I own 1999 RX 300 with 112000 miles on it. Recently there was a squeaking noise whenever I braked. Took to a lexus dealer and they have given me an estimate of total $2100!!! 1248$ for parts and 800$ for labor.
They are asking me to change front and rear brake pads, rotors, brakes caliper assembly. I said no way you are going to rip me off.
I also took second opinion from other lexus dealer and they told me the same thing.
I checked online for parts. All the part numbers given by them are toyota parts. Checked both these sites www.mylexparts.com & www.discounttoyotaparts.com. All the part numbers are available here and total is around 900$.

I was thinking of buying these parts online and getting hold of a reliable mechanic and getting the brake job done. Hopefully for less labor cost.
I live in Chicago area.
My questiosn are:
1. Are the mentioned sites above provide genuine parts? Do any one of you have any personal experiences with these sites?
2. Can you refer any mechanic in my area?
3. Any other suggestion you can think of?

Appreciate your help and thanks for reading through.

 

Hard to diagnose without actually hearing it. If the brakes are squeaking because both the rotors and pads re completely worn out and the calipers are leaking, then the dealer's quote sounds about right if they are going to do all that. Not sure why you would need the calipers replaced (?) Bear in mind that $2100 is a significant percentage of the value of the car right now!

Get a second opinion from a local brake specialist (look in the paper or on the internet). If the pads need changed on all four wheels, the Toyota/Lexus parts should be about $250. Rotors will add about $350. Then you have labor also (replacing the rotors while you do the pads will only add a small amount of additional labor). Check with a Toyota dealer, too - my experience is that they are a lot cheaper than Lexus!

Wherever you go, make shure the replace the hardware (shims/springs) as this is the most common source of brake squeal.

 

Wao, that's a lot of money. Check on ebay and get the rotors and brakes there. They are 1/4 $$$ of your estimate. Replacing the 4 calipers sounds little weird, but Toyota Camry 92 until 98 uses the same brake system as our car uses.

Don't expend that amount of money at the Lexus dealer.

Good luck

 

What reason did they say for having to replace the caliper assembly? Is it seized?

 

Lexus dealership has a parts department. You can walk up and purchase exactly the same item they would install for you.

The quote you got, should have the parts and labor broken down and it is standard practice to charge a diagnostic fee [at labor rates typically 1/2hr around $60.00] which can be credited once you go for the repairs. If they did not charge you, they did you a favor.

Some time the preliminary (estimate) is exact, some times it is not. If they dont need to replace things than your final bill will be less, but if additional items are to be replaced, the shop (including dealership) is obligated to get your authorization. There is a gray area where the shop may choose to replace an item (make profit) when it was not needed and it is an item you preauthorized.

Just make sure the items you get are genuine by buying from reputable shop.

Salim
Salim

 

i had similar issue ; delar quoted more than 2400$ rear brakes job including backing plates; reason rust damage. after going thru forums, i got rotors and loaded caliper set from advanced autoparts. met and interviewed 3 mechanics from craigslist.org . the mechanic i selected works for a toyota dealer and does side jobs at home and got a lift gate in his garage. he charged me 180$ for the whole job and got some brakes hardware kit like pins and stuff.
i only thing i had to do was a brake flush. total job < $800.00 without backing plates. machanic said parts are fine and said that rear brakes contibute less that 30% of the stopping power; do not know if its true. so far i am fine. this is my experience and hope it helps.

 

Mylexparts is Toyota/Lexus OEM part, but the other seems to be also, but can't be sure as have not dealt with them. As for getting parts and then going to a local shop to do, that will reduce it down significantly. I would say labor locally will probably be about $400 and one day, so total now about $1300-1400.

Like someone has said previously, if the caliper is not seized, then why replace? Not sure the reason but ask the dealer first on reason and don't mention anything about "is it seized" or they might just go "yeah, it's seized..."

Honestly, all the parts are not biggies to replace as an all day DIY job for the weekend. Everything is just bolted on and you can remove with a ratchet set and the calipers you just need to bleed the system after you remove the caliper and replace.

 

thanks for all your suggestions.
Yes the calipers are seized. Its written on the estimate which they gave me.
Looks like I will have to replace them too. However I will get second opinion and side by side look for the parts and mechanic.
Do you know of any reliable toyota mechanic who does side job in chicago area?

 

The problem you have, does not need Toyota mechanic.

All you need is a person with the right tools (I dont think any special tools are needed), who will do the job correctly and replace the right parts.

The seized cylinder, can be worked upon and with new piston-seals it can be revived .... a project better suited for a DIY as the time (labor $) spent working on it, may be more than the cost of the unit.

You can safely broaden your search.

Salim

 

Here are all of the parts except for the rear calipers at Partsgeek.com two front calipers, all break pads, four rotors.....

http://www.partsgeek.com/cart/
Sorry this will not post, the cost for everything was around $550 with $110 of that being core charges..... for calipers.... so around $450 for all of the parts.

 

Advance auto parts is having most of the parts at very low price.
Can you please tell me which of these brands are good if I dont get genuine lexus parts?
Wagner, Purolator, Cardone, Wearever, Beck?

 

Try Akebono ProACT Ultra Premium at www.rockauto.com

Akebono makes the OEM brakes, but prices are cheaper. That's where I get mine from.

 

My 2 cents ...

Buy aftermarket pads but stick with OEM for the rest. Clean and rebuild using the parts you removed, buy salvaged parts or buy OEM. Short term cheapest solutions at times dont work well in the long run. Example, the aftermarket caliper may have the same outside dimensions, but the volume needed to move the pad may be different ... which may throw off the proportionating valve. If you are in a pinch then it is a different matter.

Good luck.

Salim

 

If I go to a shop, Midas for example, to get my brakes done, will they install Lexus parts or do I have to tell them to install Lexus parts?

 

Give them a call.

Among other options, you can go to import shops (half way as expensive as dealership) or ask your friends, co-workers, relatives for a reference.

Based on my personal experience I stay away from Midas and mechanics at Texaco gas stations. Realistically my one time experience (with each) should not influence my judgment, as each shop/mechanic is independent and there are good mechanics out there.

Salim