additude

I have a 1997 LS 400 and I am changing the pads, rotors and putting new tires on the car. Is there anything I need to know that might surprise me when putting on the new rotors?

Anything I have to be careful of? Any tricks? Special tools?

Thanks,

Wes

lexusk8

Here's a great brake tutorial site geared towards LS's (courtesy of a fellow CL member):

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/brake/

additude

Cool.

Good Stuff. I learned a trick or two.

Thanks!

Wes

Lexusfreak

What kind of tires (all season, summer) & what tire size do you need? Any thoughts on what tires you want or are considering?

additude

I picked up some Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Z rated on line at discount tire, which still has free shipping.

They are here and I hope to have them mounted before Wednesday.

Wes

Lexusfreak

Good choice! Not cheap by any stretch, but they should serve you well. Make sure with these you keep the correct tire pressure & rotate them on time!

additude

I am pretty religious about tire pressure and rotations.

I kept 34 psi in my current set of Yokohama's and they seemed to wear on the outside and inside leaving the center with pretty good thread.

I'm wondering if I need to up the pressure a bit to keep the Center of this 255 wide X 17 low profile tire carrying more weight.

What do you think?

Wes

Lexusfreak

Follow the automakers recommended tire pressures & double check with several tire places to see what they suggest.

additude

Thats what I've done so I am looking for another idea.

Wes

additude

Well my Michelin Pilot A/S Sport's were mounted and balanced yesterday and I also had an alignment done. It was a close call on the valve stems interfering with the calipers on the front as I had very short (wheel barrow) stems in before and the ones I received with the tire shipment were normal short size, but they worked and gave me decent clearance.

I feel I made a good choice in tires. In the past I have had a series of loud noise, whirring sounds and a light shake ever since I put tires and wheels on; almost 5 years ago. To make a long story short, I've swapped out one wheel, 4 tires from one brand (Road Hugger?) to Yokohama's and still didn't get much satisfaction. But now I am on Michelins.

The tire store I took my car to also did an up-scale type balance (I can't remember the technical name) but what they did NOT do was static balance.

So, between putting on 4 new rotors, new brake pads and 4 new Michelins, my car is now quiet like never before, it has no shake-shimmy or otherwise and sticks to the road like glue. I actually took a deep breath in my car....with the music off and could hear myself...I also have heard some little creaks I haven't heard before.

I feel good It was the right thing to do.

Wes

Lexusfreak

You should be very happy with your tire choice! Pilot Sport A/S are good tires.