GangsterGS

i had my front and rear pads/rotors changed on my 430 about a week ago by a friend who used to work for lexus. a few days ago, i noticed that my rear rotors are still looking almost new with slight grooves in them. braking performance is not as great and i have to slow down alot sooner now. the front seems to be fine. i am convinced that the rear brakes are not engaging. what could be the cause of this problem? thanks

TWong350

iTrader: (8)

could be air in the hydraulic system. how does the pedal feel? spongy at all?

PHML

iTrader: (33)

did you check your brake fluid reservoir? make sure its to FULL. Are you using DOT3 fluid? Or a mix?

did you replace with the proper sized/thickness of the rotors?

no change to the brake lines....just pads and rotors, right? I would not think any air got into the brake lines if just pads and rotors were replaced. Try bleeding the brake lines....just to eliminate the problem.

Maybe one or more of the pistons in the caliper has seized up.

arnieosp

iTrader: (1)

Find an empty unobstructed parking lot, put the car in reverse, get it to 35-30 MPH (in reverse), slam on the brakes. Then you wil definately tell wether your rear brakes work or not.

GangsterGS

the brakes feel a little spongy, a little less responsive than "stock". i would have to press on the brake pedal a little further than usual. only the pads/rotors were changed, nothing else. centric premium rotors/akebono ceramic pads. i hoped they were the right size. i just told the company i bought them from that it's for an 06 430. i will check the brake reservoir when the weather gets better. it has been raining for the past few days. thanks guys!

MadDawg350

Once the brakes (rotors and pads) get "bedded" in, you should feel an increase in overall braking performance. A minimum of 500 city driving is usually what it takes. Also it would not hurt to have the brake fluid bled from the system, just in case air did somehow ended up getting in to the lines.

BinaryJay

Don't bother bleeding it yourself I'm pretty sure they will do it for you when you take it in for the brake recall.

GangsterGS

i have already brought the car in for the rear brake recall earlier this year if not last year. i might call the dealership and say that the rear brakes are not engaging but they might charge me since i am out of warranty and they did not change out the brakes on the car. hopefully it will be for free under the recall again. thanks

BinaryJay

GS430 should be part of the new brake recall involving the "possible" master cylinder leak.

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

K first of all you will need to bed in the brakes to the rotors, which requires at minimum 500 city driving to get full stopping power that rotors and pads offer. Also i had the rear caliper replaced cause it was "frozen" "seized" which also can be noticed if brake pedal is hard. I doubt you have frozen calipers because you did change out the pads and rotors without a problem. If you did have frozen calipers it would be VERY hard to remove in order to get the rotor on the car. Question: did they lube up the caliper (the little metal rods that go in and out)?