Does replacing the front rotors require special tools? How easy is it on a 2nd generation GS300?

Thanks in advance

 

Easy as pie.

Once you take out the wheel, all you need to do is get a 17mm socket and remove the 2 bolts holding the caliper to the bracket. once the caliper is off, you can pull the rotors off. It's that easy

 

Not trying to hijack your thread man....
To go more into detail on what the OP asked.
Bleeding the brakes is difficult?
And throwing some new Pads too hard?

 

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/brake/fbpad.html
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/brake/bleeding.html

LS400 tutorials, but it applies to the GS also. Bleed the brakes after you put in the new pads.

Also while you're bleeding the brakes, put the key into the "ON" (without starting the engine) position.

 

Are there any other notable differences between the LS and GS procedures?

Also curious, what is the reasoning for having the key in the "ON" position?

Thanks

 

The ABS valve needs to open up otherwise fluid wont come out as much. Either that, or you can shell out $6000 for a Lexus scanner

The procedures are the same.

An advice if you're going to replace the pads and bleed the brakes. When you Push in the pistons on the caliper, open up the bleeder bolt so fluid can come out. It'll be easier to push in the pistons. You're going to bleed the brakes afterwards anyways so no worries about inducing air into the system.

 

Make sure it's a 6-point socket and 1/2" drive, or else you'll round off the head of the bolt and it won't come out.

A 1/2" drive ratchet alone may not be enough. Either purchase a real breaker bar, or head to Home Depot and purchase a $2 piece of PVC pipe. Cut it into an 18" section and slip it over your ratchet. That should give you enough leverage to remove the bolt...usually.

 

Hey, what's this ABS valve you speak of? I think there's some air in my brake system but I can't get it out. It doesn't seem like it's in the lines but rather it's somewhere in the ABS pump unit. I know the IS300 has that valve on the ABS unit but I don't see it on the GS. If I can't find any way to manually bleed then I might have to ask my friend to lend me his Toyota factory scantool. He lives kinda far away so that's a last resort

 

Jeff, that's because the ABS motor is actually attached to our master brake cylinder. Thats why it looks so beefy because it's one whole unit. Another reason why it also cost $1800 to fix if either the MC or the ABS actuator breaks

Not sure why we have 1 unit instead of 2 separate units like most other Lexus.

 

It's 1 unit because the braking system has an electrically assisted booster pump. Older cars have the vacuum assisted booster.

New type= braking power still at 100% if engine stalls out or engine is off.
Old type= brakes lose assist after engine stalls or is off.

Try it, just roll down a hill or driveway in neutral with key in run position where gauges are lit, but have the engine off. The brakes will work as strong as they would be if the engine was running.

But where's the ABS bleeder valve for the GS? Or was that for another car?7

 

There is no ABS Bleeder valve for the 2GS. Jefftsai, he was right. The only way you can get the air out of the ABS pump by the Toy/Lex scanner.

 

Actaully what I meant was why do we have the ABS motor/actuator attached to our master cylinder as 1 unit, instead of 2 units like the LS430 where you can actually replace the ABS actuator independent of the Master cylinder, and vice versa. If our master cylinder breaks, its a $1500 fix. If the LS430's MC breaks, it's a $300 fix.