Just had my '07 RX tires rotated at 40K at the dealer said all four rotors (and pads) needed replacement. I didn't examine them myself, but he said they were out of spec. Is this common for the RX? I've only had smaller sedans before this vehicle and I don't think I have ever had to replace a rotor under 74K miles? I bought this vehicle used (30K miles) and it has a tow package. Could that be the reason?

 

Any vibration braking at any speed? At any rate, pad and rotor replacements are one of the reasons you really need to cultivate a good independent shop. There are ordinary jobs that Lexus is just off the charts on. My dealer wants 130 bucks to drain and refill the transmission, insane.

You owe it to yourself to get proactive with the maintenance on your car. There are times when you should use the dealer and many other times when you should use your friendly Lexus trained independent shop. And, as in this case, there are times you need to get a reliable second opinion.

 

...Yes.

If someone used the vehicle to tow an oversized boat or trailer, particularly if they were in terrain with hills, they could wear out pads and rotors.

I once had a 30' motor home (Ford 350 chassis) and went through front pads and rotors in 27,000 mi. I was pulling a 20' boat behind it and was up and down mountains in the west. I was stunned at the amount of brake wear. The boat trailer even had electric brakes.

The towing capacity of the RX is not much so it's possible a boat or trailer at or above spec's could cause significant premature wear.

The wear on the rear brakes is ususual.

The only other reason to have such wear is a jackrabbit/jackass driver running the car like an idiot.

 

Just returned from a dealer in Naples, FL. Was in on a recall for our 2006 RX. They tell me I need all 4 rotors resurfaced and new pads - measurement is .2mm. For $355 a wheel they will resuface, new pads, lub slides - sounds very expensive - but driving back to PA in a few weeks and do not want to take a chance. Is the 2 mm safe? Would like to have done at home.

 

I would get new rotors, I am not a fan of turning them. They warp even faster since there is less metal to dissipate heat. New ones will be perfect.

Just drive home and have it done there. Even if one of the pads would happen to wear out, you would still be replacing the rotors anyway. You could buy the pads and rotors yourself and have a shop put them on for you. Rotors will be about $75 each and pads about $75 each, so $150 for both sets. So you are at $450 in parts and the shop would charge probably 2 hours at $80/hr so you are around $600 total, less than half what the stealership is charging.

At the least, I would contact your closest Toyota dealer and see how much they would charge, if you are worried about having it done by a dealer.

 

Replaced rear rotors (deeply pitted), front & rear pads, at 30,000. Just replaced front rotors at 46,000. Was experiencing shimmying from higher speed stops. Dealer mentioned resurfacing, but I opted for new rotors. Totally satisfied with Toyota of Wilmington.

 

There is no way you should need rotors at 40k. Did they tell you why?
The only way you would need them is if they are rusting. In 15 years as a Lexus ASM I have never had to sell rotors on a car with that mileage, unless you live by the ocean and they are rusted out. Those rotors are made to be servicable. You can safely get at least 3 min cuts on those rotors.

 

Might get these. Have good experience with slotted but on a much smaller car.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

 

Drilled and slotted are probably overkill. I had a set of Brembo drilled rotors on my RX300 with ceramic pads and when it was totaled it still had 8mm all the way around after 22k miles.

If my 330 needs pads I'll probably spring for these, in silver cad, not the gold!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

I did a DIY on brake pads-rotors here. Diod the front and back. 1st turning of the rotors. Maybe will change to new rotors the next time the shimmy shows up when braking.

So far so good. A very slight shimmy when putting on the brakes on some speed. But not worried about it.

Pads and rotors can be purchased from Sewell at a discount. Then just either do it yourself or take it to a local Toyota shop, hand them the parts and pay the labor. Or get with your local trusted mechanic. It is a straight forward job.

Good luck.

 

Save you some couple of hundred dollars and buy the RX some goodies.

 

I had to replace my front pads and rotors as well at 80000km. I opted for these:
http://www.kvrperformance.com/

 

Very nice! Hadn't considered black before but I will now. Could you possible give us your thoughts about your Weapon R intake and how about a short youtube featuring your exhaust. Please, at least some pics of the exhaust!

 

Hi Carver,
For the brakes they have only been on for a week. The black coating on the friction area obviously is gone but the rest of the rotor is black. I also purchased my brake pads from them as well. The pad are made of carbon fibre and this is what was recommended by them. I choose these pads and rotors because they are made in Canada, not Asia.

For the Weapon R intake, I really like it. This topic has been debated several times on this forum on there usefulness, but I'm very happy with it. I believe the addition of the intake and the dual exhaust system has been a great investment. I'm now getting between 100-150km extra per tank of fuel.

My words of caution that I have experience with adding the exhaust system that was not designed by Toyota is: Whatever system you decide to add to your Lexus consider leaving the stock cat with all of the 'plug-in' for the oxygen sensors. I did not do this and it causes engine light codes every so ofter. This problem can be characterized has having a bug buzzing around you. It's not a problem just annoying.

I will have to find someone with a video camera for the youtube video. In the interim I've attached some photos, and yes the salt to remove snow and ice isn't pretty on stainless steel.

 

I recently had the OEM rotors turned but they developed a small warp again, and I'm fairly picky. So, I just finished installing front end brake rotors from KVR Performance as well. Went with OEM pads. What an improvement! We'll see how long the new rotors last. Unfortunately most of my driving is in the city.