GS300 2006 Brake Caliper Malfunction
02-18-12, 08:49 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: FL
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GS300 2006 Brake Caliper Malfunction
Vehicle: GS300 2006. Delivery Date: 06/20/05
I hope the following history will bring some light for people facing similar symptoms.
January 16, 2009. Lexus call for special service campaign (SSC) 9LB, Rear Brake Caliper Inspection.
February 10, 2009. Lexus of West Kendall Miami, conducts service campaign on vehicle with 58.904 miles. It lists in the final invoice that part 04007-49330 was used as part of the repairs. However, the service campaign is clear on the fact that vehicles delivered before December 2005 should use part 04007-49230. The difference is the boot shape used to cover the slide pins. Of course, I did not know that at the time the repair took place or how that could have affected my repairs.
April 2011. I start hearing a solid noise in the back of the car as I go through rough pavement. The noise will go away if the break pedal is pressed.
April 29, 2011. Car is at 91.455 miles. The noise becomes more noticeable so I decided to take the car for service at the same location. The final invoice quotes: "Cust states there is a ranoise as if something loose from rear when going over bumps. Found something loose in trunk, secured item in trunk - noise went away". As I drove out fro the dealer I noticed the noise again. However, I was convinced that something was loose in the rear back of the car. So for the next few weeks I went from body shop to another trying to figure out what was loose.
May 25, 2011. I notice a reduction on braking efficiency so I decided to take the car to the dealer again. This time a different mechanic inspects the car. The final invoice quotes: " Cust states there is a noise from rear suspension area. Advice: Found left rear caliper assy locking up. Necessary to replace left rear caliper assy.". Cost of repair: $459. The locking up was basically the slide pin not moving at all because of excessive rust.
September 3, 2011. Started hearing a similar noise in the back. Took the car to the dealer for LOF. The noise was not too bad so I request the service consultant to inspect it. After a few minutes he comes back and tells me that the rear brakes do not have shims and that is what is causing the noise. I accept the fact that I did the brake pads the last time in a local shop near home and they might have forgotten to put on the shims. Shims are ordered and the car goes into service. When I about to leave I see the same mechanic that did the left rear caliper back in May so I ask him if he can go and check it. After a few minutes he comes back and tells me and the service consultant that the right rear caliper is broken. Final quote states: "Found right rear caliper broken. Needs caliper. Cust declined work at this time. Veh is not safe to drive". It was a weekend and the service consultant said he did not have loaners. So I decided to go home and wait until they have loaners. In the mean time I started investigating more the issue.
September 7, 2011. With 98.570 miles, the car is repaired and in the mean time I have long conversation with the service manager and Lexus corporate trying to find an explanation on how the campaign carried out in 2009 to prevent the caliper slide pins from frozen due to rust did not do anything to prevent my both rear calipers from doing exactly that. I was told several times that the malfunction was due to normal wear and nothing to do with the campaign. At the end, after a long discussion and really poor and rude customer service from the dealer, they agreed to lower the bill to $291.75.
January, 2012. With 103.000ish miles, I started to hear a weird noise in the front left wheel as I break. It sounded like when you open an old door with rusty hinges. After a few days, braking efficiency drops considerably. Today, February 18 2012 with 106.512 miles I decided to take the car to a honest mechanic known by the family. After the last confrontation with the dealer I decided never again to take the car over there again. He services the front brakes and the first thing he founds is that the slide pins on the left front caliper are frozen due to rust. The slides pins in the front right caliper are barely moving but also heavily rusted. Instead of suggesting to change the whole caliper housing (as the dealer did in both cases) this guy takes a heating device and manage to free the slide pins. Next he brushes out the rust and add plenty of Glycol grease and replace the boots. Problem solved. Final invoice including resurfacing the rotors and installing new pads (which I provided) : $100.
