Hi! My first post. This is my dilemma. I had my front brakes replaced at a chain (Merlin's muffler) almost 6 months ago. Soon after, they started to squeal very badly so i took it back and they dipped the pads in some liquid (i don't know what) and it solved the problem for about 2 weeks. I took it back again and they said "i don't know why it's squeaking, but we'll go ahead and replace it for you." Well, since March, I've had 4 sets of brakes put on my car b/c it won't stop squeaking and they can't give me an answer as to why it squeaks. The last time I went into Merlins was yesterday, and they told me it was because I need new rotors and my breaks still squeak. My question is would warped rotors cause my brakes to squeak? Also, I just had my 75K service 2 months ago and Lexus resurfaced my rotors and they where at R/F 26.86MM-26.25MM LF 26.98-26.78MM Pads - 9MM. I don't exactly know what that means, but maybe someone else can. My dealership is really good about letting me know when I need to do something to my car. What is the minimum thickness measurement for rotors? I hate to think that I'm about to be ripped off by these people. Thanks for any insight y'all can give!

 

I had the same problem on my 99 they had to get a better grade of brake pads than the ones they normally put on. Once they put them on no more squeaks

 

i have ceramic on now. is there something better to use?

 

My experience on this is not with my RX300, but with previous cars.

That said, I don't think the squeal is caused by rotors. My feeling is that one solution is to go back to the OEM brake pads, with all the anti-squeal shims and stuff that came with the car. Another thing to try is some of the anti-squeal stuff that is more generic. I used to use a tube of blue goo that you applied to the back of the brake pad and it dried (overnight) to a plastic membrane that was supposed to stop the squealing. That seemed to work on a previous car (I can't locate the stuff to find the name).

It sounds to me that the folks at Merlin's are just stumbling in the dark at this point, but it sounds to me like you already know that.

 

Not all ceramic pads are the same, you need get the original factor pads (which are also ceramic) and I recommend using the dealer rather then Merlins especially with something so important. You don’t need new rotors.

 

thanks for the help. i just scheduled an appt to take george (my rx) to the dealership and have them fix it. thanks again!

 

FYI, I found the name of the blue goo I used in a web search. It was "CRC Disc Brake Quiet" and it looks like they have changed the color.

But, the surest way is to go back to all OEM. I've had my RX300 for over 4 years and not squeals yet.

 

i'm not very mechanically inclined and i don't think i could DIY. i think i will go back to OEM. thanks!!

 

Shims are the usual culprit.

Warped rotors, and I have had those on my front ones, are prominently detectable when after going above 40 mph and coming to a stop, there is a vibration. Resurfacing or machining should have gotten rid of any imperfections.

With new brake pads, I generally have a squeal for a short period of time. I think more so with the current RX300 pads as opposed to those I had several years ago (different material Lexus used then) and then it goes away. With many pads there is a standard glaze on top and after a short period of time with the glaze gone, so goes the squeal.

Only other time I have noticed squeals is with the shims removed (a test I did) and after I let my RX300 sit after being on vacation.

 

there was a TSB from Lexus about this. I had it too. There are updated shims you can get (lost part number) that will fix it. Its in the All Data TSB list.

 

That is a good point. I remember the last time my father picked up pads for me at the dealer, they asked if he also wanted the shims and mentioned they were updated.

 

I believe this was the latest of a few on the topic...

 

And that makes sense with early 2002 as I started seeing the different pads not too long after that.

 

When in doubt on paying Lexus prices for service, go to Toyota at least to buy the parts. Identify the vehicle as an RX and the parts person should be honest enough to provide you with the Highlander equivalent.

You might even get a bit of a discount ie: 10% like I do, just to get you motivated to buy the parts from them.

Oem is the way to go if you want worry free fitment and no wear issues.

Your indi mechanic is probably suggesting rotor replacement also due to complimenting the aftermarket pad with aftermarket rotor.

I've always believed that car manufacturers make parts to complement each other (when they don't thats when you have a problem). The rotor and pad on the RX are made to suit each other and interchanging an alternate material may give you the noise your experiencing.

I know at least one other car manufacturer that makes rotors softer than normal to reduce stopping distance. The rotors lasts the life of the pad, but will not last to the 2nd set of pads... etc.

I;m sure you get the drift

 

I had this problem before with a new Brembo rotor and ceramic brake pads. As mentioned ceramic brake pads as not build the same. So, I replace it with Akebono premium ceramic brake pads comes with shims and use CRC brake quiet, past 6 months no squek and brake dust is 99% invisible.