Rotors
10-14-13, 05:03 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Rotors
Looking to purchase new pads and rotors for my 04 LS430. I currently have drilled slotted and they sound horrible when I brake. I think I may go back to stock but oem are expensive. Any idea on quality pads and rotors?
10-15-13, 12:36 PM
#4
Instructor
I also believe OEM are best. At parts.com, front pads (04465-50240) and rear (04466-50091) are $51.80 each, front rotor (43512-50220) $65.81, rear (42431-50070) $85.65.
You may find better prices at the other online stores at https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...tanvandam.html
My 2002 had 2 pad changes: one at 40000km/4yrs, another at 80000km/8yrs, new front rotors at 85000km/8yrs, and 4-wheel caliper clean+lube at 96500km/9yrs.
Almost 40000km on my current OEM pads and 35000 on the OEM front rotors - everything working perfectly so far, no noise, vibration, or brake fade. Will check pad life when I change to winter tires in the next 1-2 months.
I think the front rotors should have lasted longer than 85000km before warping. Hard to find an on-car brake lathe in my area, so I just replaced the rotors. Some things I've been doing to improve rotor life:
1) making sure to brake as early and as gently as possible across a longer distance when needing to stop. Better to spread the brake force over time and distance to avoid rapid temperature changes and pad material transfer.
2) use as little braking force as possible to hold the car at a stop (uneven material buildup on the rotor can start/accelerate the warping cycle)
3) hand-torquing tire lugs evenly to exact OEM spec (76ft-lbs) - never have lugs blasted in with an air wrench
4) use hub-centering rings with lug-centric winter rims
5) wash winter road salt off the rotors weekly
6) NEVER wash the rotors when they're hot
You may find better prices at the other online stores at https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...tanvandam.html
My 2002 had 2 pad changes: one at 40000km/4yrs, another at 80000km/8yrs, new front rotors at 85000km/8yrs, and 4-wheel caliper clean+lube at 96500km/9yrs.
Almost 40000km on my current OEM pads and 35000 on the OEM front rotors - everything working perfectly so far, no noise, vibration, or brake fade. Will check pad life when I change to winter tires in the next 1-2 months.
I think the front rotors should have lasted longer than 85000km before warping. Hard to find an on-car brake lathe in my area, so I just replaced the rotors. Some things I've been doing to improve rotor life:
1) making sure to brake as early and as gently as possible across a longer distance when needing to stop. Better to spread the brake force over time and distance to avoid rapid temperature changes and pad material transfer.
2) use as little braking force as possible to hold the car at a stop (uneven material buildup on the rotor can start/accelerate the warping cycle)
3) hand-torquing tire lugs evenly to exact OEM spec (76ft-lbs) - never have lugs blasted in with an air wrench
4) use hub-centering rings with lug-centric winter rims
5) wash winter road salt off the rotors weekly
6) NEVER wash the rotors when they're hot
10-15-13, 01:48 PM
#5
I would recommend OEM if you don't want anything fancy like slotted rotors.
As far as aftermarket stuff goes iRotors were pretty big in the Lexus SC community and they're pretty good alternatives to OEM. Adamsrotors is another option if you want a nice set of customizable rotors at a good price. I think Brembo also makes blank rotors for our cars as well.
As far as aftermarket stuff goes iRotors were pretty big in the Lexus SC community and they're pretty good alternatives to OEM. Adamsrotors is another option if you want a nice set of customizable rotors at a good price. I think Brembo also makes blank rotors for our cars as well.
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10-17-13, 05:40 AM
#10
switch your pads if youre getting noise...dont use cheap ones because they squeal (from glazing over) after a while 
have your rotors resurfaced whenever u change the pads. Youre not going to find a huge difference in rotor manufacturing outside of any non-corrosive coatings, colors and slot/drill design. The biggest thing u can do is upgrade the pad u use
fyi: you will never realize the potential of your slotted / drilled rotors on a car like the LS...unless youre hitting the track. Daily driving wont heat them enough to actually "need" slotted/ drilled rotors.
