raphytaffy

Hi all, my mom's ES330's brakes are making a sound so the pads are probably due to be replaced. I was able to find this video guide:
Is this as straightforward as it seems? A few questions I have for those who have done the process:
1. How hard should you compress the caliper? It seems that he compresses it quite a bit, but I don't want to risk damaging anything.
2. I didn't see him install the metal spring that usually comes with brake pads to warn the user when their pads are becoming thin. Is this tricky to install?
3. How can I tell if the rotors need to be replaced as well?

Lastly, can anyone recommend a good site where I can buy OEM brake pads? Thanks!

BDSL

If you have never worked on cars before, please have someone that knows how to do it with you.
It is not hard. But if you don't know what you are doing, your can damage something or risk your mom's and other's life.

But to answer your questions.
1. It is not hard. You can compress the piston with a big c-clamp. For new pads, you will have to compress the pistons all the way. Do only one piston at a time. Check of brake fluid over flow...
2. The brake wear indicator comes with most pads. It is not tricky.
3. You have to check the rotor's thickness.

LeX2K

Changing pads is very straightforward one of the easiest repairs you can do on a car. The caliper will compress with moderate pressure, you can't do it by hand but a C-clamp should easily be able to move the piston. It takes experience to know when a rotor needs replacing, but you can look for the obvious stuff like grooves, or glazing meaning the rotor is very shiny. If your brakes work well currently and you don't get any pulsating in the pedal then the rotors are probably fine.

Don't do what the guy did in the video wear gloves. The wear sensor you're talking about can be transferred from the old pads to the new. Here's a parts rundown:

brake pads 04465-33280
shim kit 04945-33070 (you can re-use the old ones depending on condition. Also comes with the wear indicators)
fitting kit 04947-33180 (these are the clips that hold the pads in the caliper, you may or may not need these)

Google the part numbers and also search them up on Ebay.

raphytaffy

I change my own oil and have recently put in a new starter in this car, but have never put in new brake pads. It seems straightforward enough, I just wanted to know in advance any tips/tricks I should be aware of. For instance, will the brake fluid always leak out or how can I prevent that?

Awesome! Just what I was looking for. From your experience, does the shim kit usually need to be replaced? She's currently at 152k miles. Also, would you suggest getting the fitting kit as well?

LeX2K

Hard to say, if the hardware is original then it might be in poor shape. But you are in California so no rust issues. Only way to be sure is have a look at them, the fitting kit aka clips they can be used over and over again. You will need some high temp grease (they make grease specifically for brakes) to go between the shims and pads, and it also goes on the clips. Use it sparingly none can get on the friction surface.

raphytaffy

This statement kind of scares me. What happens if I get some of the grease on the friction surface?

LeX2K

Then you clean it off with something like acetone or rubbing alcohol. It's not a big deal at all just don't touch the friction surfaces with greasy hands.

Fritz330

Check the back caliper float pins. Mine were hopelessly seized and I had to replace both calipers. This greatly complicated the job.

raphytaffy

Sorry, I'm kind of unfamiliar with the terminology. Are the caliper float pins the place where you put in the warning springs for the brake pads?

LeX2K

Search Youtube for caliper slide pins you'll get the idea. You must use the correct grease, best is Toyota rubber grease part number 08887-01206. 2nd best and still very good is Sil-Glyde NAPA carries it among other places. 3M Silicone paste is also very good but quite difficult to find. Do NOT use any of the Permatex products they are all junk for slide pins, the only exception I know of is the Permatex red silicone grease but most places don't have it. Use the Sil-Glyde instead.

raphytaffy

This is all great info! Thanks so much, I think I have enough to get started. One more silly question: are the front and rear brake pads the same part number?

LeX2K

Completely different pads. I found two part numbers for the rear pads not sure which is correct. If you want to know exactly go to Lexuspartsnow.com and enter your VIN number.

rear pads

04466-33090 MARK AK PA544
04466-33140 MARK AK PA561

Shim kit
04946-33020
Fitting kit
04948-33020

raphytaffy

You da man! Seriously though, tremendous help. I'm sure I'll have more questions when I actually install them, so I may pop back in here with pictures of my rotors, etc. to make sure I'm not screwing anything up.

pauloil

do one side at a time, and pay close attn to the mounting hardware. you can bleed the fluid and change to new with the help of a friend, who can pump it out using the pedal.

speedkar9

Brakes are pretty easy to change, as long as you follow all the precautions.

Be prepared before hand with a wire brush to clean up the calipers and brake cleaner for the rotors and other parts. You'll need a lubricant for the slider pins and anti-seize for the bolts and pads.

Rotors need to be replaced if there's severe rusting, grooves, wearing thin or they're warped, which is usually accompanied by a pulsation in the brake pedal. Nevertheless its sometimes a good idea to replace pads and rotors together as the old pads have ground into the old rotors and the new pads will have to set into those grooves.

Here's the front brakes:


And the rear brakes:


It might also be a good time to flush the brake fluid since your car has high mileage. Here's a video on how that is done: