silver305

iTrader: (1)

I have owned my LS for almost 3 months now. I have owned many cars as i am sure many of you have. However, the brakes on this car are like a crossword puzzle i can't figure out. In the past when i had brake issues all i had to do was replace pads, rotors, bleed the system and they would be as good as new again.
Anyhow, i replaced my front brake rotors with brand new EBC drilled rotors and AKEBONO ceramic pads because i felt a slight "grabbing" of the brakes as i was slowing the car down from like 15mph down to 0mph Now, i thought it was me being OCD again with this car, but if my girlfriend who owns a 2012 ALTIMA tells me right after the first time she drives the car that the brakes feel weird like if the car comes to a halt but not smoothly. I laughed because i didnt think she would notice it and that is why i had done the front brakes. Dont get me wrong, the front brakes did alleviate the problem from where it was, but not completely healed it.
Here is my question, IS THIS my rear brakes doing this now? or is it simply the fact that the electronic brake system on this car simply WILL NEVER feel like the vacuum brakes on the rest of the lexus lineup?? Are you all suffering the same weird grabbing of the brakes from time to time?
I certainly don't want to go fork out another $500 dollars for rear pads, rotors and labor and find out that the damn brakes are pretty much the same because that is just simply how these car's brake system is..

brianlin87

iTrader: (11)

I was displeased with my stock brakes, so I upgraded to a Brembo GT BBK. Personally I feel like the stock brakes were severely under powered considering the weight of the vehicle.

Lextrician

i dont notice the lack of brakes maybe its me but with wheels I haven't noticed the lack of them. I thought they were okay but could need some upgrade maybe its just me.

FLYCT

The LS460 brakes are "different"

With light braking I think some of the grabbing you are feeling is transmission downshifting when slowing from 35 MPH to 0 MPH. It is also not as easy to feather the brake just before coming to a full stop as it is with every other car I've driven.

The brakes also are more touchy than any other car I've driven. Saying all that I have learned to subconsciously adapt and it no longer is an issue.

What is more concerning to me is the sensitivity of the throttle. The car is a rocket ship with a sensitive throttle. I occasionally go into snow mode to desensitize the gas pedal.

One thing I do with my cars is to go full throttle when entering the on ramps of highway. I love the acceleration of the LS.

JR

Dawa

iTrader: (5)

you want better braking, get better tires.

Grouchy

iTrader: (1)

Really? I always tell people I drive my car like Bowser from Mario Kart. Start slow but get my momentum. I think the car has pretty bad acceleration. When I push it and all it does is waste gas. So I just coast until I get momentum and then haul ***. Hahah

ssrfenton

We have been reading about this subject and as per the reviews on YouTube of the 2013 LS the issue does not seem like tires, rotors or pads. It seems like it is the electric calibration module. The calibration is set up in such a way it just grabs and makes it difficult to modulate as per a vacuum system.

Not even sure if there is any fix except using the customer feedback complaint process at a Lexus dealership. Maybe that triggers a software update. Here hoping for a smoother pedal feel.

lsdude

I test drove a CPO 2007 LS and it had a pulsating feel while braking. The sales manager told me that's from owners automatically placing their parking brake on all the time. This creates an indent on the rotors. Does this sound legit or BS?

jmcraney

No on the "legit." And yes on the BS. The parking brake is a drum apparatus that uses shoes.

Silverpaws

The pulsation can usually be eliminated by turning the rotors(makes them smooth) or replacing them. You should tell the sales manager that while you are telling him that he is BS'ing you.

tovu228

Brakes on the 2007-2012 LS aren't great. Edmund's review stated the same thing. Changing the brakes to bigger LS sports brakes or brembo is the only options.

ssrfenton

Turning rotors is best achieved on the Pro-Cut on vehicle method. This ensures 100% true run out and includes any hub variance. Here is a link that answers your question.

http://www.procutinternational.com/zipfind.aspx