blizz24

So after feeling a pulsation in the brake pedal I took the car to the dealership thinking it was something serious (still under warranty) but resulted that I have no brake pads @ only 20k. Was driving the car like that for the past two weeks tops but most of the time was just highway. The mechanic told me that there was metal to metal contact and that the rotors are warped (still don't know how he knows, just because I had no pads?)

So I was thinking of just replacing the pads and see if I notice the same pulsation when braking. If they are warped I should be able to feel the pulsation, right? Or should I just go ahead and replace the rotor just because there was metal to metal contact?

ps: pulsation happens only while taking a wide turn (exit) and braking. Also, rotors have sign of wear (small lip at the outer edge)

Flash5

Sasnuke

Agreed, replace the rotors and pads. The pulsation is caused by the warped rotors...has nothing to do with the pads being worn out.

blizz24

I was hopping I could save the money but I guess not. Anyways, a lot cheaper than paying $650 to the dealer

Flash5

Installing them yourself would be super easy and would save you a lot of money.

E46CT

The rotors were dead thousands of miles ago. Definitely change them. With bells on.

Search eBay for Meyle IS350 rotors $109 shipped to your door. Thank me later.

blizz24

So I took out the pads but there still some meat left on them, so I don't know why the mechanic said there was metal to metal contact.

Sasnuke

Unless one of the 4 pads is metal to metal?
Of course then the question is, why is that one pad metal to metal, if presumably the 3 other pads look like the one in your pic.

blizz24

That's from the driver side and both are the same. The passenger side had more meat left. Now I'm wondering why I felt the pulsation on the brake pedal, if there was no metal to metal contact to cause warpage. Perhaps something else?

Sasnuke

Rotor warpage can occur from a variety of reasons.
Most common is prolonged excessive heat, like when a caliper is seized or seizing, or rapid cooling, like when the rotor is really hot, and then gets hit by water...enough to cool it quickly and warp it.
When pads and rotors go metal to metal, it's quite reasonable that the rotor would not warp at all...it could actually be perfectly straight still, minus when the pad is digging into it.
If you're getting a pulsation now and the pads still have material left, then the rotors are just warped, and would need machining or replacement.
Given the overall condition of the rotors, replacement is likely the best bet.

Miintt

TOPENDMS

Metal-to-metal will score the surface very badly .. but may or may not warp the rotors. Warped rotors are causes from excessive heat to the disc. Warping can happen if you drive fast and then are heavy on the brakes (70+ mph with hard stopping). Non-performance brakes are usually not meant for this level of performance. If you need to drive that fast, then you'll want brakes that can handle the heat: Larger discs, center vented design, drilled, air ducting, etc ..

Flash5

blizz24

I changed the pads and haven't felt the pulsation since, but I already bought the rotors so I'm going to change them anyways

lychee416

I tried to search it on ebay.ca but doesn't have 2018 Lexus is350 rotors. Do you have the link?