Front Brake Problems

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Jun 3, 2006 | 12:11 PM

loubob

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 30

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From: NY

Front Brake Problems

Bought used '04 RX330 in February with 32k on odometer. Had two(2) front brake/rotor jobs by then. Car now has 37k and front brakes are grabbing causing very bad front end chatter and apparently needs another front brake job with new calipers. Anyone else having same/similar problem????? Your resolution?? Our car is certified used. Took car to dealership this a.m. Tested it and could not duplicate the problem so nothing was done. Am calling Service Mgr. Monday a.m. and will call Lexus Customer Service if no satisfaction. If no replacement of parts is offered am going to trade car and will NOT be getting another Lexus. Wife was going to trade her '01 GS430 on a new IS350 but will NOT either . We can live without Lexus! Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks...Loubob

Jun 3, 2006 | 12:43 PM

Tammy

Lexus Champion

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 1,973

Likes: 10

From: Arizona

For starters....

Replace the rotors. With two or more grinds on them they are bound to be defective.
Replace the pads
Replace the shim kits and anti raddle clips
Replace the brake fluid
Replace the brake calipers, front
Test the anti lock brake pump and solenoids
Test both pressure cylinders and if indicated replace the master cylinder

Brakes can be fixed if tested properly. You may be living with a part problem since the vehicle was new. You need to insist the time and skill level is applied to your problem for a resolution; not a symptom fix.

Jun 4, 2006 | 04:50 PM

loubob

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 30

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From: NY

Thanks for the info.
Took the car in Sat. They had their 'best' tech take it out to try and "duplicate" the problem. Could not do it and sent me on my way.
I plan on calling the serv. mgr. tomorrow and giving him 1 more chance to prove themselves or will call Lexus service. Depending on that outcome, I may be buying a new non-Lexus car.

Jun 4, 2006 | 10:22 PM

salimshah

CL Community Team

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 16,559

Likes: 1,385

From: Austin, TX

Did you manage to reproduce the problem either to the mechanic or the service writer? Does the demo model exibit different behaviour?

Salim

Jun 6, 2006 | 06:59 AM

Nept_Mica

Rookie

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 76

Likes: 0

From: New York

Quote:

Originally Posted by loubob

Which Lexus service department is this? I see that you're based out of New York so I'm curious as to which service dpartment you're dealing with.

Jun 7, 2006 | 03:16 PM

Lil4X

Out of Warranty

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 14,925

Likes: 13

From: Houston, Republic of Texas

There's a TSB out on this - it seems that somewhere along the line somebody overtorqued the lug nuts, warping the rotor. It may have been a factory defect, but may have been done by one of the dealer's flat-busters when rotating tires during regular service.

The solution is to replace, not machine, the rotor. Having been machined twice there probably isn't enough metal left to true up the rotor properly. A proper service writer should understand this problem instantly - it is a known issue with some RX 330s - whether they can duplicate the condition or not.

I found my RX's front rotors chattered badly when the brakes were applied fairly hard at speeds above 50 mph. I told this to the service writer and he replaced the front rotors and pads without any additional information. In warranty and with no questions asked.

If you have further problems, find another dealer - or call the Lexus Customer Service (number listed on FAQ thread).