GS300 2006 Lexus owners beware. There is something wrong on the design of the calipers that result in severe rusting of the slide pins. Make sure that the slide pins are serviced every single time you replace your pads (that is, removed, brushed and greased). Otherwise you are doomed to problems. As for Lexus, they could care less. For a $54000 car, you should consider normal that your four calipers malfunction at around 100K miles. And at the end of the day, it is not like is a critical component of the car. Its only the mechanism that keep you and your family safe.
Other minor issues on my history file (most covered by warranty)
*11/08/07 40K miles: Both passenger mirrors failed to operate. One is replaced the other not because is not "totally broken".
*11/27/07 40K miles: Car is flooded and all carpets stained due to a clogged evap hose.
*02/10/09 58K miles: Headlights aim too low.Charged $60 to raise level. To this day this is still an issue.
*04/16/2010 75K miles: Cam gears started making noise again (after campaign). Replaced again.
*04/16/2010 75K miles: Leak on heater water pump. Pump replaced.
* 08/24/10 77K miles: replaced idler pulley and tensioner (not covered by warranty)
* 08/24/10 77K miles: replaced drivers seat belt due to lack of re tractability.
Other little malfunctions:
* VSC engine light came up and was charged $$$ for performing gas tests to later find out it was the gas cap.
* At 80K HID lamps started to flicker. Ended up changing both myself after dealer wanted $$$$ for the job.
* At 100K perforated leather of driver seat gives up. Even though I always put leather conditioner at each car wash.
* Since about 60K miles a loud metal rattling noise coming from the back window becomes my companion every time the weather changes abruptly.
This is my first and last Lexus vehicle. I guess the search for perfection is still in progress
I hope the following history will bring some light for people facing similar symptoms.
January 16, 2009. Lexus call for special service campaign (SSC) 9LB, Rear Brake Caliper Inspection.
February 10, 2009. Lexus of West Kendall Miami, conducts service campaign on vehicle with 58.904 miles. It lists in the final invoice that part 04007-49330 was used as part of the repairs. However, the service campaign is clear on the fact that vehicles delivered before December 2005 should use part 04007-49230. The difference is the boot shape used to cover the slide pins. Of course, I did not know that at the time the repair took place or how that could have affected my repairs.
April 2011. I start hearing a solid noise in the back of the car as I go through rough pavement. The noise will go away if the break pedal is pressed.
April 29, 2011. Car is at 91.455 miles. The noise becomes more noticeable so I decided to take the car for service at the same location. The final invoice quotes: "Cust states there is a ranoise as if something loose from rear when going over bumps. Found something loose in trunk, secured item in trunk - noise went away". As I drove out fro the dealer I noticed the noise again. However, I was convinced that something was loose in the rear back of the car. So for the next few weeks I went from body shop to another trying to figure out what was loose.
May 25, 2011. I notice a reduction on braking efficiency so I decided to take the car to the dealer again. This time a different mechanic inspects the car. The final invoice quotes: " Cust states there is a noise from rear suspension area. Advice: Found left rear caliper assy locking up. Necessary to replace left rear caliper assy.". Cost of repair: $459. The locking up was basically the slide pin not moving at all because of excessive rust.
September 3, 2011. Started hearing a similar noise in the back. Took the car to the dealer for LOF. The noise was not too bad so I request the service consultant to inspect it. After a few minutes he comes back and tells me that the rear brakes do not have shims and that is what is causing the noise. I accept the fact that I did the brake pads the last time in a local shop near home and they might have forgotten to put on the shims. Shims are ordered and the car goes into service. When I about to leave I see the same mechanic that did the left rear caliper back in May so I ask him if he can go and check it. After a few minutes he comes back and tells me and the service consultant that the right rear caliper is broken. Final quote states: "Found right rear caliper broken. Needs caliper. Cust declined work at this time. Veh is not safe to drive". It was a weekend and the service consultant said he did not have loaners. So I decided to go home and wait until they have loaners. In the mean time I started investigating more the issue.
