I just purchased a used 2007 Lexus GS 350 AWD. I had it inspected and there were some minor problems (air filter, small oil issue) but nothing big. Driving it, I've noticed that the wheel shakes a little bit when applying brakes and based on my google searches, it's likely a rotor problem. I've literally only driven the car less than 100 miles since it was inspected. Does the inspection place (Tires Plus) bear any responsibility for clearing the inspection on the car? Should I take the car to Tires Plus to look at or should I take it somewhere else?

 

Sounds like warped rotors, Youll need to have the rotors cut straight or replace them with the rotors and pads.

 

^ what he said. and an inspection shop isnt going to notice warped rotors. it isnt really a safety issue unless theyre really bad. my last car had it and i just lived with it. however, if theyre warped, it might be a sign of something more serious like a stuck caliper caused them to heat up and warp.

 

could be several things and mainly a warped rotor but dont rule out the possibility of an outer tie rod either.

 

Mine does similar, and I initially thought warped rotors, but my last service, Mechanic says the bushes in the upper or lower (Cant remember) are no good. Supposebly a common issue with similar years Toyotas, like Camrys and Aurions and Lexus IS250 (in Australia anyways).

Pretty bad considering my car has less than 50,000kms on it.

 

Turns out I spoke too soon. It only seems to happen when braking at high speeds (80 or so) and doesn't when braking at around 60 or less. Is it still the same diagnosis or is it not a problem at all?

 

well for rotors you would feel it no matter what at any speed and it would feel like a pulsing through the brake pedal.

 

I would start with the rotors. If they are just starting to show signs of being warped, it's going to start at higher speeds and gradually get worse.

I bought a car last year with new front pads and rotors and in 15K miles it started shaking at higher speeds. I put new rotors on (OEM) and it all went away.

 

Replace brake pads and rotors

 

Young buck, I would have the brakes looked at. I had similar issues. Remember, you hit the brake pedal and things get shaky, more than likely you have a brake issue.

 

So the caliper is sticking on one of the wheels in the back, so they are fixing that and replacing brake drums on all four wheels - about $800...bummer.

I have an email from the guy i bought the car from saying he just got new brakes. The shop said only the pads seem to have been replaced which caused the caliper to start sticking due to the warping (or something like that, I don't know about cars so I didn't really know what the shop guy was talking about). Seems like deception on the seller's part IF he knew the rotors were warped - something which I would imagine the other shop would've told him. Anyway, is there any possibility I could try to get this guy to pay for part of this repair (or maybe get the shop that simply added pads to pay for part of the repair).

 

That sux, I have been driving mine a bit while on holidays (Mianly wifes car) and its so ****ing annoying braking at 80km+ car shakes, its not a warped rotor feel, you can feel that in the pedal.