Suspension creaking

[barryware]

It is not your suspension. It is your brakes.

Remove the drums, lubricate the sections of the shoes where they slide on the back plate as well as the pin at the very bottom opposite the brake cylinder (cylinder on top @ 12:00, one single large pin on the bottom @ 6:00). The pin is a large (1/2" diameter maybe??) which both shoes "pivot" on.

You may want to blow the dust off the springs and give them a shot of dry lube also.

If you let it get worse, you will be able to hear the "squeak" when you take your foot off the brake pedal and the shoes retract.

[ilikerice]

Originally Posted by barryware

It is not your suspension. It is your brakes.

Remove the drums, lubricate the sections of the shoes where they slide on the back plate as well as the pin at the very bottom opposite the brake cylinder (cylinder on top @ 12:00, one single large pin on the bottom @ 6:00). The pin is a large (1/2" diameter maybe??) which both shoes "pivot" on.

You may want to blow the dust off the springs and give them a shot of dry lube also.

If you let it get worse, you will be able to hear the "squeak" when you take your foot off the brake pedal and the shoes retract.

this is also possible... but considering its a 2011..., if your not that mechanicaly inclined, and dont have a spare car to use, I would get someone else to do this.

Depending on the miles, is it under 40k still? I would say this is a warranty issue also.. take it to the dealership and have a service writer ride with you to confirm the noise. If they agree that there is an issue, then they should take care of it.

If it is the brakes, let the toyota guys get thier hands dirty and save you the headache

[mazilla]

Originally Posted by barryware

It is not your suspension. It is your brakes.

Remove the drums, lubricate the sections of the shoes where they slide on the back plate as well as the pin at the very bottom opposite the brake cylinder (cylinder on top @ 12:00, one single large pin on the bottom @ 6:00). The pin is a large (1/2" diameter maybe??) which both shoes "pivot" on.

You may want to blow the dust off the springs and give them a shot of dry lube also.

If you let it get worse, you will be able to hear the "squeak" when you take your foot off the brake pedal and the shoes retract.

In my case, it's not the brakes...I know the difference between the two, and I've already fixed the brake noise on mine(for the time being).

OP, don't go taking your brakes apart just yet...

[barryware]

Originally Posted by mazilla

In my case, it's not the brakes...I know the difference between the two, and I've already fixed the brake noise on mine(for the time being).

OP, don't go taking your brakes apart just yet...

Well.. neither of us can "hear" the noise so it impresses me that you can tell the difference. Based on the description of the noise, actually the events that trigger the noise were exactly my symptoms and it was my brakes. I took nothing apart aside from wheel and drum removal. I just lubricated the contact points where the shoes slide on the back plate, the pin, and cleaned and lubricated the springs... Noise all gone. However, about 8k miles later, I can hear it starting again. Mostly during (after) a hard stop.

The noise happens after the stop (split second), when the vehicle wants to roll backward while the brakes are engaged and the shoes shift.

However as mentioned.. New car (2011) still under warranty, take it in.