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Finally did my upgrade. Purchased a used set of 2006 IS 350 front and rear calipers from a local junk yard. Prepped, powder coated, and rebuilt them. Spend more time and effort than I wanted to. Pretty satisfied with the end result. The rear dust shields were a PIA to modify. Had to go back and bend back the lower portions because it was rubbing.
Here are some tips from my experience:
1) Don't waste your time rebuilding the calipers, it's cheaper to just buy new ones. The rebuild kits and pistons are freaking expensive. I had to replace one of the rear pistons due to pitting.
2) The rear dusk shields require a lot of modification compared to the fronts. I used a pair of pliers and a hammer to bend everything back and out.
3) Get a good pair of metal sheers. You'll need to cut a small part of the bottom front shields so that the front calipers fit.
4) Buy a good amount of brake fluid to bleed all of the air out of the system. I did about 3 or 4 rounds of bleeding. If you do bleed the brakes yourself with just a bottle and pvc tubing, make sure the bottle sits higher than the caliper so that the tube makes an upside down U so that any air in the line won't go back into the caliper.
5) Make sure you use the IS350 brake hardware. They the brake shims pins and retainer clips are not the same (even the rears).
Nice tips! That's a nice shade of blue; what paint/kit and process did you use?
Got a few question/problems:
1) I am having rattling in my front passenger brake. It's a light rattling over uneven surfances. I did some research and seems like some aftermarket pads rattle. Anyone has/had this problem? I have Akebono front pads. I didn't have this rattling before doing the swap and I'm sure nothing is loose on the caliper because I double checked the torque specs on the bolts holding the calipers to the knuckle. I am using the OEM pin and metal clip for the front as well.
2) Is this normal? Seems like the rear pad doesn't cover the entire rear rotor. I went to autozone thinking the IS350 pads were bigger than the IS250 but they said it's the same part. I am reusing my rear IS250 pads. Are there bigger aftermarket rear brake pads?
I have not done the conversion to i350 brakes, so this might not mean **** to you. But I replaced all 4 pads with Akebono pads about a year ago and I never noticed any rattle. Been driving on them for about 15k now.
1. I have only used Lexus pads, but haven't experienced any rattling or odd noises of any kind.
2. Yes, that is normal for the pad contact area for the rear.
does anyone how these little U shaped clips are installed on the front brakes? I didn't install them when I upgraded my brakes. I'm thinking maybe this is why I have some rattling going on in the front passenger.
Can I just ask, how much is it to do the conversation if you have to buy all parts either secondhand or new, compare to getting. Actual Btembos if they have it for our car?
Can I just ask, how much is it to do the conversation if you have to buy all parts either secondhand or new, compare to getting. Actual Btembos if they have it for our car?
Here's a break down of what it cost me:
(4) used 2006 IS350 calipers: $220 total
OEM front and rear caliper rebuild kits: $220 (you can buy aftermarket ones for ~$20, but I was already committed and got them special ordered from Lexus)
(1) new OEM rear piston (because rust/pitting): $27.56
Powder coating: $400
Caliper reassembly $100 (because I got lazy and didn't have the correct allen key)
Misc parts for prepping calipers for powder coating: $200 esimated
Front rotors, rear rotors, front brake pads: $428.95
Total: $1596.51 (roughly)
Cost of new Brembo BBK (front and rears with pads and rotors): $7286.40 + shipping and taxes
No brainer as to which you'd go with but how much of an improvement it is the 350 upgrade?
Some say the stopping power isnt gonna be too different it's the pads that does it.
Not sure. I just upgraded for aesthetic looks, the performance is a plus. I've read that member JavyLSU runs IS350 brakes on his IS250 and he actually tracks his car. As for DD, there's really no much difference between the two. Tires affect braking distance more than brake size.
05-19-17, 12:57 PM
