I have started to feel a slight shimmy on high speed braking. Time to inspect what's going on. It has been 20k miles since new pads and rotors were turned.

 

it's been time to check your brakes,you shouid check them at least once a year or 12,000 miles depending on how agressive you brake.

 

Just come back from Star Toyota at Bayside, NY. bought the following kit sets, will do the job tonite. It's ridiculous how much dealer charge for a 1 hr job.

04465 PAD KIT, DISC BRAKE, FRONT

**465-48030 2003.08-2007.05 ACU2#, MCU2# 1 (dealer listing price $76.17) online price $55.20 * i bought at $64.74 (10% off)
Manufacture notes: MARK NBK PN529H


04466 PAD KIT, DISC BRAKE, REAR
**466-48060 2003.08- ACU2#, MCU2# 1 (dealer listing price $62.99) onine $45.69 * i bought at $53.54
Manufacture notes: MARK AK PA561

 

don't know why this place is so cheap. while the same seller's toyota parts are more expensive.

http://www.lexuspartseast.com/parts-...-05-10092.html

 

I did my GF's front pads and rotors this past Sunday. They were still factory and had warped and rusted due to lack of use (2005 w/ 48,000 miles). I purchased a paid of Duralast Max Gold pads and Duralast rotors. Although it took me (4x) to the auto store to get the correct size socket and a can of PBJ (sp?) rust remover, I finally got it done.

I am not mechanically inclined at all, but after watching a demo on YouTube, it wasn't so hard. I have since driven it to work to make sure everything is working properly. So far, no crash!!!

There is a free site - automd.com that does a search of several repair facilities in your area (by zip code) and gathers quotes. The lowest quote I received for replacing front pads and rotors was $470. In the end I spent $189.50 - have to mail in a rebate for $10.00.

It took me about 2.5 hours...

 

Probably will need new brakes on the front before the end of the calendar year. When I changed the fronts the first time I did not turn the rotors. Still no vibration in the brake pedal after all this time. Wondering if I should bother replacing the front rotors due to wear? Trying to find my caliper to measure the remaining rotor thickness.

I believe new they were 1.2" and if they are less than 1.01" they need replaced. Can anyone confirm this information?

 

It is surprising that you have no shimmy after all the miles, how many? Your driving technique may be excellent. I know the wifey's driving habits and I can see where my litlle shimmy came from. She rides the brakes hard.

The service manual specifies the minimum thickness for the rotors. You will need an anvil type caliper to meaure the deepest groove on the rotor.

I will check on the manual quick and publish it.

 

Here are the specs:

26 mm minimum on rotors.

 

Very helpful thread

 

When doing the pad change, better get the shim kit. That's what I will do.

 

interesting nobody mentioned bolt torques or bleading the brakes.

One thing, when pushing the caliper piston back in, I like to crack the bleeder valve so that the old brake fluid being pushed backwards does not gunk up the ABS components.

 

103 N·m (10.5 kgf·m, 76 ft·lb)

Section 6 of the 2004 RX330 manual. Listed under:

SERVICE PROCEDURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis

Same for both the 17" and 18" wheels.

 

There are bolts all over the place, bolts you remove for front calipers, bolts you remove for read calipers, bolts you remove for getting at the rotors, bolt you remove to disconnect the brake line. They are not all 76 ft-lbs!

 

Was covered already. Look at mandyfig's posts in this thread #52 and #53. There are PDF attachments -- one for the front and one for the rear. In the rectangular boxes are the numbers you are looking for torque specs.

While I hand torque the wheel lug nuts to spec, I do the rest by feel. Never had a problem.

 

thanks! I am about to do the brake pads, and as you know...who knows what you have to replace along the way.
Just to summarize,

Brake Pad Replacement Torques:

Front:
brake fluid hose: 21 ft-lbs
Bolts to remove caliper: 25 ft-lbs
Bolts to remove plate blocking rotor: 77 ft-lbs

Rear:
brake fluid hose: 21 ft-lbs
Slider pin to remove caliper: 32 ft-lbs
Bolts to remove mounting plate blocking rotor: 58 ft-lbs