September 7, 2011. With 98.570 miles, the car is repaired and in the mean time I have long conversation with the service manager and Lexus corporate trying to find an explanation on how the campaign carried out in 2009 to prevent the caliper slide pins from frozen due to rust did not do anything to prevent my both rear calipers from doing exactly that. I was told several times that the malfunction was due to normal wear and nothing to do with the campaign. At the end, after a long discussion and really poor and rude customer service from the dealer, they agreed to lower the bill to $291.75.
January, 2012. With 103.000ish miles, I started to hear a weird noise in the front left wheel as I break. It sounded like when you open an old door with rusty hinges. After a few days, braking efficiency drops considerably. Today, February 18 2012 with 106.512 miles I decided to take the car to a honest mechanic known by the family. After the last confrontation with the dealer I decided never again to take the car over there again. He services the front brakes and the first thing he founds is that the slide pins on the left front caliper are frozen due to rust. The slides pins in the front right caliper are barely moving but also heavily rusted. Instead of suggesting to change the whole caliper housing (as the dealer did in both cases) this guy takes a heating device and manage to free the slide pins. Next he brushes out the rust and add plenty of Glycol grease and replace the boots. Problem solved. Final invoice including resurfacing the rotors and installing new pads (which I provided) : $100.
GS300 2006 Lexus owners beware. There is something wrong on the design of the calipers that result in severe rusting of the slide pins. Make sure that the slide pins are serviced every single time you replace your pads (that is, removed, brushed and greased). Otherwise you are doomed to problems. As for Lexus, they could care less. For a $54000 car, you should consider normal that your four calipers malfunction at around 100K miles. And at the end of the day, it is not like is a critical component of the car. Its only the mechanism that keep you and your family safe.
Other minor issues on my history file (most covered by warranty)
*11/08/07 40K miles: Both passenger mirrors failed to operate. One is replaced the other not because is not "totally broken".
*11/27/07 40K miles: Car is flooded and all carpets stained due to a clogged evap hose.
*02/10/09 58K miles: Headlights aim too low.Charged $60 to raise level. To this day this is still an issue.
*04/16/2010 75K miles: Cam gears started making noise again (after campaign). Replaced again.
*04/16/2010 75K miles: Leak on heater water pump. Pump replaced.
* 08/24/10 77K miles: replaced idler pulley and tensioner (not covered by warranty)
* 08/24/10 77K miles: replaced drivers seat belt due to lack of re tractability.
Other little malfunctions:
* VSC engine light came up and was charged $$$ for performing gas tests to later find out it was the gas cap.
* At 80K HID lamps started to flicker. Ended up changing both myself after dealer wanted $$$$ for the job.
* At 100K perforated leather of driver seat gives up. Even though I always put leather conditioner at each car wash.
* Since about 60K miles a loud metal rattling noise coming from the back window becomes my companion every time the weather changes abruptly.
This is my first and last Lexus vehicle. I guess the search for perfection is still in progress
02-18-12, 09:24 PM
#2
Well honestly gs is not the only car with this problem, my friends gx470 had same issues but with front brakes. A lot of toyotas and lexus that shared that same caliper is also known for it. My rear left caliper was frozen twice; unfrozen lubed twice by my mechanic and never an issue again. The right one took a crap on me and i had the dealer replace it. No problems since it was replaced. I keep a very close eye to the both of the calipers so no issue there.
02-18-12, 09:36 PM
#3
Okay, now I know it's not just my car. I was doing the rear brakes this past weekend and noticed the left rear caliper would not slide, upon further inspection found out that the slide pin had snapped
. Ordering a new caliper. I have a 2006 GS430 with 104,000 miles.
. Ordering a new caliper. I have a 2006 GS430 with 104,000 miles.
02-18-12, 10:20 PM
#5
Front slide pins seize up all the time. This is the case more often than not. A hammer and punch pops them out ASAP. Anti-seize on them prevents it from happening again
If you're the DIY type, cleaning and lubing the rear slides every so often will save you some cash. Use Sil-Glide.
