werewolf

Hi all

I just got a 1998 GS400 and the brakes worry me a little bit. Before I bought the car, it got a clean bill of health from a Lexus mechanic.

But when I drive it, the brakes seem soft (lots of pedal travel and not much stopping power until the end where the brakes grab fairly hard). The brake pedal is also fairly slow to return to the normal position after I press on it hard.

I am wondering if this is just how the stock brakes feel and work or if I might have an issue (air in the brake lines)?

Is there a way to test the brakes without going to a mechanic?

Thanks in advance!

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Sadly, that's the way the OEM GS brakes are. When you need to stop, the GS brakes are some of the best in the world. The problem is the mushy feel and no real brake bite for the first inch or two of pedal travel.

need a cure for it? Convert the front brakes to the Supra TT setup. The disc is bigger, and the caliper has 4 pistons instead of the GS' 2 pistons.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

You might be low on pads, thats how mine was when my pads were wearing thin.

werewolf

How much would that cost?

UZ214

what the pads or the bbk kit? the pads arent that much around 60 for the front call your local dealer

werewolf

Sorry, the price for the Supra TT brake kit

uplusd

I've got a TT setup in the front with Rotora slotted rotors... ATE fluid.. Hawk HPS pads... Goodridge SS lines...

I must say that the pedal is extremely firm.. It is a great feeling. I don't regret spending the $$ at all.

Lexamatic

You can put the parts together the parts for the Supra TT front brakes for around $600. Re-man calipers are available, Rotora Slotted Rotors would be my choice, Rotora coated SS lines (currently using), and a good ceramic pad (Akebono Euro ceramic was recently reccomended to me, I have Axxis Ultimates right now).

Best first step though is Stainless lines and a ceramic pad. Try that and see if you want more later. I think you'll need an 18in. wheel to clear the TT caliper.

werewolf

What do the stainless steel lines do?

marshun

^gives the pedal a firmer feel

Lexamatic

stock rubber lines expand a bit when you hit the pedal, stainless steel lines don't, so the pedal travels less before the pads bite. Rotora makes lines that have a plastic coating on them to protect the line.

werewolf

Thanks for the info!

Lines and pads + labor would run how much...?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Lines are about $100. Pads are about $60-70.

Labor should be about 1-1.5 hours.

movinquick

iTrader: (1)

axxis ultimates brake pads sounds like what you're looking for if you can deal with brake dust

marshun

and you even took the time to explain the "why" part.

sorry i didnt. i get lazy when i type