First I would like to say hello to everyone and I'm glad I found a forum for Lexus owners these sites are always great to visit.

So on to my problem, recently my 09 rx350 has been making a intermittent grinding noise while coming to a stop. It happens at about 20mph and slower. It makes a really loud constant grinding noise if I hit the brakes fairly hard, it's sounds and feels scary. Almost feels and sounds like small rock's or gravel got in between the rotors and pads. I checked the half shafts and the passenger side doesnt have any tears but there is grease creeping out from the smaller of the two clamps. The drivers side was dry as a bone. I recently did the brake pads and resurfaced the rotor's, I checked the passenger side but not the drivers side yet. Any ideas or comments would be greatly appreciated. Also I found the passenger side rack and pinion boot tore I'll try to include a pic.

 

welcome, recheck your brake pad work, maybe the wear indicator clip isn't seated correctly. If it looks good, perhaps check for axial play in the front wheels that would indicate a bad wheel bearing.

 

check that the pads have been correctly installed

 

I pulled the driver's side caliper and pads and nothing looked out of the ordinary. Both pads on that side looked identical, mirror images, I took it out for a spin today and couldn't replicate the problem until the brakes warmed up, that's when the grinding returned, it sounds like its coming from the passenger side for sure. A buddy at worked mentioned a sticking caliper. I'll need to troubleshoot some more later in the week. Thanks for replying.

 

check the passengers side. you say that is where the noise is coming from

 

I have checked the passenger side pads and rotor, didnt find anything out of the ordinary with those items. I need to take a closer look at the caliper on that side today or tomorrow.