Resurface or replace?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,654
Likes: 1,407
From: Florida
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 383
From: Philadelphia
Brake pads and rotors are fairly straightforward, lots of videos on youtube to watch and see if it's something you want to tackle.
Rotors can be tricky depending on climate: salted roads can fuse rotors to the hub, which is no big deal if you have the right bolts to thread into the holes on the rotor to pop them off. Sometimes a mallet will free them, sometimes not.
Rotors can be tricky depending on climate: salted roads can fuse rotors to the hub, which is no big deal if you have the right bolts to thread into the holes on the rotor to pop them off. Sometimes a mallet will free them, sometimes not.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 189
Likes: 15
From: IL
The decision on replacing the pads would depend on how much is still left on them, but at 41K I would probably replace them since you already have everything apart.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
The answer is not easy.
It depends upon what you are getting for replacement. Some even opt for cross drilled and slotted.
I did near 1/4 million miles and never had to resurface the rotors. I did change pads at the right time and had the fluid purged every 32k miles. Also my braking was modulated .. brake and let off .. allowing the system to cool. Well now 450H is totally different.
If you do replace then buy quality rotors.
Salim
It depends upon what you are getting for replacement. Some even opt for cross drilled and slotted.
I did near 1/4 million miles and never had to resurface the rotors. I did change pads at the right time and had the fluid purged every 32k miles. Also my braking was modulated .. brake and let off .. allowing the system to cool. Well now 450H is totally different.
If you do replace then buy quality rotors.
Salim
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 229
From: wa
Replaced front rotors and all brake pads. Front had maybe 3mm left, rear little more, but getting there. It's 2011 RX350 with around 60K miles.
All parts came from O'Reilley. All are their "OEM" category. I could not tell any difference in appearance from original rotors. Double vented, appear to be good quality. Pads are ceramics.
Rotors are $59.91 a piece, pads are $51.99 and $47.99. Rotors are lifetime. Pads came will all new hardware and then some - some clips I had no idea what they were for. Maybe for a different model, or something.
Grand total $241.96.
Front, rotor and pads, was about 25 min per side. rear was about 15, as I did pads only. Having lift and power tools helps.
Bedded rotors right away.
All parts came from O'Reilley. All are their "OEM" category. I could not tell any difference in appearance from original rotors. Double vented, appear to be good quality. Pads are ceramics.
Rotors are $59.91 a piece, pads are $51.99 and $47.99. Rotors are lifetime. Pads came will all new hardware and then some - some clips I had no idea what they were for. Maybe for a different model, or something.
Grand total $241.96.
Front, rotor and pads, was about 25 min per side. rear was about 15, as I did pads only. Having lift and power tools helps.
Bedded rotors right away.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 229
From: wa
Yeahh... I have ALL tools possible and been working on my cars since 1990. Basically, what you are paying for is - please, do not be offended - is mechanical ignorance plus Lexus mark up. They ride you just for that. And this is understood, this is business. At my job, corporate standard mark up is 300% and that pretty much across the board for any business.
So buy parts in parts store and find a well priced mobile mechanic that will come to YOU and do it in your driveway. For fraction of dealer cost. Every parts store has them and will not recommend just some Joe Shmoe. One hour of mechanic time should be around $100.
So buy parts in parts store and find a well priced mobile mechanic that will come to YOU and do it in your driveway. For fraction of dealer cost. Every parts store has them and will not recommend just some Joe Shmoe. One hour of mechanic time should be around $100.
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 7
From: Bay Area
My 2013 RX350 has 30K miles. I can feel vibration as I step on the brake. What are the recommended rotor/pads to replace with other than the overpriced OEM at Lexus dealership? BTW - My RX350 equipped with 19in wheel, not sure if it use different rotor from the 18 inch wheel. Thanks
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 50
Likes: 4
From: Ontario
I have 160k km (100k miles) on my 2013. It's starting to vibrate again when braking. I am thinking about changing the front rotors and pads. This would be the third set of fronts. Rears are still original rotor but 2nd set of pads.
Front rotors are $90CAD each at the cheapest local toyota dealer (same part as the Sienna) and OEM pads are $77 off Amazon. I am going to stick to OEM. I don't think these prices are too bad? Going to do this when I switch to winter tires in a couple of weeks.
Front rotors are $90CAD each at the cheapest local toyota dealer (same part as the Sienna) and OEM pads are $77 off Amazon. I am going to stick to OEM. I don't think these prices are too bad? Going to do this when I switch to winter tires in a couple of weeks.
