100/LX Brakes

[LX470Pilot]

Well, my post over at clublexus on this same topic pretty much fell on its face, so since VAL678 told me about this forum, thought I'd ask again, here.

My 2000 LX is in need of brakes. It is out of warranty, and going to the dealer for $1250 doesn't make any sense.

I am interested in trying to orchestrate a Brake Meet, where we all show up at the appointed place and time, and assist eachother with changing out pads/rotors - run eachother to pepboys or some such to get rotors resurfaced etc.

I would do it myself, except I've never done it before, and am really looking for some expert advice and to help others who may be in my situation.

If no one is interested, my next idea is to go to a place like Midas - in which case, I'd also be appreciative of anyone's experience/advice for or against going this route.

Thanks in advance,

-Kali

 

[_JP_]

470 pilot.

i've never changed the brakes on a vehicle before, but with the addtion of the new prius and the future addition of the LC i was planning on figuring out how to do brake work. i drive too aggressively and am hell on brakes.

my main interest was just changing the pads. i have no idea what goes into it, but if you need a hand changing pads, lemme know. as for the whole rotor issue.... a little out of my league. if you keep the pads changed properly you don't have to mess with the rotors, right?

hope others that have done this before respond to this thread.

jp

 

[i4c4lo]

Kali,

The quote the dealer gave you, is that rotor, pads and labor for $1250?

The minimum thickness on the front rotor is 30mm - stock rotors are very close to the same price as DBA rotors.

If you do replace the front rotors, you will have access to the bearings, this would be a good time to repack or replace the bearings and bearing races. You will need an impact wrench to get the rotor off the hub and make sure the hubs are adjusted properly.

Its not a very hard job, just involves a bunch of steps. I am not sure what kind of parts Midas would use, but I would either use stock rotors and pads or DBA rotors with stock pads.

Also, you didn't mention how many miles you have on the truck and why is it $1250.

 

[LX470Pilot]

Not... TOO bright...

Well, I inherited the vehicle in 09/05 with 24500ODO - it's a little more than a yr later and it's coming up on 53000ODO - so, guess it's fair to say I drive a bit.

:whoops:
OK, I goofed - $1250 was the total for the brakes and the 30k service together - just checked the write-up.

Brakes were $620 - which is a heck of alot better. Guess I was so shellshocked by the total price that it was all that stayed with me.

I'd still rather not pay that much though....

-Kali

 

[ff347]

You can download the FSM manaul for $10.00 and I really think that you will see how easy it is. I have not had to price out all the parts, but I really think that you would come in under the $620.00 price.

 

[ff347]

Tada- here is the link

http://techinfo.lexus.com/

It takes a few hours of hunting here and there for the whole thing, but you could grab just the brake area in a few minutes.

 

[LXPearl]

On the LC/LX there is a tendency to wear the rear brake pads sooner than the front. At 53K, you may need both, but possibly only the rears. If you caught the pads in time (before scoring the rotors), you should only have to replace the pads; the rotors should be fine.

I recommend using the OEM pads. They work well for me. A pad change is not very difficult.

Try a Toyota dealer for the brake job and 30K service, they should be less and usually have coupons for additional discounts. Better yet, do the 30K yourself, it is relatively simple. You will find good tips on all the particulars on this forum such as the cabin air filters and AHC fluid replacements. I just changed all my differential fluids and ATF to Redline synthetics (75W90 and D4ATF) and am very happy with them - ready for winter.

 

[i4c4lo]

Kali,

Buy the pads and show up at Surf & Turf and we can do your brakes in less than an hour, front and rear. Its really easy.

 

[LX470Pilot]

Green w/ ENVY!!

You have no idea how tempting that sounds to me at this moment.

Unfortunately, with my mom moving and my girlfriend opening a theatrical show that weekend, and my current study crunch, there's no way I could get up there...dang!@

I called Midas and talked to one of their techs today.

Looks like about $95/front and $50 labor - comparable for rear, total around $300 both axles - better than $620, but I'd still be interested in learning more about my machine by doing it first hand.
The one thing that I'm skittish about is what pads they'll use with their 'Lifetime guarantee'.

I've read stories (NOT midas specific) about low-cost/low-quality pads being used in 'guarantees' to speed up the wear of the rotors, so next time you come in, they give you the cheap pads for free, but get to charge you for the rotors. Any info? Urban Legend?

Anyone in the Los Angeles area able/interested in passing on their knowledge? I know of at least one other person who is interested in having a meet for this, but they don't know much about the 'how to' either.

