I am in the market and read up on what to look/listen for when test driving. The car drives well and the height adjustments works good. No noticeable "clunk" at stop or taking off. One thing I could not get pass is the brake pedal, it feels too soft for a big vehicle. I did notice, with the car off, i pumped the brakes several times and it never stiff up. is this normal?

 

The GX doesn't use a vacuum-assisted booster on the braking system - it's a small pump:

http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...rimLevel=19100

Chip H.

 

Thanks for the reply. I am not too familiar with the braking system. Are you saying without the vacuum-assisted booster, the brake pedal does not stiffen up after 2-3 pumps with the car off? I also notice slight air noise while lifting my feet off the pedal after pumping.

 

If you still have the key in the on or accessory position it will keep it running because it has an electronic master cylinder so the electric pump is filling the booster as needed, if the key is out or in off position the motor wont pump and should stiffen up on the pedal. when you first put the key in the car you can usually hear the master cylinder pumping as you start the vehicle its this electric compressor sound from the front drivers side of the car.

brake booster issues are more rare on this chassis but could occur. most likely when there is a soft pedal feel that means the brake pads are worn all around or sometimes people replace the front brakes and not the rear and that pretty much always gives you a soft pedal as it creates an inbalance in the system, that soft part is often the front pads touching the rotor already, but the rear pads are worn so they are still extending to the rotor or vice versa, when it firms up that means the more worn pad has caught up to the rotor and it stiffens up and brakes at that point. Its nothing major but keep in mind it may need brakes in the near future to restore the firm pedal feel. Most people don't notice that sort of thing. I would say new rotors up front, and new pads all around unless one set was done recently, I can guess that both weren't done from your description its pretty classic for people to do the fronts on these and ignore the rear as there is "still some pad left" but thats how you get the soft pedal feel. these cars wear down the front rotors in no time then you get the brake "shimmy". pretty much exactly like the lx470 they eat up rotors and pads in the front cause they are small tanks with average sized 4-pot brake calipers (they should have gone bigger IMO its just good enough but not enough to withstand warping rotors in the long run).

 

I was comparing the brake pedal to my wife 07 civic, while the car is off, and it never stiffen up. I expressed my concern to the rep and he stated the brakes are new and that is how the car brake pedal is. The same rep also told me timing belt service is done at 160k miles so I dont believe a word he says. Thanks for your your help

 

Another possibility is stale brake fluid. It should be changed every 3 years (2 if you live near the coast) because it absorbs humidity from the air and goes bad over time.

I'm going to get brakes done at my next oil change, or if the replacement dash comes in before then. The GX is a heavy vehicle and goes through pads and rotors pretty quickly. I don't have the records from when the previous owner did it, but I would guess it's been 2.5 to 3 years.

Chip H.

 

Thanks for the information you have been very helpful.

 

I had the same first impression when I first drove our 08 GX prior to purchase. My conclusion is it takes some time to get used to. After a couple of weeks of ownership and getting used to it, the brake power was actually plentiful.

 

Are you saying this is normal?When the car is off the brake pedal remains soft with several pumps?

 

Mine stiffens up at the 3rd pump. But the fluid was changed just last year when I bought it.

Chip H.

(on re-reading this, this sounds obscene)