Wow, the whole system has been changed? I would definitely take it someplace else and have them look at it, because something doesn't sound right about this. I'm going to take a guess and say that there might be a problem with the booster. The booster is designed to reduce the amount of effort required by the driver to depress the brakes, hence the term "power brakes". Anyway, the booster is run from vacuum created by the engine, so you might want to have whoever you take it to do a vacuum test on the brake system. With all the sensors on our cars, I'd have to think that a faulty master cylinder or proportioning valve would trip a sensor. But hey, I've been wrong before.

 

pat5000:

Thanks for the advice on that dealership. I'll look into making an appointment when I get the time.




mumbles:

I appreciate the detailed reply and the fact that you've been helpful ( some others on the board are flaming instead).

I've written down your suggestions and will take them to a friend of mine's mechanic buddy when I go back to Houston in December.

Once again, thanks.

 

Actually, the 2000 system has brake assist, and the 199x doesn't. Don't know how that changes the system, but I'm assuming it must, because it allows the brakes to be hammered by the car itself, and not just the pedal.

 

I just hope you get the problem solved. If you feel the brakes are working and you just aren't happy with the pedal feel, then waiting until December to go to another dealer should be OK. BUT if you have any doubts at all about the performance of the brakes, I wouldn't wait another day. Let us know how it turns out.

 

mumbles,

I strongly believe in repaying those who have helped me. If you could please e-mail me at s2@zipmail.com , I will see if I can help you with another matter (related to a generic permit that allows the holder to get tint as dark as they want).

Thanks,

 

He will NEVER EVER EVER buy a lexus again becuase they put stiffer brakes on his car. I WISH mine were more stiff and i drive a 2000

Mike

 

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX


"Your problem is definitely is too much fluid and some needs to be drained, nothing major don't have a cow."

Can you explain how too much fluid could cause his symptoms?

How about some quantifiable data to back up your claim?

 

Sicklex:

"but how about some quantifiable data to back up your claims? "

Is a direct quote from your post.

I'm not trying to create friction. I'm simlpy asking you for the basis of your conclusion that there is too much brake fluid in the system.

Who am I? BSME, P.E. with over 30 years in the automotive industry.

My recommendation is to take the car to a respected technician. I refuse to guess on the cause of his problem without more information ... preferably first hand.

Guesses do no one any good, and could cause harm.

P.S. How much pressure do believe there is in the system when the brakes are applied to the max?

 

I have started to look for a 98 GS 300/400. There seems to have been quite a change from 97 to 98 models. Does anyone have any opinion on the reliability and performance of these two models? Are there any year/models to stay away from. I have just started my search and it seems pretty obvious that in this class, the Lexus beats all hands down.

 

Do you know if the ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) is functioning properly? If not, you've got a safety issue that should get the dealer's attention.

To test: (DO THIS AWAY FROM TRAFFIC, SOLID OBJECTS, AND PEOPLE).

Hit the brakes as hard as you can. If one or more brakes lock up, ABS isn't working properly. If it is working properly, there will be no lock-up, and you should feel a pulsing in the brake pedal.

I really doubt an earlier post that suggested vacuum problem with the vacuum brake booster. I don't believe that vehicles with ABS use a vacuum booster ... I believe it's all hydraulics. Note that I said "I BELIEVE". I'll check into this for confirmation.

 

sTWO Re: Boosters & other brake stuff.

Check out this site:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/framed....op/ency14a.asp

It confirms that there is no vacuum booster on integrated ABS systems.

Sicklex:

We certainly agree that Lexus is the best car owned, and I've had more than 30.

 

GS430_4Me,

Thanks for the information and suggestions from your posts. I will try your test and let you know if the brakes hold up.
Other than that, are you skeptical that bleeding the brakes anymore will help? I am thinking that's the 1st thing I will try mainly because it is the simplest solution so far.


To 1SICKLEX,

Does your dad or uncle work for Lexus or something? Maybe you yourself? You're way too offended by my opinions.

If no one in your family works for Lexus, then you are simply too obsessed with defending Lexus when you should be considering other consumers like yourself first.

 

sTWO - Don't want to defend 1SICKLEX but if you look at all the posts on this board you will see that the amount of times people have bad experiences are surprisingly small for an internet board. Most other marques have far more negatives than this one. When you title a thread "Why I will never buy a Lexus again" you are probably not going to win friends. Starting the thread by saying that you love your 99 GS4 and think it is the best car you have ever had but then wind up saying how you are telling all your friends to avoid Lexus is somewhat confusing.

Brake pedal pressure shouldn't be up to interpretation but it might be a bit. Have you driven a new GS4? How do the brakes compare? Shouldn't be hard to test drive one and see how they compare. Are your brakes operating correctly except for the hard pedal? I sure hope so, fool around getting the pedal correct but don't drive an unsafe car. If the service department is unwilling or unable to address your complaints, FIDO, forget it drive on. Try another dealer or Lexus direct. If the brake pedal feel is as obnoxious as you say, I think most people here would say get out of the car. Life is too short to put up with something or some vendor that you feel has sold you either shoddy goods or is treating you poorly. Whatever financial aspects are created by getting out of the car early are minor to the daily aggravation.

I would agree that bleeding the brakes again probably won't help. Usually the sign from air in the lines is a spongy pedal not a firm one. As has already been mentioned, if you want to keep the car, find someone else to work on it. Either another Lexus dealership or a brake pro. Sorry for your experience but it does happen although I think we all believe it is the minority with Lexus. Most of us are very comfortable recommending Lexus to our friends because we truly believe that if they can afford a Lexus and it meets their requirements, the chances of them having a very satisfying relationship with both the car and Lexus are very high. For those of us who have been through a lot of cars, I think we rank Lexus far ahead of other brands in that area. Once again, sorry for your experience and not trying to defend 1SICKLEX but if you are as upset with the car and Lexus as you say, please get out of the thing.

 

RON430,

I agree with you to some extent, but there's no denying that bad service on any car will make it a poor experience for the buyer.
And yes I do plan on eventually getting a CL 600 to replace the GS (2 years down the line), but for now I can't do so because I'm putting most of my money into the stock market.
This board has to be a respectable place for people to express BOTH sides of every argument. Otherwise, if you censor all the negative posts, you will be creating a communist-like system.

 

sTWO - No argument, bad service is bad service. But so far we are working around the bad service being a hard brake pedal after Lexus replaced your entire brake system. If you have ever raced cars, you learn to crave a very firm brake pedal. Most people here probably would like a firmer pedal over the stock Lexus. I actually have a refundable deposit on a CL500 but the GS goes to my trophy wife if I decide to take it.

I believe this board is as open a board as any on the internet. There may not be as many negative posts as other boards but then maybe the negative aspects of dealing with either Lexus or Lexus aftermarket vendors are just less than for other marques. Oh, and by the way, avoiding the communist-style censorship means that 1SICKLEX is entitled to his opinion as well.