riccjr

Gentlemen (ladies, too),

I'm new to Club Lexus and joined because I hope some of you more sophisticated car-types might have an answer to my problem.

My 1994 LS 400, which was purchased under warranty from a dealer five years ago (the warranty has expired) has had major brake squeal from the get-go. Even after a couple of brake jobs, the squeal persists and sometimes gets so intense it nearly sounds like a whistle. It begins whenever the brake pedal is pressed about halfway, but ends whenever the brake is pressed hard to stop.

You might have dealt with this issue before and if I'm bringing up old news, I apologize. I've read elsewhere that this squealing is "characteristic of the '94 LS 400" but also that there is some way of retrofitting the brakes to eliminate it.

I'd rather not take it to a dealer (they once wanted $5,000 for some maintenance work that my mechanic did for $1,700) but if there's some useful info out there, I'd like to share it with my mechanic.

Thanks to all.

Lvangundy

Most likely your brake shims.

They are pieces of thin metal designed to create squeal when the pads are worn. Shims are never supposed to be re-used supposedly, and you can take them out so they don't squeal, but then you might now know when your pads are worn. If you've got new pads, but old shims it would be a good idea to either get new shims or just remove them. applying anti-squeal grease only lasts temporarily.

I remember someone here saying he was going through shims very fast and decided to simply remove them.

I've taken mine out because my old ones were squealing. They SHOULD be in there though I suppose..

buttons

maybe a stainless steel clip behind each brake disk pad is missing--but generally you will hear a click as you first brake going slow [from reverse to drive].

you might get some 'anti squeel' spray at autozone,etc--take the disk pads off and spray the backs of them--let dry ,then reinstall.
note if you can take a wheel off you can surely take the calipers off--just 2 bolts per side.
also note if the small spring clips (2 per side) that go in the small holes on top of the pads are present or missing !!!

not true on the squeal shims----Lexus has never had them--has electronic sensing--turns on a light on the dash when pads are worn.

riccjr

thanks, to both buttons and lvangundy.

persian451

i would have to agree.. new shims or u have no shims at all