I have a 2005 Lexus LS 430 Ultra Luxury. When I have the brake pads replaced do the Wear Sensors need to be replaced. The brake wear warning light came on while i was driving. It doesn't stay on all of the time, but I have 80,000 miles on the car so I would say it is time to replace the pads. One service store said that I have 2 sensors, one on the front and one on the rear and that they must be replaced. Another service center says that they don't have to be replaced. Which one is correct. Can the warning light be replaced?

 

You must absolutely replace the sensors too otherwise the warning light will not go away.

 

If the sensor triggers the light, you may need to replace the sensor if you want it to do it's job. I did read somewhere, that you can also put some solder on it to get the light off. The sensor is relatively expensive for this car.

 

As others have stated, sensor must be replaced if the pad has worn down enough to break contact. Since it looks like you are leaving the pad change to a store, let them look and decide if sensors need replacement. Either store isn't incorrect in their statement - they just have not visually taken your brakes apart to give you the best estimate. Nothing wrong with that.

 

On the sensor, there is a little part that "snaps" off breaking the contact when your pads get low. Some repair places will put a thick bead of solder on them, this will make the contact again. When the pads get low again, the solder will chip right off kicking the light off.

Some places will do this, others will just replace it, in some cases they might NEED to be replaced. You can buy Non Lexus parts (no difference on how they work) on ebay for under $10 each. I have used them with no problems.

The OEM ones are pretty expensive for a very basic part.