lexrally

Hi Forum, I needed new front brakes pads, still had the original ones and the car
has 81K miles. The rotors were still good, and I wanted to be sure I had the
right front brake pads to go with the rotors I had and make sure the rotors did
not wear out, and that it had the same performance.

I looked at akebono ceramic brake pads, and NAPA and Wagner. They all looked
good, and I probably could have gone with any of these, but decided I wanted genuine
Lexus. I called the Toyota dealer near where I lived, and they said over the phone
that the RX300 uses the same pads as the Highlander.

I picked the car up from the Toyota dealer and found out that the RX300
does not use the same pads as the Highlander, it uses Lexus PADS, part number
04465-48050. They charged $105 for the pair. Total cost for the job was $250.
This was about the same price as the other shops that were going to get me the
other pads.

I also got the brake fluid flushed for $67. Noticed a better responsiveness
now. Rears were replaced 2 years ago. Hope these last me another 80K : -)

Lexmex

I think it's the rear pads on the 4cylinder version of the 1st gen Highlander that is the same as the RX300.

Either way, I wouldn't go with the OEM pads again, there's better options/technology out there now.

lexrally

Your probably right about that, I was just was satisfied with what I had
and did not want to take any chances. I looked at some user reviews of the other pads, and
some of them said that they either are noisy, dusty, or prematurely wear out the rotor.
I was seriously considering the Akebono, but I guess its too late for me to get them now.
I looked at some of the previous posts on this in this forum and that seems to be the top choice.
But the Lexus pads are ceramic too (standard on '02) my gut feeling was to stay with a good thing.
What pads would you have recommended for other members about to embark
on changing pads?

Lexmex

I actually have recommened the Akebono ProACT. They're better than the OEMs for sure. I am trying the Axxis Deluxe Pads right now and those appear to be very good. However, the Akebono PROAct were tried and tested under a much more difficult environment when I was in Mexico City and lasted considerably longer than the OEM and several other pads I tried like Hawk and EBC. I am generally a guineau pig on parts so just because something works well for me, doesn't mean I won't try something else to see if it is an improvement or not.

lexrally

I need to correct something I said earlier.
The Lexus pads are sem-metallic, not ceramic.
I saw somewhere on the internet that the RX300
used ceramic on RX models 2002-2003.
I just assumed the ones that Toyato dealership put on my '02 were ceramic .
But I just called a Lexus dealer, and inquired about them, part no. 04465-48050,
and they said they are semi-metallic.
Thanks

Lexmex

These were the Axxis Deluxe Pads I installed about a year ago (this is the front, driver's side and took photo yesterday). I can't remember the mileage offhand that I've put on these in the time being (I'd have to check some paperwork at home), but they've stood up pretty well.

Yes those rotors are getting rusty, but they're still quite good.