Hi,

Do you know how long does your brake pads last? I just got a 93 SC400 for about 2 weeks, drove in the snow storm last week here in NJ, the traction cntrol works, I wonder how long does the rear pads last with this snow driving?

 

Well read the Lexus handbook. My LX450 starts to squeel a bit to let you know it needs new pads, I didn't know what the squeling was till i read the handbook, I wonder if it applies to your car? Maybe not, check the hand book.

 

Brake pad life is 95% driver habit. If you like to wait till the last moment then brake hard you will use up brakes faster than someone with less aggressive braking habits. Also, make sure anytime your wheels are removed that the lugs are TORQUED in place with a properly set torque wrench. This avoids unneccisarily warping your rotors. Also, driving into water immediately after heavy braking can warp rotors, as can dragging the brakes and overuse. I have put over 75,000 miles on a single set of brake pads on a Ford I own and have seen others with the same vehicle go through brakes in less than 20k.

 

I also think it depends on driver habbits.
I got 50k miles on my front and replaced my rears at 75k.

 

My 93 SC300 5 speed (no traction control on Lexus manual transmission cars then; no curretn manuals for them to put it on tho it should be present on the 2002 IS manuals) did 75k on the rear pads and at the time of sale (93k) still had 20-30% on the fronts. Jbrady and gadgetSC are correct in that driver habits rule the life of brake pads. Mine likely went a little longer than normal because I depended quite a bit on engine/transmission braking. It is true that clutches and throwout bearings are more expensive than brake pads, but Lexus clutches have excellent longevity.........also, I like doubleclutched, matched rev downshifts and the exhaust burble that goes along with them!!

Alas, no manual on my GS........but I can change mufflers for some of the sound!

 

On the same brake note. Does any one know (or in your opinion) is it better to go with
toyota brake pads or is there a better aftermarket brand? Also is there any thing unusal
about changeing the pades on a sc300 '92. I know because whne i was changing my Brothers
brakes on his Acura Vigor that when placing the new shoes in the back that the piston needed
to be pressed and TURNED at the same time to get the piston back so the new pad would fit.
THis took a while to figure out and caused some confusin. SO i was wondering if the Ssc300
had any odd things like that.

Ethan Norris
Colorado

 

There is nothing special about changing the 300 pads. You can push the pistons back in with a wrench. This is also the way the manual says to do it.

gadgetSC

 

Well said and %100 agree!