Advise on changing brake pads
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Rookie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin/Florida
Advise on changing brake pads
Good day all. I need a shop to replace the brake pads on my 2016 RX350 AWD. Is this an easy task for any qualified mechanic to tackle OR should I have a certified Lexus/Toyota dealer do the job? What would be an average cost to do this?
Thanks in Advance!!
Thanks in Advance!!
Last edited by Rollerdog; Mar 16, 2025 at 11:36 AM. Reason: Sp
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 835
Likes: 408
From: PA
Your vehicle is 9 years old and if they still have the original rotors definitely have them replaced. Ask around for a good mechanic. There are very good independent shops and you have to find them, just like shopping for anything else. Otherwise take it to a Toyota dealer and let them do it.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 563
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From: Mid-West
Contrary to men, rotors do not degrade with age. 😊 I would keep rotors, if rotors have not been resurfaced and have enough material. You can check with indi mechanic if he/she can skim cut/reface these rotors and install new pads. Mechanic can measure rotor thickness even without removing the wheels, and let you know if this is possible. However, I recommend installing new hardware (springs, etc.) with your new pads. Also, my vote goes to OEM pads and hardware for sure.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 835
Likes: 408
From: PA
In some areas, like where I live in Philadelphia, the cost of labor is high and you will not find a shop that will resurface your rotors. You buy new ones. I know this from personal experience. If you have old rotors with cooling fins and vented, they get very rusty over time inside the vents and impossible to clean up. They no longer cool properly. It might be a good idea to replace them during a brake job.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,939
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From: New York
In some areas, like where I live in Philadelphia, the cost of labor is high and you will not find a shop that will resurface your rotors. You buy new ones. I know this from personal experience. If you have old rotors with cooling fins and vented, they get very rusty over time inside the vents and impossible to clean up. They no longer cool properly. It might be a good idea to replace them during a brake job.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 563
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From: Mid-West
Rust inside of vents in front rotors does not affect heat dissipation. In regards of heat retention/dissipation, for 2016 RX front rotors are 28mm thick/reject size 25mm, rear rotors are 18mm/reject size 16.5mm. Keep in mind that reject size is specified as to function just as well as brand new rotor. Considering that by turning each rotor you remove about 0.25mm from each side, you will be very safe for 2-3 cuts. Yes, thicker rotor absorbs heat better (retains more heat due to more mass), but it does not dissipate heat better vs thinner rotor. You can go either way, it is up to you, which way to proceed.
Last edited by Lex2000TL; Mar 20, 2025 at 02:29 PM.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 253
Likes: 184
From: Az
Raybestos front rotors are $45 each at RockAuto, they have less expensive ones as well as some more expensive ones. I suspect it would be hard to find a shop these days that would turn them for 45 each…and for that price, I would just go with new ones.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 26
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From: Wisconsin/Florida
I ended up taking my RX to a Toyota dealer. The front pads are still 50%. Dealer said I need new rear rotors, pads and 1 caliper. They needed to order Lexus parts. This will end up costing me $1000
Driver
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 55
Likes: 13
From: Md
rotors, hhmmmm
calipers…why
Stopping power is on the front brakes at 80%
unless you Dashing, rotors can go upwards of 80k plus before rotor’s considered
calipers, why? Binding? Rusted?.. why was this decided?
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 29
Likes: 10
From: ON
advice I got was to try and do it myself; but I don’t have the place or tools to do so; so I opted to have a local mechanic do the work.
he sourced the parts for me; I went with Akebono pads and Genius fully coated rotors. Entire job was about 1100 dollars (1300 including rear differential and transfer case fluid replacement).
here is the thread I had started with some recommendations https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...x-repairs.html
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Take it for what it's worth, I've had a '99 RX300 went 150k miles with me, '04 LS430 went 160k miles, '10 MDX, and several other Honda and Toyotas, and I have yet to replace a brake rotor after changing pads myself. Unless the rotors are actually warped, you feel any sort of pulsation when braking, or looked cracked, or are actually down beyond serviceable thickness, no need to resurface them, they are fine. My pads have always gone to min of 30k miles a set of mixed driving (60/40 highway) and even wear. Unless the brakes vibrate, don't do anything to rotors, just change the pads.
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