Stemmer

I'm close to needing new pads and I cheaped out on rotors last time buying no-name rotors that ended up needing to be machined after I had them installed with new pads. Since then I put on another set of pads and machined them again. I'm thinking it''s safer to get name brand rotors and pads installed rather than machining the cheap rotors a third time. I was quoted $1,400 from Lexus for pads/rotors and "about" $900 to $950 from Toyota. Insanity, especially Lexus.

I spoke with Advance Auto and an indy shop. The shop will charge $250 labor to install all pads/rotors and Advance recommended Wearever Brake Rotors and Wearever Platinum Premium Ceramic Pads. Total parts after on-line discount is $214 bringing the total to $464 instead of $1,400 or about $950. Seems like a no-brainer but I'm looking for feedback on these parts instead of oem. Am I missing anything? These rotors say they don't need machining with initial installation.

Also I figure I may as well have a brake flush performed at the same time. Advance has a 32 ounce Wearever Gold Brake Fluid. Acceptable or is there a needed Toyota oem and is that enough fluid? Thanks in advance for any advice/response.

carguy07

I have had good luck with Advance Auto rotors for quite a while. Have not used their pads though. I have used ATE Blue and Prestone Dot3 with no issues so far, 32 ounces is plenty for a routine flush.

salimshah

Rear rotor+drum and parking brake shoes are a bit hard to replace. The front rotors, front and back pads are extremely easy. Just pay for the parts and DIY.

Salim

Stemmer

Thanks for both replies. I will proceed as set forth. And Salim, that's for the suggestion but my DIY ends at engine and cabin filters and pumping out the PSF reservoir. I'm the least handy person around.

salimshah

All you need to do is remove the wheel.
Remove 2 bolts that hold the caliper assembly.
Hang the caliper assembly with coat hanger wire or equivalent.
Remove the rotor, if it has not fallen off by now.
Place the new rotor
Place the caliper assembly and instal the 2 bolts.
You are done with the rotor

Remove 1 long pin bolt.
Swing away the caliper.
Pads would have fallen off by now
suck out some of the brake fluid from master cylinder if it is full
Use a C clamp to squeeze the piston back in the caliper.
clean and lightly grease the (with the brake grease) the shims.
Install the new pads.
Swing the caliper on the rotor
Instal the long pin bolt.
Pads are done

Instal the wheel

You are done.

Salim

fastnoypi

please write a review of the Platinum pads if you choose to purchase them. The Wearever Gold that have been around have had occasional reviews of brake squeal after a few thousand miles of wear.

Of course with these internet reviews, you cannot be 100% certain if there was an install error on the installer's side.

mckellyb

Good tip! And afterward, DO NOT ADD FLUID WHEN THE LEVEL DROPS! The 'Brake' light on the dash is an indicator the pads are worn. This really does work, I've verified it on multiple vehicles, not all of them mine.

If you don't have a C-clamp, or a pad retractor (an inexpensive piece, though one which does what its name implies, and that's all), you can use a large flat-head screwdriver to push the piston back in, while the caliper and old pads are still bolted into place.

It's a hack way to do it, but I've used it a few times.

In fact, I put rotors/pads on my '05 STS, Friday. Easy-peasy, though it was 105F in the garage, so it about killed me.

The RX300 has O'Reilly (which is the same as Advance, I think) pads and rotors up front after the OEM's warped long past recovery. I've been quite happy with them.

This said, I just put EBC slotted rotors and Redstuff pads on the STS. I think they're going to be amazing!

I'll be thrilled if there is merely less dust, honestly, but just driving around the neighborhood, yesterday, making certain I won't die on my commute, Monday, they have MUCH more 'bite'.

Z07

From Rockauto:

CENTRIC 10303250 (103.03250) Brake Pad $ 10.91 1 $ 10.91
CENTRIC 10309300 (103.09300) Brake Pad $ 15.14 1 $ 15.14
CENTRIC 11008590 (110.08590) Parking Brake Shoe $ 11.42 1 $ 11.42
CENTRIC 12144080 (121.44080) Rotor $ 15.81 2 $ 31.62
Discount $ -3.45
Shipping Ground $ 20.91
Order Total $ 86.55

Plus front rotors from a local parts store @ $60/pair (these were cheaper to buy locally due to shipping)

I changed the brake fluid as well as normal caliper pin lube etc.

I did this maintenance recently but so far the brakes are great and quiet. Time will tell how well the Centric ceramic pads hold up.

$146 all in for parts.

EDIT: Also a great time to rotate tires and inspect spare and jack.

Xeus430

I have a 2006 LS 430.
Akebano pads are highly recommended by pros and amateurs alike, such as Scotty Kilmer (50 year pro) and LegitStreetCars (a pro Mercedes mechanic). They have YouTube channels. The rea ultra premium ceramic were 59 bucks for rear at NAPA after applying a coupon I just looked up online.
I have Akebanos and genuine Lexus rotors on the front.
I am going to get genuine Lexus rotors for the rear I think (I want this car for another 100k miles).
The MSRP on each rotor is $134. Bell Lexus in Scottsdale has them much cheaper for $104 with free shipping. I’ve never used this dealer before, so we will see.
It is pretty easy to do yourself. I am rather new to doing my own, but I watched several YouTube videos on it. If you do, I suggest watching several because one person might add in some others might pass over. Also, I suggest looking for the pros. The amateurs are good to see what is going on, but certain pros like CarCareNut (toyota master mechanic) are very thorough in explaining the principles if not exactly your car. There are other people I learn a lot from like Legit Street Cars (pro Mercedes) and Rainman Ray (a pro that does everything but is a really good teacher). All these are YouTube channels.
NAPA and Carquest/Autozone are the retail locations that sell Akebano.

maorsela

Akebono all the way, usually buy them on Amazon.

Front ACT930
Rear ACT325

I've installed rotors from Brake Performance 5 years ago, drilled and slotted, still going strong.

rooster1

afaik all rotors are Chinese made unless you get into some high performance stuff-I use rock auto and anything with a heart on it is tried ,tested, and proven good luck

MattRX

1+ I have the Akebono Pro-ACT pads and Centric premium rotors on both my 2002 Highlander and 2014 RX. Very good cold bite, low dust and super smooth! The Highlander brakes harder but I suspect the new 3rd gen RX caliper swap, lighter vehicle weight and smaller wheels has to do with that.