I need brakes done on my 95 sc4. I just got off the phone with lexus and they quoted $880 for 4 factory pads and 4 rotors machined.... I have searched extensively and have not been able to find a DIY on this. Is there a reason why it's a 4 hour job at lexus? What is involved? what should I pay at an independent shop if I decide to do that? thanks!

If anyone can link me to a Brake DIY that would be great too..

 

Well to be honest. If you have some machanical(spelling) know how. Do it yourself. There is 2 screws that hold the brake caliper to the caliper bracket. Then there is 2 more screws that hold the caliper bracket to the steering Knuckel. Then after that your should be able to pull off the rotor. I wouldn't suggest Resurfacing. I was reading a tech artical about resurfacing. And it said that even though you resurface the rotor. It may not be 70% flat. They suggest to replace the rotors when you do the pads. BTW you have to remove the wheel to get these parts off... Just incase you didn't know. Where in Ca do you live. I can get you some pads and rotors cheaper. LMK

 

I live in Orange County. I have done pads/rotors on my acura and my honda and an old BMW, but I assumed with an 880 dollar quote maybe there was something more complicated on the lexus. Do I have to bleed the system or relieve the pressure/repressurize or anything like that?

Yeah let me know, if you can help with the parts it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Chris

 

You won't have to bleed the system as long as you don't remove your brake lines from your calipers. Replacing your pads and rotors is an easy job.

Pads can be purchased for less than $100. And rotors, depending on if you are going aftermarket(drilled/slotted) or if you are staying OEM.

Just for an estimate, I replaced my pads/rotors and one front caliper for a total of about $300. That was w/ new drilled/slotted rotors and upgraded pads.

 

ok thanks guys, anything special you use to compress the piston?

 

I used a large C-clamp press. Worked fine.

 

$880 For that price you might as well upgrade to some supra or ls 4 piston brakes

 

hmmmmm

 

$800 bucks can get me a big brake kit.
Brake jobs are easy. Rotor jobs are easy too. You could purchase the rotors yourself+brakes and bring it to your local mechanic (not the dealer), and they'll charge WAY LESS than $800+.
Anyways, if you can't find a DIY online, they have instructions in the repair manual, that is if you have one. If you don't have one for the SC, other toyota car repair manuals can still be followed. They're (brake jobs) not that much different.

 

Dang for $880 I would personally drive down to California and change your brakes for you lol.

 

i didnt even machine my rotors when i did mine... they werent warped...

i just went to vato zone and got me front and rear pads for about 60 for all of them and it took me maybe a lil over an hour to do all... the longest part is taking your damn wheels off

then unbolt one part of the caliper... swing it up, push the piston down using a c clamp, take tthe old pads and and put the new ones in, swing it back down and bolt it back down. put your wheel back on... all thatx4

 

ill do ur rears for free if ur in wi

 

i got my rotors and pads from rockauto.com for a good deal. Check them out