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Looking at the pictures and what you describe, I have personal doubts about what is being said is the problem. Having tooled 50 years on cars, with a number of them as a senior Porsche/Audi master tech, I've changed more than a few brake rotors out. The rear brakes are not the main braking surfaces. To feel a vibration from the rear rotors there would have to be more noticeable irregularities on those rears to have you feel it in the pedal as you do. I would pull the front wheels and spin the front rotors and check for out of round or other problems using a micrometer. I think you may find the problem may be there instead.
Would OP feel a sensation at the pedal for a brake by wire system? OP mentioned he felt a throbbing sensation while braking but did not specify where. I wonder if he means he feels the entire car may be shaking. It must quite the runout (front or rear rotors) if that were the case.
Would OP feel a sensation at the pedal for a brake by wire system? OP mentioned he felt a throbbing sensation while braking but did not specify where. I wonder if he means he feels the entire car may be shaking. It must quite the runout (front or rear rotors) if that were the case.
Yes you can feel runout via the pedal even in these brake by wire systems. I can feel the hotspots on my rotors from track
I have to say though Lexus/Toyota rotors get surface rust so fast. I can look at a lower model BMW and see shiny rotor hats on a 3-4 year old car.
Eh, the high performance rotors tend to rust quick. If my MB sits out in humid air even the surfaces rust not just the hats. But that disappears as soon as it is driven and doesnt cause the issue I am having. Rust on the hat/center doesnt bother me, especially with these wheels which hide most if it.
I dont shampoo the barrels on my wheels either. As long as the car's paint, glass, and wheel faces are clean I am happy.
Originally Posted by advntstrfe
Would OP feel a sensation at the pedal for a brake by wire system? OP mentioned he felt a throbbing sensation while braking but did not specify where. I wonder if he means he feels the entire car may be shaking. It must quite the runout (front or rear rotors) if that were the case.
I can feel it in the pedal, but it can clearly be felt throughout the car, even in the passenger seat. Service advisor felt it immediately when I took him out (I was driving).
Originally Posted by glennbaz
Looking at the pictures and what you describe, I have personal doubts about what is being said is the problem. Having tooled 50 years on cars, with a number of them as a senior Porsche/Audi master tech, I've changed more than a few brake rotors out. The rear brakes are not the main braking surfaces. To feel a vibration from the rear rotors there would have to be more noticeable irregularities on those rears to have you feel it in the pedal as you do. I would pull the front wheels and spin the front rotors and check for out of round or other problems using a micrometer. I think you may find the problem may be there instead.
That might be their next step. I have to imagine Lexus will want more than just a visual assessment before replacing rotors. I would ask them to do that myself but am aiming to avoid any out of pocket expense with it being a "wear item", even though something clearly isnt right somewhere in the chain (rotors, pads, etc).
Looking at the pictures and what you describe, I have personal doubts about what is being said is the problem. Having tooled 50 years on cars, with a number of them as a senior Porsche/Audi master tech, I've changed more than a few brake rotors out. The rear brakes are not the main braking surfaces. To feel a vibration from the rear rotors there would have to be more noticeable irregularities on those rears to have you feel it in the pedal as you do. I would pull the front wheels and spin the front rotors and check for out of round or other problems using a micrometer. I think you may find the problem may be there instead.
I did try recommending the dealer take the front rotors off and check for out of round as mentioned above before replacing rears, but they seem convinced the pulse/shake is from the pad skipping across that dark spot on the rear rotors. I guess we'll see.
If rear rotors dont fix it testing fronts with a micrometer will be the next step I imagine. At least its still driveable and enjoyable in the mean time, so I'm not too fussed about it.
Upon delivery of mine the tech and I setup many preferences. One was automictic parking set at power off. After your experience I attempted to turn this off without success. Realized never set PB on past cars except when on an incline so I could get out of Park to Drive. Next service we'll correct this.
Still say it's one of the best car companies in this day and age!
Originally Posted by ratchettt
Great to hear they stepped-up at this point. Feather in Lexus cap.
I agree. And whats crazier is if new rears DOESNT fix it, I'm sure they'll also replace the fronts if they're out of round. I imagine maybe the dealer will take a hit for not doing full measurements of all 4 first, maybe lower reimbursemenr from Lexus? But I'm confident Lexus will make sure whatever this is gets resolved.
I can say with 100% certainty my experience would NOT have been as good with GM had issues arisen with wear items this early in my now-sold C8's lifespan.
American cars' build quality has definitely risen a LOT over the decades and competes well with foreign luxury brands on our higher end cars, but the after-purchase experience is still severely lacking comparatively.
I do however hope its as simple as these patches on the rears and chasing it down doesnt take a long time and multiple trips to the dealer.
Upon delivery of mine the tech and I setup many preferences. One was automictic parking set at power off. After your experience I attempted to turn this off without success. Realized never set PB on past cars except when on an incline so I could get out of Park to Drive. Next service we'll correct this.
Why would you want to turn this off I always set the parking brake when I power off any vehicle I drive. It's much easier on the Transmission parking pawl and is another safety step IMHO.
Why would you want to turn this off I always set the parking brake when I power off any vehicle I drive. It's much easier on the Transmission parking pawl and is another safety step IMHO.
Lou
Fair question. It was Korbek's experience with his rotors damage. New to the modern systems. Previously could apply PB pressure via pulling a handle, pedal push later, console lever after that to the amount judged appropriate to circumstances. Always trusted Lexus design specs. Began to to question amount of pressure applied in auto. Edit: it's a tactile thing perhaps
Last edited by ratchettt; Mar 28, 2026 at 02:28 PM.
Fair question. It was Korbek's experience with his rotors damage. New to the modern systems. Previously could apply PB pressure via pulling a handle, pedal push later, console lever after that to the amount judged appropriate to circumstances. Always trusted Lexus design specs. Began to to question amount of pressure applied in auto. Edit: it's a tactile thing perhaps
I have my suspicions that theres more to my issue than what the tech said. Even if not, I dont think the parking brake caused it, and definitely dont think this would happen with 'normal' use.