LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

How often do you replace brakes (rotors and pads)?

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Old 08-11-14, 03:46 PM
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97-SC300
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Default How often do you replace brakes (rotors and pads)?

How often do you find yourself replacing the rotors/pads on LS430?

Is it roughly every 30-40k miles because it's such a large and heavy car?

Please share your experience.
Old 08-11-14, 08:00 PM
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Bocatrip
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50,000 miles sounds about right for pads and resurfacing rotors. I have 114,000 miles with the second set of pads and probably should be replacing my front rotors due to intermittent shudder.
Old 08-11-14, 10:44 PM
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SQuester
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My experience has been that these cars have STELLAR braking systems.

My first brake pad change had over 85k miles on them, only installed new front pads, still on the original rotors all around and rear pads at 154k miles.
Old 08-12-14, 04:48 AM
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Lavrishevo
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My LS400 had its first break job after 13 years and 75k miles. Did not have to touch the rotors. No lip, nothing. Amazing. The LS430 is heavier for sure. My pads looked halfway done and they were installed by the previous owner 22k ago. I suggest staying with the softer oem pads. Your rotors will never have to be changed if you take care of the brakes.
Old 08-12-14, 05:58 AM
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ls430lover
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the brakes on our cars do last and wear well, i have experienced the difference between cutting and replacing the front rotors and the latter makes a big difference in performance, cut once maybe but for the true enthusiast replace the rotors you can find them for 90/piece online
i went thru 3 cuts each time after 5k having the same shimmy issue and stepped up felt completely like a different automobile
Old 08-12-14, 06:44 AM
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Boomer01
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The rear pads last much longer than the fronts (probably 2-3x longer). It's recommended to change them out when they get down to 3mm. I think the sensor will be cut at 2.5mm.

I have also tried to resurface the rotors and had nothing but problems. I would definitely recommend replacing them instead.
Old 08-12-14, 07:52 AM
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mattbeeezy
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I usually just take the tire off and see if its close to hitting the brake sensor. If your brakes burn through the sensor, thats $90 a piece, luckly its only on one side front/rear.
Old 08-12-14, 08:06 AM
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XJSFan
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My rear pads were first replaced via the service records at 72K miles and I myself did the front pads the first time at 79K miles. The fronts were still at 3 or 4mm... The original owner did a lot of rural/highway driving. I am probably going to be 90/10 highway so the brake pads will last a long time. I am also still using the original rotors that still look like new...
Old 08-12-14, 08:43 AM
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Tom57
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Originally Posted by mattbeeezy
I usually just take the tire off and see if its close to hitting the brake sensor. If your brakes burn through the sensor, thats $90 a piece, luckly its only on one side front/rear.
Brake sensor wire can be had for $14. http://www.ebay.com/itm/140864561820...84.m1436.l2649
Old 08-12-14, 02:10 PM
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Bocatrip
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It's true that the rotors on our cars don't hold up well. Replacement is the way to go to avoid unnecessary turning of the rotors only to see the shudder return.
Old 08-12-14, 05:09 PM
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LS430inDE.
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I'm on my 3rd set of front pads and 2nd set on rear pads. I do mostly suburban driving. Currently she has 120k on the odometer. I posted on a brake/rotor thread weeks ago that she's developed a shudder when braking hard. Can feel in the brake pedal and can SEE in the steering wheel as it wabbles about 1mm left and right very quickly. I purchased front rotors from Sewell and hope to change the front rotors this weekend. They are the original rotors.
Old 08-13-14, 02:15 PM
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1WILLY1
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mines on about 80 000 miles and I just recently replaced the original pads+sensors, the rotors were perfectly fine so I didn't need to do anything too them.
Old 08-15-14, 04:55 AM
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AlexusAnja
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Pad replacement is based on city or highway driving more than just pure miles. You do 20k all traffic city driving and pads will be done. If you haul highway all day long and don't step on the brakes for 200 miles, you'll go probably 100k without a change. You have to check every time you rotate your tires, about 8k.
Old 08-15-14, 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by ls430lover
the brakes on our cars do last and wear well, i have experienced the difference between cutting and replacing the front rotors and the latter makes a big difference in performance, cut once maybe but for the true enthusiast replace the rotors you can find them for 90/piece online
i went thru 3 cuts each time after 5k having the same shimmy issue and stepped up felt completely like a different automobile

Just bought 2 new Brembo rear rotors for $97 (for both) with free shipping on eBay.
Old 08-27-14, 01:42 PM
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I did brakes all around about a month ago. I bought the car with about 125,000 miles on it and I have 187,000 now. 62,000 miles that I put on the car and the records I was given from the previous owner (Extremely well maintained at Lexus) said the brakes were done at 107,000 miles. 80,000 miles on brakes!!!!! The wear indicators were just starting to scrape but were still fine. The rear rotors looked to have hot spots but after looking at the pads the groove was packed with debris which is likely the cause. I had all 4 OEM rotors cut at a local auto parts store ($24) and after about 2,000 there is no shudder or pulsating at all. These are by far the easiest brakes to work on.


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