SilverSprt

Hey RXers,

Question. I am at about 83,000 miles and I hear my brakes starting to squeak when I brake at low speeds. I am pretty sure my brakes need replacement now. Last time I checked they were about 30% life left.

1) Question: Should I just get all four of my rotors replaced now while I am at it? Or is it only necessary to get only the front two replaced? (I do get the steering wheel shake when I brake hard at FAST speeds...I believe this is from the warped rotors that others mention on the forum)

2) Newb question here: So I'm at one of the lexus merchant websites and I see Front Rotor for the RX listed at $78.86/each and rear AWD rotor for $84.04. These prices are only for one rotor, right? Meaning these things are not sold in pairs like the "Front Brake Pads". In other words, if I wanted to repair all four rotors, I'd have to fork out $324+. Add in another $90 for the front and rear brake pads and I have myself a total $414 just for the materials...


I am not sure what the life expectancy of rotors typically are but maybe some of you all have some insight into this.

Let me know what you guys think.

(I wonder how much this project would cost at Lexus...probably $1G at least)

carguy07

(I wonder how much this project would cost at Lexus...probably $1G at least)

Yep, I was just there today. Over a grand for front pads/turn rotors and rear pads/new rotors.

TunedRX300

I doubt you will spend $1G if you shop elsewhere. Lexus parts and service charges premium but really nothing special.

Replace the front two brake rotors and pads with equal or better than OE quality Brembo rotors and Akebono pads. Many members with this combo reported excellent stopping power and less brake dust.
Akebono provides OEM pads for Toyota, Brembo is the OE brake suppliers for some sport models of Acura and Infiniti.

Brembo rotors can be bought at tirerack for $55, so $110 plus shipping for rotors. Akebono ProAct front pads is $42 from www.rockauto.com


Where are you in CA? You don't have to go to Lexus dealer for simple brake job. There is an excellent shop in Long Beach that replace front two brakes for $90.
PM me if you need the shop's address, just order parts on line and schedule a 30 minutes appointment. $250 is enough to solve your problem.

SilverSprt

Man that is just brutal! These guys like to charge an arm and a leg for their service.

Sounds to me like you are recommending I only change the front two rotors and not the back. (I plan to change the brake pad on all four wheels) Do you guys see any issues with having the OEM rotors in the back and Brembo rotors in the front?

I am actually located in Northern California in the Bay Area- San Jose area. Unfortunately, I am a long ways from the LBC.

TunedRX300

The rear brake won't affect steering wheel shaking. I recommendate solving the cause, not a shot gun blast approach.
You can go to tirerack.com and find a qualified brake mechanic. Brake work is nothing special, if you are in SoCal, I will take the $90 and install them in 45minutes or less.

alsalih

I think even replacing the front rotors is unnecessary, resurface the front rotors, install the Akebono Pro ACT pads as noted above, and your good to go for another 80K miles. I don't want this to get into the debate of resurfacing rotors, but as long as you're above the minimum thickness limit, you can and should just resurface them. Just as an example, I was able to resurface rotors on my GS300 three times at 70K mile intervals each, and even after the third time I was above the limit and sold the car before I needed to replace them (210K miles at the time). Just my 2 cents.

Oh, pads are sold as sets either for both front wheels or both aft, and rotors are sold per wheel, so you would need to buy two front rotors.

mandyfig

As long as the rotors are turned per specification, it is as good as new. If the rotors were burned...then it might be a different story.

carguy07

What is a "burned" rotor??

TunedRX300

I guarantee shops that cut the front rotors will ask you to cut your rear rotors, and with a straight face, tell you that steering wheel will shake if you don't.

mandyfig

Some rotors actually fail because they have been subjected to extremely high temperatures such as when you calipers stick....hence you will have "burned" rotors. In this case, new ones are recommended. I do not know how you can tell...sometimes they have this deep blue color, like burned steel.

SilverSprt

Thanks for the info! Just ordered my Brembo rotors and Akebono pads. Will let you know how the install goes.