DIY Brake Pads
05-14-11, 02:35 PM
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DIY Brake Pads
OK guys. Need a little help.
Always thought of myself as fairly handy but would never have attemped a brake pad change on my LS430. That was until I read on this forum how easy it is. I made up my mind I would do it when the time comes. Unfortunately that time came sooner than I wanted, as the brake wear light came on, before I had a chance to check the wear. When I did check, the fronts are OK, the back need changing and the wear sensor is bad. I have read about soldering the ends of the sensor together or replacing it at about 100 bucks. I am kind of **** and like everything to work as new so I will probably replace it. My question is how do you remove the sensor and replace it, or if I were going remove it and have it soldered? Seems like a continueous set of wires that disappear into never land. Sorry for asking a dumb question as it is probably very simple.
Thanks in advance.
Always thought of myself as fairly handy but would never have attemped a brake pad change on my LS430. That was until I read on this forum how easy it is. I made up my mind I would do it when the time comes. Unfortunately that time came sooner than I wanted, as the brake wear light came on, before I had a chance to check the wear. When I did check, the fronts are OK, the back need changing and the wear sensor is bad. I have read about soldering the ends of the sensor together or replacing it at about 100 bucks. I am kind of **** and like everything to work as new so I will probably replace it. My question is how do you remove the sensor and replace it, or if I were going remove it and have it soldered? Seems like a continueous set of wires that disappear into never land. Sorry for asking a dumb question as it is probably very simple.
Thanks in advance.
05-15-11, 08:10 AM
#2
you will see the break in the wire when you take your wheel off.just reconnect the wire in anyway that you are comfortable with.easy fix
Last edited by jimbosr1; 05-15-11 at 03:21 PM.
05-15-11, 01:49 PM
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05-15-11, 01:59 PM
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First and foremost, the sensor is only on the passenger side front rear.
When you pull the pad out you will see the sensor wire. To remove you will find where the sensor attaches on the pad and you will see the clip that holds it on.
Remove the clip by pushing up on the clip to slide off the pad. Once the clip is removed, the sensor slides off the pad.
Installation is the reverse, just be sure NOT to lose the clip, it is very small. Also take care not to use any tools to remove, just your fingers, you do not want to bend the metal any, if you do, just bend it back so it holds the sensor tightly.
When you pull the pad out you will see the sensor wire. To remove you will find where the sensor attaches on the pad and you will see the clip that holds it on.
Remove the clip by pushing up on the clip to slide off the pad. Once the clip is removed, the sensor slides off the pad.
Installation is the reverse, just be sure NOT to lose the clip, it is very small. Also take care not to use any tools to remove, just your fingers, you do not want to bend the metal any, if you do, just bend it back so it holds the sensor tightly.
05-15-11, 03:58 PM
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First and foremost, the sensor is only on the passenger side front rear.
When you pull the pad out you will see the sensor wire. To remove you will find where the sensor attaches on the pad and you will see the clip that holds it on.
Remove the clip by pushing up on the clip to slide off the pad. Once the clip is removed, the sensor slides off the pad.
Installation is the reverse, just be sure NOT to lose the clip, it is very small. Also take care not to use any tools to remove, just your fingers, you do not want to bend the metal any, if you do, just bend it back so it holds the sensor tightly.
When you pull the pad out you will see the sensor wire. To remove you will find where the sensor attaches on the pad and you will see the clip that holds it on.
Remove the clip by pushing up on the clip to slide off the pad. Once the clip is removed, the sensor slides off the pad.
Installation is the reverse, just be sure NOT to lose the clip, it is very small. Also take care not to use any tools to remove, just your fingers, you do not want to bend the metal any, if you do, just bend it back so it holds the sensor tightly.
05-15-11, 04:12 PM
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I understand your specific question but don't have an answer. I just did my rear pads but did not look at sensor attachment point as mine was intact. You are asking how to disconnect the wire end of the sensor not the sensor end that is clipped to the brake pad.
If you buy the replacement sensor make sure you get the specific front or back correct part and as long as you get the exact correct part it should be pretty obvious how and where the sensor is disconnected by looking at the wire connection end on the new replacement sensor.
If all else fails you could just clip the old sensor wires and solder on the new sensor and insulate with heat shrink tubing. But my guess is the new part will make it easy to tell how and where it is disconnected.
If you buy the replacement sensor make sure you get the specific front or back correct part and as long as you get the exact correct part it should be pretty obvious how and where the sensor is disconnected by looking at the wire connection end on the new replacement sensor.
If all else fails you could just clip the old sensor wires and solder on the new sensor and insulate with heat shrink tubing. But my guess is the new part will make it easy to tell how and where it is disconnected.
05-15-11, 08:18 PM
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I understand your specific question but don't have an answer. I just did my rear pads but did not look at sensor attachment point as mine was intact. You are asking how to disconnect the wire end of the sensor not the sensor end that is clipped to the brake pad.
If you buy the replacement sensor make sure you get the specific front or back correct part and as long as you get the exact correct part it should be pretty obvious how and where the sensor is disconnected by looking at the wire connection end on the new replacement sensor.
If all else fails you could just clip the old sensor wires and solder on the new sensor and insulate with heat shrink tubing. But my guess is the new part will make it easy to tell how and where it is disconnected.
If you buy the replacement sensor make sure you get the specific front or back correct part and as long as you get the exact correct part it should be pretty obvious how and where the sensor is disconnected by looking at the wire connection end on the new replacement sensor.
If all else fails you could just clip the old sensor wires and solder on the new sensor and insulate with heat shrink tubing. But my guess is the new part will make it easy to tell how and where it is disconnected.
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05-16-11, 08:52 AM
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05-28-11, 07:14 PM
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OK I did it. As in the picture of the new sensor, after about a 16 inches it does plug in. I removed the old sensor and solder the two wires together for a spare. It is a very easy fix. I did use an aftermarket sensor found on e-bay for 29 dollars including shipping.
05-28-11, 08:22 PM
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Cool, glad it worked out for you. The brake pads on the Lexus are amazingly easy to work on.
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