Holy Molly! I'm looking into doing brakes soon. Here are the details.......

According to Lexus, Car was given new pads at 38k, (rotors were turned)
I bought the car at 45k.

Car now has 70k and while having an oil change and tire rotation, the mechanic told me that my brakes are due. He said I had basically "nothing left".

My car has had a slight shimmy when I hit the brakes on the highway in a spirited manner, for a little while. They are also a little grabby when coming to a red light. It's pretty annoying actually.

So- I figured.........I would put new rotors and pads on the car. I'm worried about chasing my tail by simply turning the rotors and not replacing them. How many times can the LS430 rotors be turned on average? I would consider turning them if I had some guarantee that they wouldn't rewarp again 6 months. But I don't want to throw my money away either.....

I already have a set of new pads in my closet, but everything else, even with our CL discount from Sewell, comes to 632. bucks. Basically 632 for front and rear rotors, and all new brake hardware.

I would attempt to do it myself, but unfortunately don't have the means. It seems simple enough though. How much should a shop charge me for labor? Does anybody have any other suggestions? I need some words of wisdom. I'm trying to keep costs down, just started a new career and my startup costs have left my wallet screaming in pain.

Thanks!

 

I don't know how many times they can be turned but if they were turned appx 38k ago they should still be OK.
Put in the new pads and see if the shimmy is gone. If not then worry about the rotors.

 

hmmm, I always thought that a shimmy was always caused by the rotors. So you're saying it may be possible for a pad change to get rid of the shimmy? I would love to be able to simply swap out the pads and be done.

 

probably rotors not pads

 

For those of you who have done the brakes, did you replace the shim kit and fitting kit? Is it necessary or do these parts really start to go bad? Are the bolts that are needed to be replaced in the kit?

 

You need to replace the pins if you remove the calipers. Just the pads alone, you do not need to remove the caliper. I have replace the pads before it is definitely very easy and you can keep all the shims.
How many times you can turn a rotor depends on how much was taken to begin with and how much you need to shave off to get it round again.

 

All of this can be done at home with minimum amount of tools and you'll save yourself a lot of money. If you're rotors are within factory specs to be turned then why not just turned them and not having to buy new rotors.

 

Here you go.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...-was-cake.html

 

I will need brakes soon as well. Have 73,000 miles on the original pads and rotors,
and about 80% of my driving is in congested city traffic.

I guess it's my reward for smooth, relaxed driving.

 

I payed 240 bucks (ft back) for the rotors and 70 bucks to ship em to the dealer. You use brakes so often turn em once and toss em just to be safe. Wouldn't you hate to turn em and live with a pulsation till they are needed next. It really depends how much you value a pristine feel to your car.

 

Mine are smooth as silk now, next time if they have no vibration I am just adding pads.

 

So, as it turns out, as I type this and my car is on the lift here at lexus, the pads have 4mm left, and the other guy obviously wanted to take my money. I could easily get another 10k out of these brakes. I will hold off, and when it's time, I will replace the whole shebang. I don't feel like throwing money away right now. The dealer is going to rebalance the wheels for me since they are already off. It may be that the wheels are out of balance slightly as they have not been rebalanced in 20k. We shall see....Just wanted to report back to you guys.

 

If the rotors have enough left to turn there should not be any shimmy left at all. If they shimmy after turning they were turned wrong. I've seen it happen a few times