Time for Shocks?
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Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Texas
Time for Shocks?
2018 GX with ~81k miles. I've recently noticed small but pronounced bumping or 'vibrations' when coming to a stop. I initially thought it was a hotspot in one of my rotors, but having had a full four wheel brake job within the last 5k miles I was suspicious of that. To test it, I found the flattest piece of pavement possible and tried to get it to repeat with no luck. She stopped slowly and smoothly. I also switched through the ride settings, it's still there; maybe less noticeable on 'comfort', but still there. Long story short, I have deduced that what I am feeling are the small bumps, variances, seams, and whatnot in the road surface at slow speeds. Is this my indication that it's time for new shocks?
Vibrations and/or clunking when coming to a stop is usually control arm or tie rod related. Either way have all the shocks checked for evidence of leakage and bushings/control arms checked. The dead giveaway on arms/tierod would be to re-do the parking lot test, but then stomp on the brakes and observe if there is any noise in the suspension.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,749
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From: WA
... difficult to draw any conclusion based on your description.
... shocks wear over time (damping characteristics) so it's not all good up to the point of leaking ... especially with the KYB shocks ... in my Toyota experience, they start moving in the sloppy direction beyond 60,000 miles and for me are unacceptable crossing 90,000 miles.
... for what they represent in terms of performance, the Lexus replacement cost is criminal. At your mileage, my inclination would be to replace ... with non-Lexus shocks for better performance at a significantly lower price.
... shocks wear over time (damping characteristics) so it's not all good up to the point of leaking ... especially with the KYB shocks ... in my Toyota experience, they start moving in the sloppy direction beyond 60,000 miles and for me are unacceptable crossing 90,000 miles.
... for what they represent in terms of performance, the Lexus replacement cost is criminal. At your mileage, my inclination would be to replace ... with non-Lexus shocks for better performance at a significantly lower price.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Texas
Not getting any clunking or grinding noises. To be more accurate from my initial description, it seems that over the last month or two I can now feel EVERY bump, seam, repair, etc. in the road surface. This sensation is aggravated at low speeds and is especially noticeable when braking. No pulling or noise when braking, but can feel all of the wheel movement through the pedal.
I do have a routine service appointment coming up and will see what the dealer says, though, as suggested, will likely have the work done elsewhere.
Thanks to all for their input.
I do have a routine service appointment coming up and will see what the dealer says, though, as suggested, will likely have the work done elsewhere.
Thanks to all for their input.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 455
From: il
Not getting any clunking or grinding noises. To be more accurate from my initial description, it seems that over the last month or two I can now feel EVERY bump, seam, repair, etc. in the road surface. This sensation is aggravated at low speeds and is especially noticeable when braking. No pulling or noise when braking, but can feel all of the wheel movement through the pedal.
I do have a routine service appointment coming up and will see what the dealer says, though, as suggested, will likely have the work done elsewhere.
Thanks to all for their input.
I do have a routine service appointment coming up and will see what the dealer says, though, as suggested, will likely have the work done elsewhere.
Thanks to all for their input.
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Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 35
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From: Texas
That's very good insight. I have the platinum warranty so will ask the dealer tech to look at that as a possible issue. To answer a previous poster-Tires are older, probably ready to be replaced and I do typically run a few psi low this time of year to account for 100F temps so if anything would anticipate a smoother ride.
Again, thanks for the insightful questions and replies!
Again, thanks for the insightful questions and replies!
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Texas
For posterity: Took her in for service and the tech determined that I had warped rotors. He said the last place used cheap parts. Did a full 4 wheel brake job, lubed the drive components, changed differential fluids, and did an alignment. Now she rides like brand new. Lesson learned? Sometimes the mom and pop shop down the road with great reviews who you have used for years will still cut corners and use cheap parts or mess something up. From now on I will just bite the bullet and use Lexus dealer service or go to a dedicated Lexus service provider. And yes-I know how to do it myself, but ain't got time for that!
Pit Crew
Joined: May 2016
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From: Nv
Of course the Lexus dealer told you the last people used cheap parts! That's what they always say when someone else's parts fail. Very possible the rotors were not actually "warped", but had hot spots on them from improper break-in when new. Once the hot spots occur, they just get worse. The common explanation is "warped", though that is not the right terminology. A better explanation is that they were overheated in one or more spots when new. and there is less grip on the surface on that one spot.
Good luck with the new rotors.
Good luck with the new rotors.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,749
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From: WA
^ ... no "Mystery Brand" Rotors for me ... yes, independent shops are motivated to make as much margin on parts as possible. Brakes (and Tires) are not the place to "save money" ... with the initial bed-in procedure being extremely important.
Last edited by ASE; Oct 4, 2025 at 09:28 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2025
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The more prominent issues these days with brake jobs is the lack of just taking a moment to service the hardware and inspect the caliper. If you dont do those, you can pour as many $$$ and bedding stops into a brake job to come back to the same problem.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,599
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From: il
use good parts for brakes, always. also good parts dont need any wear in, break in, no special drive/brake pattern or process like in the old days. not needed at all.
one of the main contributing factors to warped rotors is improper lug nut torque, this is more of a factor than brand, etc.
i've learned to skip mom and pop in the rare case i would take a car into a shop. mom and pop are getting squeezed and absolutely have to find new, sometimes unacceptable ways to increase margin. they have no economies of scale, no teams of purchasing agents, no ability to withstand downturns. met a short while back with a shop owner just happy to have some business, said that a few months ago was dicey, almost closed shop due to various factors, one being more people (rightly so) going to dealers.
one of the main contributing factors to warped rotors is improper lug nut torque, this is more of a factor than brand, etc.
i've learned to skip mom and pop in the rare case i would take a car into a shop. mom and pop are getting squeezed and absolutely have to find new, sometimes unacceptable ways to increase margin. they have no economies of scale, no teams of purchasing agents, no ability to withstand downturns. met a short while back with a shop owner just happy to have some business, said that a few months ago was dicey, almost closed shop due to various factors, one being more people (rightly so) going to dealers.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 483
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From: FL
Newer, I mean absolutely newer try to save money on tires and brakes.
The friction from the tires are the only thing keeping you ion the road and support the brakes stopping you.
Brakes can make you stop in time with proper tires, if you cheap out you might not stop and crash instead.
Keep in mind these GX460 do not stop great in the first place, why make it worse?
*Have tires for the condition you drive in, if you have regular snow on roads, get proper snow tires, day and night compared to all season tires.
The friction from the tires are the only thing keeping you ion the road and support the brakes stopping you.
Brakes can make you stop in time with proper tires, if you cheap out you might not stop and crash instead.
Keep in mind these GX460 do not stop great in the first place, why make it worse?
*Have tires for the condition you drive in, if you have regular snow on roads, get proper snow tires, day and night compared to all season tires.
Last edited by tntcandy; Oct 6, 2025 at 05:44 AM.
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