I happened to be reading some threads on the LS460 forum, with regards to all their ABS actuator issues.. Since I originally purchased my 01 LS430 9 years and 40,000 miles ago, I've noticed at the beginning there were times (when my radio is off) a sporadic clicking/ticking sound when stepping on the brakes. The sound is not always obvious or noticeable but still there. I realized long ago, that most likely the sound was the actuator which I also heard on my 2004 G35 for the 11 years I owned that car without any issues. I've read a number of posts mentioning that the dealerships have told some owners it's normal and to learn to live with it. Should I now, after all this time first be concerned about this? My car stops perfectly and I have no brake issues. The clicking/ticking sound I am referring to has not gotten worse after the last decade and all these miles. What do you guys think? Anyone else with the same noise? PS.....I am only bringing this it up now because of the recent LS460 posts I have read. Thanks all.

 

Does your car have OE pads in the fronts? Could they be missing the shims? My car had its front brakes replaced by the GMC dealership when I bought it, and they used genuine Lexus parts. They did not use shims and it made a clicking sound when brakes were first applied lightly. This issue is well documented on this forum and it's the sound of the pads shifting due to having no shims. The sound went away when I replaced the pads with Akebonos, which have shims built in to the pads.

I checked before since someone asked who rebuilt my BMW ABS for $249. That co. does not rebuild Toyota ABS, and I could find no others who do. If we accept that our cars are worth $5k or less, it would be cost prohibitive to have any ABS work done (BMW is $4,200, and I saw the 2004+ Maxima which for some reason also fails, costs even more). imho the only solution would be to swap a unit out of a wreck. It does not seem to be common as it is on BMWs. my .02

 

 

 

I don't know how closely related your 2004 Infiniti is to my 1998 Maxima. Upon a start, when the Maxima first moves, there is a click click click sound each and every time, for 20 1/2 years. That is normal. Dealer told me so when the car was brand new. I always likened it to a primitive design. I do know that 2004+ Maximas have had ABS failure which costs well over $4k to repair at the dealership, hardly worth it on a car that old. I would think the case is the same with any 3rd gen LS430. For whatever reason, there does not seem to be a DIY with Japanese cars, as there are with Germans. So I would think that any ABS failure other than sensors at the wheel hubs would mean simply drive with no ABS, as the alternative would be to spend more than the car is worth to fix something that is rarely used (I likely utilized ABS one time in owning my LS 27 mos.). My .02. Even with a swap I dunno what's involved. With a BMW? Watch a YouTube and get some software and send the unit out. It's DIY for $300 (looks like the price went up from 2 1/2 yrs. ago) or $4,200 at the dealer, not a hard decision....

 

I am also not sure how similar your Maxima and my 2006 G35's ABS motor are. However, I can tell you that the ABS motor did fail on my 06 G35 2 years ago, and that was the main reason I decided to finally sell the car after 11 years of ownership and purchase the new 2017 QX50. The price to repair it was prohibitive, and my girlfriend was anxious to get a new car. I had a limited time to repair it and of course Infiniti wanted over 4 Thou to repair it which was not going to happen. Once again, both my 04 and 06 Infiniti's had the same similar ABS sound at start up and I was used to it as part of the ABS system. Not sure with the LS430 but regardless, I'm doing nothing at this time. Johnhav430....as you mentioned, the ABS is not used often, but of course in emergency situations when making an instantaneous maneuver at highway speeds, it can save one's life, and of course I'd want it to be functioning. Currently, it's working. A few months ago I had to avoid a car moving into my lane and the ABS system kicked in keeping my car from fish tailing. It was a close call. So far, no fault codes are on and other than the noise described, the ABS is working. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Stupid idea but for giggles unplug a abs sensor and see if there is a difference when you brake. Also is it possible you live in a area with salt and sand possibly a connector got some salt or water in it and its making the car act up? Maybe a connector broke do to the plastic being old and it has a sporadic connection.