Stupid easy to DIY with only simple tools. I prefer DIY on something like brakes where there are so many parts choices available... will really allow you to get premium parts if you prefer... or go cheap... that's cool too I guess. I mean, for just over $300 you could have quality parts for the front and the rear. If you don't have any tools, add $100 for a jack and another $100 for some jack stands, and a decent socket set and you're good to go.

 

I can almost guarantee you the rear brakes do not need to be done at all. Dealerships are notorious for this, the rear brakes on most cars don't need to be replaced until closer to 80k-100k miles. But service advisors are all about selling brake jobs.

In fact, it wouldn't surprise me at all if the fronts are fine as well. I've absolutely seen a Lexus dealer say I need a brake job when they had far more life left on them.

Find a reputable independent shop that works on Toyotas and get them done there. It's not much different than a brake job on a 4Runner.

 

This is maddening for me to read, if its true because i agreed to have the dealership replace the rear pads on our 2015 GX460 at 28k miles (Cost was around $350 for just pads) because i was out of town and my wife drives this car. At our last oil change service 38k miles last week, they wanted to do our front pads because they are at 4mm (quote was $399). Yes, I passed on this. I was able to order new OEM pads/rotors for around $260 and will be doing this myself in the next few weeks. This car only sees city roads, no towing/hauling of any kind.

 

When I replaced my rear pads a few months ago at around 52-53k miles, there was plenty of life left. Probably a good 60-70% left. The reason I replaced them was I got stuck in the mud and the calibers were caked with it so I took them out to clean and since I was there I wanted to replace both front and back too. I would say the rear last 3-4x times longer than the front easily.

 

it is absolutely true. i didn't replace my rear pads on my 4Runner until 80k.
i then re-did all pads/rotors myself at 150k to upgrade them.

i don't expect to have to replace my pads until a minimum of 60k on my GX. i drive it a little rougher and it is heavier than a 4Runner. plus i load it down more with camping gear. if you replaced at 28k you either have bad brakes or dealer lied

 

Unless you feel some vibration, I really doubt you need to touch the rotors at all.

Get a flashlight and look at the pad thickness yourself. Under 40k miles I bet your pads are still good to go.

 

I'm sure i got sold on a premature service, but all good at this point. Good thing is that i didn't let them take advantage of me again.

 

Well it has been a while since I bought my slotted rotors and pads from a member here that sold their GX. Yesterday I noticed occasional surging when coming to a stop, not really the grinding I am use to when it is too late. Made an emergency stop to a MR.TIRE shop that was on the way and the left rear caliper was seized up and I had metal on metal. They do not offer slotted rotors so I had to decide to put this off for another day or fix it now, this is Friday of Memorial Day weekend.

Two rear rotors and pads installed along with a fluid flush. When the mechanic went to remove the seized caliper one of the 2 bolts (what he called pins) broke. He did show it to me and he couldn't get it out with a hammer and a punch so one new caliper $99. Three hours later and OTD for $670.08

EDIT: drilled, not slotted rotors.

 

+1 on this recommendation. While resurfacing perform as good as new rotors for the first X,000 miles, I have always found that they (quickly) warp and cause pulsing. I always order new OEM rotors from out-of-state dealerships that offer wholesale pricing ... not much more expensive than resurfacing for a brake job that will last as long as from new.

 

Counterpoint here - had rear pads recommended by my dealer at 46k along with a rotor resurface. I didn’t think they could possibly be that low at that mileage so I put it off. A few weeks later I heard a grinding noise in the rear. Sure enough, pads on one side had worn down and the clips had scored a groove in my rotors. Had to replace pads AND rotors at that point. Not that service advisors don’t exaggerate at times or suggest unnecessary repairs, but this dealer was absolutely telling me the truth and had I taken their advice, I wouldn’t have needed new rotors.

I bought OEM pads and rotors (and hardware) for $200 and did the job myself in about 90minutes

edit: didn’t realize I was responding to such an old post. Oops

 

Well stated John00 ! I am like you, If a needed repair is something that I can handle, then I am all in.

 

Does anyone know what the official braking bias is on the GX460? Does the GX have electronic brake proportioning? If so, maybe this is the cause of the rear brake wear?

 

anyone know how much factory pads and rotors costs?