooth and lube use nissan gold break grease between the plate and shoe
4.sand sharp edges of shoes a little
5.reassemble rear brakes
6.machine rear drums
7.install rear drums
8.adjust brakes
9.road test
BUT IF YOUR DEALER CALLS TECH ASSIST OR THERE FACTORY FEILD SREVICE TECH NOT THE REP BUT THE TECH. THAY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS. THE PROBLEM IS THEM DOING IT BECAUSE THAY KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM BUT NOT A SAFTEY PROBLEM IT EFFECTS EVERY VAN AND TAKES ABOUT 2 HOURS TO DO THATS A LOT OF MONEY. THE BS SLUDGE RECALL KILLED THEM ON $$$ PAYING FOR THE CUSTOMERS WHO NEGLECTED THERE VECHILES.
IF THAY PRINT ANYTHING ABOUT THIS NOISE OR FIXING THE NOISE IT BECOMES A LEGAL PUBLIC DOCUMENT THEN THAY MUST DO SOMETHING. BUT IF THAY IGNORE IT IS NOT A SAFTEY ISSUE SO OH WELL.
WHAT STATE ARE YOU FROM
ANYWAY THIS IS THE FIX BRING IT TO YOUR DEALER TELL THEM WHAT TO DO IF THAY GIVE YOU A PROBLEM HAVE THEM CALL THERE FIELD REP OR TECH ASSIST TO VERIFY THE FIX GOOD LUCK
Let me tell you something. Our Avalon has been meticously maintained by both our dealer and myself. I have always changed oil at least every 3000 miles, and yet we had the sludge problem.
It's strange to hear that the sludge problem almost bankrupt the almost perfect, most reliable car manufacturer on the planet (at least how some Toyota owners feel brag).
Besides the power windows that work when they want, the sway bar links that need replacing every 18K, the rotors that warp on misty nights, the transmission that shifts like a Honda Accord and been apart twice, the ABS that is the worst in the business, the moldings that have fallen off, the rust on the trunk lid, the heater core that failed, the water leak at the windshield, and the dozen or so rattles, our Avalon has been a perfect car!!
Dusty
(Let me tell you something. Our Avalon has been meticously maintained by both our dealer and myself. I have always changed oil at least every 3000 miles, and yet we had the sludge problem)
AND I AM SURE YOU HAVE EVERY INVOICE FOR THOSE TIMES WHEN YOU (DID IT YOUR SELF)
AS FAR AS THE TRANS I USED TO WORK FOR HONDA NOT EVEN CLOSE PAL. THE ONLY THING THAY DO THE SAME IS TURN THE WHEELS OTHER THAN THAT COMPLETLY DIFFERENT
IF YOUR TRANS SHIFTS LIKE A HONDA IT IS BECAUSE THE ECU IS TRYING TO LEARN YOUR ABUSIVE PATTERN
THE BRAKES I WILL GIVE YOU THAY ARE NOT MADE TO HANDLE CUSTOMER ABUSE AVALON SHOULD HAVE TUNDRA BRAKES
WHY DID YOU RESPOND TO ME AGINE
DO YOU HAVE A SIENNA??? DO YOU KNOW THE REAR BREAK SQUEAL FIX???
WELL I DO AND I JUST WANTED TO HELP THESE PEOPLE OUT
Another thing is the GM parts that Toyota uses. We now have a radiator leak. GM. And the wheels have corroded so bad that we've had to replace one because it wouldn't hold air. GM.
A '99 at 64,000 miles. And don't tell me that we've got the only Avalon that's had transmission problems, because I know better!
good luck getting them fixed
To all the sienna owners out there I hope you preformed the fix i gave you for your rear brakes if you have any questions for me on it you can e-mail me.
Now I need the storage pocket to replace the one I destroyed. I would be willing to buy the entire console is necessary.
This is the overhead console with rear audio package. Beige/Sand/Shale color only, please. I only need the plastic parts and not the electronics.
I'll check back after the holidays.
Thanks.
Thanks!
The thumping noise that I noticed, from the 2nd day of driving my Sienna, was NOT due to a "flat spot" from parking too long. It was a defective (new) Dunlop tire that had a patch of rubber (the size of my hand and about 1 cm deep) that had somehow separated from the tire. The dealer replaced this tire with a new one at no charge.
Although this is a Dunlop tire issue, I had expected better QUALITY control from Toyota. Also, if I had listened to the dealer, I would still be driving my Sienna and vainly hoping that after 2000km this "flat spot" would go away.
This was the second problem that I have had with my Sienna so far. The first was a small patch of "fogged" up clearcoat paint on the hood that was caused by the glue of the transit film/plastic. They fixed this using a heat lamp.
--------------original #2705 post-------------
#2705 of 2770 New 2004 Sienna with Tire Thumping Noise by p80 Nov 28, 2003 (3:07 pm)
Hi All,
I have just purchased a 2004 Sienna. On the second day of driving, a thumping noise and vibration have developed. This thumping is directly correlated with the speed of the vehicle. The dealer said it is probably because the steel belt on the front tire(s) (they are Dunlop SP4000 tires) have deformed from sitting too long in one position from storage. However, if this was the case, then why didn't I feel this thumping on the first day of driving? I didn't think the 2004 Sienna would have to be stored very long before being sold.
Has anyone experienced this problem?
Is the dealer correct?
Thanks in advance.
I have a 2002 and the brake noise is horrible. If it has been resolved in the redesigned 2004, I will more than likely trade up. I too have been told that there are redesigned brake drums coming in January '04. We will see.
thanks for the advice. You have been a huge help. We have just a few more questions on those magnets used to stop the Sienna brake noise, squeal, and humming...