Edit: just a note: the design of the front and rear calipers are totally different, and even though the term "slide pin" is used, they are of a totally different design. The fronts, if stuck, can be unstuck with a hammer. The rears cannot and require a caliper to fix the issue. Unsticking the rears with a hammer will result in a broken caliper bracket.
If you're the DIY type, cleaning and lubing the rear slides every so often will save you some cash. Use Sil-Glide.
Edit: just a note: the design of the front and rear calipers are totally different, and even though the term "slide pin" is used, they are of a totally different design. The fronts, if stuck, can be unstuck with a hammer. The rears cannot and require a caliper to fix the issue. Unsticking the rears with a hammer will result in a broken caliper bracket.
Last edited by RandomTech; 02-18-12 at 10:24 PM.
02-22-12, 11:02 AM
#6
so because of a bunch of wear and tear items, your writing lexus off? i agree the mechanic should have probably checked the calipers better but its not uncommon for a caliper to seize.
Trending Topics
02-26-12, 09:29 AM
#8
in 2009 there was a service campaign (not a recall) to replace the slide pin (not slide bolt) on the rear calipers. Oddly enough, Lexus has encountered far more seized caliper pins due to the recall than they would have had they just left it alone. After dealing with customer service, Lexus agreed to replace both my rear calipers even though the car was well out of warranty and the service campaign had been performed two years prior.
An easy resolve is to make sure the caliper bolts and pins are well greased every time you rotate your tires. I do all my pins and bolts 2x a year. At the same time I inspect the rubber boots to make sure that they are not dry and cracked. When water gets in thats when rust begins.
steviej.
An easy resolve is to make sure the caliper bolts and pins are well greased every time you rotate your tires. I do all my pins and bolts 2x a year. At the same time I inspect the rubber boots to make sure that they are not dry and cracked. When water gets in thats when rust begins.
steviej.
02-28-12, 12:18 PM
#9
i'm thinking of buying centric posi quiet calipers from tirerack to hopefully end this rear brake BS. i thought it was a new caliper but i see that centric is taking old calipers and refurbishing them but replacing bolts, pistons and seals. does anyone have any comments about this? do you think these refurbished calipers will hold out better and be worth spending $114 for a used caliper with pads?
02-28-12, 12:30 PM
#10
i'm thinking of buying centric posi quiet calipers from tirerack to hopefully end this rear brake BS. i thought it was a new caliper but i see that centric is taking old calipers and refurbishing them but replacing bolts, pistons and seals. does anyone have any comments about this? do you think these refurbished calipers will hold out better and be worth spending $114 for a used caliper with pads?
The following users liked this post:
samsonn25 (08-29-19)
02-28-12, 08:37 PM
#12
02-28-12, 11:54 PM
#13
Well here is the thing, I had a brand new caliper put on by lexus and its been almost a year without a problem. There must be some type of warranty tirerack offers on these calipers, its just a cheaper alternative. If money is not an issue I then suggest brand new caliper from sewellparts.com. Brand new is the best, then goes rebuild and only then a used one. From that order it matters how much you are willing to spend.
02-29-12, 07:06 AM
#14
money is definitely an issue. spending $280+ on just one rear caliper as opposed to 2 refurbished ones for a little less than that including new pads is a big difference. i'm gonna have a mechanic replace my pads and regrease the sliding bolt for me this weekend. hopefully i can learn how to do it from him so i can do it myself every other month from now on.
02-29-12, 08:26 AM
#15
Well its not about regreasing them every month, my mechanic regreased
Te caliper and it never came back. Make sure he cleans out all the rust, regreases the caliper and puts the booth back on tightely. Thats very important to prevent future problems.
Te caliper and it never came back. Make sure he cleans out all the rust, regreases the caliper and puts the booth back on tightely. Thats very important to prevent future problems.
