Grumpa72

After much discussion here and numerous suggestions I settled on OEM rotors and pads from our supporting vendor, Sewell. I placed an order for front and rear rotors and pads from Sewell on Friday and they showed up on my doorstep today. Btw, 2005 RX330.

Way to go Sewell

If you didn't read my original post, I ws looking for non-slotted/drilled OEM style rotors that had a name and reputation. I found some fronts, some rears but never a name brand four rotor set.

mandyfig

Great, can you possibly post pics? What brand are they? Toyota? Aisin?

Grumpa72

Did you want photos of the rotors, pads, or installation? If you wanted installation photos, there is a DIY if you search "rotors".


All parts were Toyota branded and the description is on the Sewell web site parts list. The parts are on the car so photos of parts is not possible. I recall that the front and rear pads were different brands but matched those that I took off. Someone replied in my original post that the Iron Toad web site said that they were the same rotor. NOT! The rears are a sold mass without the ventilation fins and have a taller "hat" to allow for the parking brake.

As a side note, this was a VERY easy DIY job although a bit messy. Imo, any brake work is relatively easy once you understand how the whole thing goes together.

RX330inFL

The Iron Toad URL was for a comparison of part numbers. Am going to guess they had the wrong picture uploaded. Yes, the rear rotors should be solid.

Grumpa72

Yep. When I went to Iron Toad, they did have the wrong part number. I assumed that Sewell would have it right and they did. Very good service and an easy to use web site.

RX330inFL

I have placed a few orders with Sewell over the years and have always been happy. Got the roof rack delete kit along with a stash of replacement wiper blades and various other consumable parts. Even with shipping it was cheaper than local.

Will have to keep in mind your experiences when it comes time to replace my rotors. Still have the OEM and need to break out the caliper as I have not measured them of late. The fronts were turned once, albeit only slightly, and the rears have never been turned. Still, no pulsing. Lends credence to your decision to stick with the OEM rotors as well.

Grumpa72

RX330infl,
My wife's 330 only has 87K on it and there isn't any pulsing yet in the rotors. I replaced them because I have a steering wheel-felt vibration that starts at 67 mph and I couldn't find it any place. Tires are pretty new with about 5000 on them and I had them rebalanced. I checked air pressure, rotated tires, and did a visual inspection of the suspension.

I am actually thinking about taking the rotors down to the machine shop and seeing if they can be turned. They are VERY rusty with bits and pieces of rust falling off it you scrape the cooling fins. Probably won't though.

bmwbizkid

Give TireRack a look. They have a number high quality replacement options including StopTech.

Grumpa72

I did Tire Rack, as well as "the usual suspects", for my search. No one came up with a set of name brand (meaning ones that I recognize) rotors that weren't slotted/drilled or whatever. As the OP stated, I no longer need to look at TR since i bought OEM from Sewell's.

PghLex

Would anyone have an opinion on this set of rotors and pads? Looks like a great deal and would match my flint-mica color pretty well!

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/BrakePadAnd...59/555751/2007

RX330inFL

Seems awfully cheap for the set. Could not find any information regarding warranty. More than likely, China manufacturing.

cartman57

Considering that Wagner, Beck/Arnley, Raybestos and Centric are $35-$38 for 1 rotor and the pads range $30-$38 (daily driver) it seems in line price wise, don't know about the origin of them. All depends on what you consider important, price, looks, name brand, safety factor.

It's very subjective, just because it's more expensive doesn't mean it's better.
Wish these were available-
http://www.thecarbonfiberjournal.com/?p=1707

Grumpa72

I have done ALL of my brake work on my cars for the last 25 years. I feel qualified to say that I think this is one of those "you get what you pay for" times. It seems awfully low considering name brand rotors typically sell for $60-100 each and a name brand pad sells for $40 per set. It might not be a bad gamble if they perform acceptably. Be prepared to trash them if they under perform.