What type, dimensions,and weight are they? I have been to Lowes and the local hardware store and they don't have anything bigger than those used to decorate refrigerator doors. I have seen those rare earth magnets on ebay that are small (1"X1")and have tremendous force (N38) 100 pounds of pull, but I'm concerned about the effect this may have on the nearby ABS sensors. In a nutshell, are the magnets you used like the ceramic ones used in stereo speakers--but are they the heavier and rectangular metallic type? ( Length __" X Width__" X__" Depth)
Thanks So Much and Happy New Year,
Gilda1
I have changed our profile to show our e-mail... thanks for the info on the magnet trick, again. Please send us those snapshots of how you did that magnet fix. Also, FYI: our 99 Sienna passenger window motor went out about two years ago (At that time it was replaced under the warrauntee). No other problems, yet.
Darren
were do the magnets go on the Sienna to stop the brake squiral noise?
I'm very curious as to your magnet solution and how it changes the resonant frequency of the backing plates. Can you email to me photos of where you installed them? Is this something a novice DYI'er can install? My email is CJMANI@YAHOO.COM
thanks,
Christian Mani
Thanks.
Signs of possible engine sludge are:
Check engine light illuminates.
Smoke in exhaust, usually blue and at start up.
Heavy use of oil
Thick black ooze on dipstick or around filler cap.
There were several long discussion topics on Toyota sludge on Edmunds. Try doing a search using the key word "sludge".
So I purchased a Sienna 2002 because at the time the dealership was offering 0 financing for 3 years. This was the first I'd heard of it.
Anyway, my first problem (and not my last) I had to get my rotors changed at 32,000. "How could this be", I asked the service guy at the dealership. "It's a new car." His explanation was, "it could be your driving habits" or "not all the parts are made 100% the same way." So does it mean it's a defect to begin with, I'm thinking to myself. So they tried to resurface it, but for whatever reason, they couldn't. Therefore they had to replace the rotors. I was not happy about this, but I had them replaced without putting up a big fuss. Then 39,000 miles I had to get the same exact rotors replaced again! At this point I'm was mad as hell. The same explanation was given to me. I complained to the National Toyota several times and they said they would get in contact with the customer relations person of that dealership. I never heard from them. No letters, no calls.
After having the rotors replaced the first time, I still had the feeling that the car was not running right. I brought the car in again and then was then told that it was the rotors AGAIN and that they would have to be replaced a second time. Believing what they told me, I had the rotors replaced again. I was told that everything was fixed and I should be all set because they took it for a test drive and everything checked out fine. Shortly, after driving the "fixed" Sienna off the lot, I noticed that he problem was still there. I immediately called them back. They asked me to bring in the van and have a test drive with one of the managers there. So I did. It didn't take him very long to figure out what was wrong. This time they said it was my wheel bearings! I asked him why it was not diagnosed at the last visit. His answer to me was, "I don't know, I was not there." I wonder if these technicians who worked on my car really knew what they are doing.
So far I've had quite a bit of work on my car and I'm beginning to wonder if this is a quality vehicle Owning my first new car has been one disappointment after another. My trust in Toyota is gone. I talked with friends and family members who own Toyota cars and they are very surprised that I'm having so many problems with my new car.
After numerous complaints to the National headquarters,I finally got in touch the customer relation representative at the dealership. She denied of getting any memos from National Toyota office. I briefly explained my concerns and looked for answers. She did expressed some understanding about my frustration and said she would look into it. She said she would get in touch with her supervisor and figure out what was wrong with the car through all my visits. She said she would get back to me. After several weeks I still had not heard back from her. I got no response.
I just want some answers to why I'm having these problems with a new Toyota car. Any suggestion would be helpful or should I pursue arbitration for this matter?
I also have the same squealing problem on my 2002 Sienna Symphony. Can you email me the directions and some pics of the installation? Thanks alot! My email is beaveman145@hotmail.com
I had a 30,000 maintenance done. As part of this maintenance, Toyota service tech. had checked the brake lining/drums and brake pads/discs. At 32,000 miles I had the front rotors replaced due to heavy pulsation. Would that problem be detected back then during the 30,000 maintenance? I'm not a mechanic, but I personally would think so. Am I right?
thank you for your input on the rotors. i have another question to you or anyone else can answer my question. like i said i had the rotors changed at 32,000 miles. i was not happy that i had to get it replaced so soon. i am a gentle driver. i don't drag race or go slamming on my brakes or riding my brakes all the time. at 39,000 miles later i had to get the same rotors replaced. i asked toyota service guy "how could it be that i had to get it replaced the second time?" his answer to me was that it could have been a defective part from the manufacture. this was one of the explaination he gave the first time around. what are the chances of this happening to me twice in the row. What do you or anyone else think about this? soon after that, maybe at 40,000 miles i had to get my wheel bearings replaced. i thought wheel bearings are suppose to last longer then that. any info on wheel bearing or bad experience with this let me know. thanks!
I'm not following what you said above. Did you mean that you had a 3rd set of rotors put on at 39000 mi or at 39000 miles later (i.e., 71000 miles)? If you had them replaced at 39000 miles, I would suggest that they should still be under warranty, which might explain why your mechanic speculated that this set was defective. In my opinin, rotors are a very important piece of the stopping system of the car. They are notorious for wear and susceptable to all manner damage because of the environment in which they exist, but quality should be right up there. Did they install Toyota parts or aftermarket? I'm assuming this work was done at a Toyota dealership.
Other questions; did you own this van since new or buy it used or was it a demonstrator? Did they explain why wheel bearings needed to be replaced? You the only driver? Ever been in an accident or bump the curb? Did they replace the bearings on just one side or both? What were the symptoms that made you bring it back in for the 3rd set of rotors? All this work sounds a bit fishy to me.