Brake maintenance question
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 29
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From: IL
Brake maintenance question
2010 RX350 AWD
70,000miles still original brakes
In general which brake pads wear out first, front or the rear? and also @70,000 miles do i need to get rotors resurfaced?
Thanks in advance for your help.
70,000miles still original brakes
In general which brake pads wear out first, front or the rear? and also @70,000 miles do i need to get rotors resurfaced?
Thanks in advance for your help.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,230
Likes: 1,746
From: VA
Are you on your original brake pads? Are they worn out now? Are the wear sensors making noise?
Usually the fronts go first, but it can vary, my rear pads were worn out at 34,000. I also have a 2010 but with only 42,000 miles and recently replaced my front rotors (and pads) because the rotors had so much rust on them the state safety inspector recommended I replace them.
You need the brakes and rotors inspected by an honest mechanic. There is really no other way to say if you need to replace or resurface your rotors. Toyota/Lexus rotors rarely warp and can usually survive 3 pad changes. I prefer to replace rather tnen resurface as the additional cost is minimal and the loss of mass on a resurfaced rotor makes it more like to warp later on.
Usually the fronts go first, but it can vary, my rear pads were worn out at 34,000. I also have a 2010 but with only 42,000 miles and recently replaced my front rotors (and pads) because the rotors had so much rust on them the state safety inspector recommended I replace them.
You need the brakes and rotors inspected by an honest mechanic. There is really no other way to say if you need to replace or resurface your rotors. Toyota/Lexus rotors rarely warp and can usually survive 3 pad changes. I prefer to replace rather tnen resurface as the additional cost is minimal and the loss of mass on a resurfaced rotor makes it more like to warp later on.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 29
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From: IL
Thank you Clutchless!
I am still on my original brake pads.
what are "wear sensors"? Is there a specific time I should hear them like right after taking the car out of parking, or reversing or at the time of applying brakes etc?
I am still on my original brake pads.
what are "wear sensors"? Is there a specific time I should hear them like right after taking the car out of parking, or reversing or at the time of applying brakes etc?
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,230
Likes: 1,746
From: VA
They are metal pins that protrude next to your pads to warn when the brake pads are worn out. They contact the rotors just before the pads are worn to the backing plate.
No, if your brakes are worn down to them you will hear them screech when the car moves, but it helps to have your windows open. When they screech you have a couple hundred miles before the pads are worn to the backing plates and tear up your rotors. There is no substitute for a visual brake inspection. Also when the brakes are replaced you should get your brake fluid flushed/bled if it has not been done before as brake fluid absorbs moisture which can lead to internal corrosion to the brake system and that brake actuator costs a couple thousand dollars.
No, if your brakes are worn down to them you will hear them screech when the car moves, but it helps to have your windows open. When they screech you have a couple hundred miles before the pads are worn to the backing plates and tear up your rotors. There is no substitute for a visual brake inspection. Also when the brakes are replaced you should get your brake fluid flushed/bled if it has not been done before as brake fluid absorbs moisture which can lead to internal corrosion to the brake system and that brake actuator costs a couple thousand dollars.
Last edited by Clutchless; Feb 2, 2016 at 06:58 AM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 31
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From: GA
Typically 2 to 1
First, 70K miles is a LONG way to go on your original pads, but assuming you have been having them inspected at the recommended intervals you must be OK. Perhaps you do a lot of highway driving? Typically, front pads wear out twice as frequently as rears, since 2/3 of the braking is done by them. Your mechanic should be able to mic your rotors to determine if they are in spec; I had to have mine turned at 28K. You should be having your brake fluid changed every 30K or 24 months regardless of mileage as well.
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