LexRX

I noticed lately that my brakes have been squeaking when I come to a stop - meaning it doesn't squeak whenever I apply them, just when I am slowing and then stopping.

I'm concerned b/c it was worse than ever earlier today. I have 20,500 miles on the ODO. They would squeak louder when braking to a stop and it just didn't sound good - like it was metal on metal. I check the pads and they look fine. How many miles can one normally go on brakes (I'm guessing it's only the fronts) in the RX?

When I left the parking lot on my way home they squeaked when I stopped at the stop sign then after I got off the interstate they didn't squeak

RX300wannabeIS300

Toyotas generally have squeaky brakes, our 97 Camry was the worst, had to keep spraying the rotors all the time. Also, my pop's 96 ES300 had a weird squeaky noise/vibration from front breaks whenever applied - dealer checked numerous times and gave 100% proper operation...

Not sure if it's related, but I've read and heard that many Highlander owners complained about having to replace their brake pads after 20K miles... What year is your RX? If it's 01+ I'm wondering if the RX shared same brake pads with Highlander, and thus having the same issue?

As a comparo, I've gotten 67K out of the pads already and it's time for new ones.

Also, if your pads are worn, you'll hear a squeak even when you are not applying the breaks - there's a like a pin (I think..?) that supposed to rub against the rotors to let you know it's time to for new pads.

Anyway, have the dealer check it!

salimshah

Only after making sure that there is enough pad and nothing else is wrong ...

Do some emergency stopping in an empty parking lot. This would burn off the hardened (gloss) on the pad.

Salim

Sooner

there is a tsb for updated shim kits to help withis contact your dealer

LexRX

I will continue to listen to the brakes closely tomorrow. When I look at the brake pad if I can see the thickness of the pad, is that what I go by. Does the pad wear down pretty thin, noticeably so, when they need replacing?


I may end up taking it to the dealer and hopefully they will notice a problem and fix according to the tsb.

salimshah

Couple of things on pads/discs:

If you wash RX (drive in rain) the discs show surface rust and the first few times you brake, there is some grabbing and squeeling (normal/typical behavior).

The pads have a squeeler (scraper) to make exessive noise when the pad thickness is reduced to service limit. Since you are already hearing a squeel, may be it is the squeeler or simply the high pitch of metal surafce hitting another metal surface (shims etc).

One has to take the wheel off to comfortably see/measure the remaining pad surface. Typically pads should last 45,000+ miles (my estimate or swag). Instead of visula inspection I keep track of how much brake fluid has ben added to top up since pad change (or new). With no leaks, if you cumalitively (sp?) add a 3/4 reservoir full, the pads would need to be measured/inspected.

Salim

Jonnystan

How long your brake pads will last is relative, dont forget. I live in the mountains where it is constantly wet, salt is on the roads 7 months out of the year, and I constantly have to go down VERY steep hills which require braking. Generally, in my enviroment brakes get 5,000-10,000 miles if you are lucky. This goes for all cars too, not just Lexus.

Rexus300

iTrader: (1)

The Brakes should last you average of 45 to 50 thousand miles before changing them depending if you do too much braking in city driving or brake too hard on simple stopping.

satxrx

Had the same occurance on my '99 RX and so I mentioned it to my service rep. I thought for sure I needed to have the pads replaced. When I came back to pick up my RX, they replaced the pads and performed the TSB for squeaky brakes at no charge. Gotta love Lexus customer service!

So, take your RX in and let the service dept. take a look. Couldn't hurt, right?

Good luck.