If I have vibrating when I brake, should I replace the rotors and pads or just get the rotors resurfaced? I have 41K miles on my RX350 F sport.

 

this section is for GS, since you have 41k on rotors, highly suggest replace since they're CHEAP!

 

 

It's certainly EASIER to take in to the dealer to do, but not the most cost effective.

 

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.

 

Just replace the rotors. In ancient times rotors were made of much better metal which would keep them from wearing as fast and give you something to resurface, but also made them more expensive, so cutting them made sense. These days the things are basically wear parts made out of cheap steel where the cost of having them cut can be close, to if not more than, the cost of new ones, and the things may not have enough metal to meet minimum thickness after removing the lateral run out that is causing the shaking.

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.

 

I just called local Oreilly on my wife's 2011 RX rotors. $59 plus tax a pop. $20 to turn. I am really at cross road. To turn or buy new? What do I do, what do I do
He he, I'll just buy new. New is new.

 

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

 

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.

 

That's a good price. My 2011 reached 201K km and dealer told me that original rear rotors and pads need to be replaced. Will cost about C$800 tax in. About C$500 in a Canadian chain.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Anyone done videos on the Gen3-RX350 brake job other than the Youtube generics?

 

No need. Just like all the others.