I did a front brake job(rotors, pads) on my2002 rx300 with after market parts from a auto parts store, because my car was vibrating on the front end, it still vibrates after job; even worse now. I broke down and took it to lexus dealer and they told me that it required genuine pads and shims. I bought the car used and don't know if it had a previos job done(apprx 85,000 m), but the old brakes had no shims and they were down to the metal: BTW they also said the brake fliud is contaminated. I had the tires b and r at the same time as brake job, please advise

 

I am not surprised by Lexus response. They will warranty their parts and their work. You can replace the fluid on your own and maybe shave off some from the repair bill.

You can go to an independent brake shop and try.

On your own you can try having the rotors evaluated/possibly_turned.

Final note: Just make sure out of balance wheel is not causing the shake [test driving at various speed without applying the brakes] ... you may already know this.

Keep us posted on how you resolved the problem

Good luck.

Salim

 

I had an experience like this on one of my cars, new pads rotors but vibration persisted. used a dial indicator on the hub and found it was out of spec. Replacing hub and bearing cured the problem and is not expensive. Have a decent mechanic check the hubs.

Manufacturers these days want you to turn the rotors on-car. You did not mention how you did the rotors, or if you bought new ones. If they were done while mounted on the car it may exacerbate a bearing/hub problem.

I'd just go to a decent non-Lexus mechanic, check for run-out and replace the hub and bearing. If the rotors were turned on-car remove them, take them to a machine shop and have them turned. I am sure Lexus will see you coming and will let you have it for several hundred since they have you to blame.

Recently I had rotors turned and it cost 10$ each from a brake parts distributor. Brake shops will do it but charge 30 or more each for an off-car turning.

Here's a clip from a parts supplier in Canada which is almost always more than US prices.

http://www.autopartsonlinecanada.com/

#K7000-176708 Wheel Hub w/ bolts; w/o bearing Front Year: 1/1998-1/2003 SKF $67.95

#K8000-35570 Wheel Bearing Front Year: 1/1998-2/2003 Japan $60.95

 

Make sure there is not rust or road grime between the rotor and the hub. It does not take much to make them thump.

 

Vibration under braking is symptomatic of warped front rotors. As picomode indicated, have lateral run-out checked, turn rotors on a proper lathe, after first being sure that there is sufficient metal remaining to turn them without getting too thin. If they cannot be turned, replacements are relatively inexpensive. Check tirerack.com or some of our other vendors for good deals.

 

at $12/rotor I always turn them when changing the pads.

Before my last pad change I had a slight warp, turning the rotor took care of it.

 

They can only be cut so many times,then they are not safe for use.

 

ok thanks for the input, I actually replaced the rotors when I did the brake job.I replaced the rotors, pads ,and shims with all new non genuine lexus parts and my vibration is worse than it was before the job and the old pads and rotors were both very thin

 

Explain to me exactly when you notice this vibration upon braking, what situation and at what mph?

On another note, I would have your brake system flushed out. You might have air in the line in addition to having old fluid.

 

the vibration occures only when braking, at any speed; but vibration harshens at increased speeds, and varies depending on amuont of pressure applied to brake pedal

 

Could it be the back brakes and it just feels like the front?

 

I'd try to find a non-busy street and see if you can make a sharp stop putting full pressure on the pad and see if the vibration is constant throughout the braking or just here and there (the latter being more like what would occur with a rotor issue).

 

I just did this job yesterday and let me say this.

If when you installed the new rotors you were not careful to keep them clean you will have the vibration. Grease on rotors is lethal.

I suggest you take them back off. Get them turned and reinstall.

Your brake pads are fairly new so just take them off and find a place where concrete is straight but rough in surface and rub them until the haze is gone. Ususally 10 passes should do.

Get some quiet brake solution. I use the red colored one and apply it to the pads where the cylinders touch them ONLY.

Get some brake lubricant and apply it where they mount.

When you get the otors back from the machine shop make sure to clean your hands thouroughly before you handle them. What I usually do is I put on a fresh pair of latex gloves to handle them until I get them on the hub.

My vibration is now gone and all it was doing it was the grease.

Let me know if this helps.

 

I want to thank all for your info, I ended up replacing the rear rotors and pads, after a reliable non-Lexus mech put the car on a lift, turned the front wheel and got a constant contact, then turned the rear wheel and got a intermittant contact resulting from a warped rotor. The car has no vibration at all now, I spent appx $350 for all new aftermarket rotors and pads (f&b), the Lexus dealership insisted I spend $1700 for Lexus rotors and pads, and flush the brake system, what a crock. Many Happy Trails