But they look great!!!
...again just get decent pads and have the rotors re-surfaced and you'll be trouble free
have your rotors resurfaced whenever u change the pads. Youre not going to find a huge difference in rotor manufacturing outside of any non-corrosive coatings, colors and slot/drill design. The biggest thing u can do is upgrade the pad u use
fyi: you will never realize the potential of your slotted / drilled rotors on a car like the LS...unless youre hitting the track. Daily driving wont heat them enough to actually "need" slotted/ drilled rotors.
But they look great!!!
...again just get decent pads and have the rotors re-surfaced and you'll be trouble free
10-17-13, 08:52 AM
#11
switch your pads if youre getting noise...dont use cheap ones because they squeal (from glazing over) after a while
have your rotors resurfaced whenever u change the pads. Youre not going to find a huge difference in rotor manufacturing outside of any non-corrosive coatings, colors and slot/drill design. The biggest thing u can do is upgrade the pad u use
fyi: you will never realize the potential of your slotted / drilled rotors on a car like the LS...unless youre hitting the track. Daily driving wont heat them enough to actually "need" slotted/ drilled rotors.
But they look great!!!
...again just get decent pads and have the rotors re-surfaced and you'll be trouble free
have your rotors resurfaced whenever u change the pads. Youre not going to find a huge difference in rotor manufacturing outside of any non-corrosive coatings, colors and slot/drill design. The biggest thing u can do is upgrade the pad u use
fyi: you will never realize the potential of your slotted / drilled rotors on a car like the LS...unless youre hitting the track. Daily driving wont heat them enough to actually "need" slotted/ drilled rotors.
But they look great!!!
...again just get decent pads and have the rotors re-surfaced and you'll be trouble free
Is there a brand of pads you recommend? I was looking at ceramic pads since they don't produce as much dust. I've never used them so I'm not sure how well they compare to regular pads.
10-17-13, 02:23 PM
#13
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If you look at rockauto .com there is a selection of abot 25 or so different rotors broken into economy, I would skip those unless it is necessary, daily driver, I have used several of these on other vehicles, driven them hard with good results, Finally the performance variety, might be nice but not necessary.
As far as pads try rockauto.com's selection. OEM grade (not economy) might give the best overall performance for a casual driver. I like Centric premium Extended Wear (not sure if they have those for this car). The reason being is that they have a very flat performance curve, hot or cold they stop almost the same. Plus dust is not bad. oem type is very aggressive but generally assumes that you are not rally driving and so are biased to work best when cold, thus they may not work as well when hot. Performance pads are biased towards hot braking and as such will not work as well when cold. Ceramics work well and are usually do not produce that much dust. I put a set on the SL500, they work well but I don't have that many miles on them.
As far as pads try rockauto.com's selection. OEM grade (not economy) might give the best overall performance for a casual driver. I like Centric premium Extended Wear (not sure if they have those for this car). The reason being is that they have a very flat performance curve, hot or cold they stop almost the same. Plus dust is not bad. oem type is very aggressive but generally assumes that you are not rally driving and so are biased to work best when cold, thus they may not work as well when hot. Performance pads are biased towards hot braking and as such will not work as well when cold. Ceramics work well and are usually do not produce that much dust. I put a set on the SL500, they work well but I don't have that many miles on them.
10-17-13, 03:52 PM
#14
Do they all have a coating like the Centric to resist rust for so long? I had zero problems with them the techs liked em when I dropshipped em to the dealer, but again I thought lexus rotors where like over 100 bucks ea?
10-17-13, 04:33 PM
#15
Softer pads will be easier on your rotors. Much easier and cheaper to replace pads vs your rotors over the life of the brakes.
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Last edited by Lavrishevo; 10-17-13 at 04:37 PM.