-Kali

 

[wantacruiser]

I would be interested in this as well. I am currently trying to do the brake job myself. i don't have an impact wrench, and didn't realize that I needed one. I took the tire off, took the caliper off, then realized, I couldn't get the rotor off. (I had worn the pad down to the metal and not realized it.) Kali, looks like we're local. I live in LB as well, but I took my car over to my mom's in Irvine, and it's in pieces there right now. I'll PM you with my number in case you want to work on this together.

 

[hoser]

LX470Pilot--whatever you do, DO NOT take your 100 to Midas for any work. Do a search on here and many others will tell you the same.

 

[LEXCRUISER]

If you don't want to do it yourself, you can call Luxury Motor Works.
They are an independent lexus service in Monrovia, CA.

Here is the website: http://www.luxurymotorworks.com

They are pretty good.

 

[wantacruiser]

How do you get the rotor off for the front? I just took the caliper off, and now I am stuck. Is the rotor supposed to be fixed to the outside housing or is it supposed to be that way when I purchase it? I ask this because I paid less than what Kali said I should be paying, so maybe I didn't get the right thing. Maybe I only got the rotors for the rear. I'm not sure though. I don't have access to those tech links, and I've changed brakes before, just never had to take the rotors off the front. Taking them off the rear was easy enough, figured the front wouldn't be any different. Guess I was wrong. hehe.

 

[Jim_Chow]

How do you get the rotor off for the front? I just took the caliper off, and now I am stuck. Is the rotor supposed to be fixed to the outside housing or is it supposed to be that way when I purchase it? I ask this because I paid less than what Kali said I should be paying, so maybe I didn't get the right thing. Maybe I only got the rotors for the rear. I'm not sure though. I don't have access to those tech links, and I've changed brakes before, just never had to take the rotors off the front. Taking them off the rear was easy enough, figured the front wouldn't be any different. Guess I was wrong. hehe.

The front rotor bolts to the hub, so you need to remove the front hub. Since you have the caliper off, you now remove the dust cap, the c-clip, the 6 nuts and cone washers underneath (pound bolts w/ brass bar and BFH). This will expose the stuff inside. You'll need a 54mm 6pt socket SST to remove the axle nuts, remove lock washer. Now you can remove the hub and outer bearing and bolt on the new rotor. As everyone has mentioned before, you may as well repack the inner wheel bearing (need a new oil seal) since it's only a few minutes more work.

BTW, does anyone here reuse those 6 nuts that go on the bolts w/ the cone washers? The FSM says to replace them, but it also says to replace the bearings (and we know those will go like 200K mi). They are gold-colored, as if made of brass? I've always reused the steel ones on my 4runner.

 

[drsales]

When I had mine done the bolts were reused. However I second on
DO NOT USE MIDAS
They will squeal and do more damage than good. You can get Mr.T pads for around $50 per axle.

Do like I have find a Toyota independent mechanic and also find some other cruiser heads that will assist on the easy stuff.

After watching Onur work on mine it really is easy, once you have the proper tools etc.

Good luck.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

DO NOT GO TO MIDAS FOR YOUR BRAKES!

Buy the parts from Cruiserdan or John Hocker and if you must, have a local shop you trust install them. Or, go to Toyota.

 

[ace10]

DO NOT GO TO MIDAS FOR YOUR BRAKES!

Buy the parts from Cruiserdan or John Hocker and if you must, have a local shop you trust install them. Or, go to Toyota.

X2.

 

[LX470Pilot]

Ok! Ok! Ok!

I WON"T GO TO MIDAS!!

I've heard from several other members (including one who really needs it) that they are interested in getting together.

At the moment, there are 4 of us who want to do the meet.

4 guys with no brake experience....

4 soldiers with no commander

4 little indians and no chief

See what I'm getting at here?


We would be very appreciative of anyone who has done this before to agree to teach us.

 

[Jim_Chow]

If you do have to use an indep toyota dealer, I used to go to Fenton's in Redondo Beach (Marine and 405 across from 4WParts). The owner & head mechanic (Craig Fenton) only uses OEM parts, used to drive a Toyota 4wd mini he salvaged from a swamp and rebuilt & sold, now drives a LS400 w/ 1UZ V8. I had him do the timing chain on my 4runner back in '02 (I mailordered the parts, so you can still buy from CDan and supply him the parts), also had him install a new TRD cam (+new rocker arms), replaced exhaust valve guides, seals, aftermarket header, etc. So far, 71K mi later at 196K, so good!

 

[wantacruiser]

Glad that there are 4 of us now...Of the 3 others, how many are just changing the pads? If any are doing that, the job is a lot easier (I know how to do that part). After reading Jim_chow's explanation, I think I'm over my head a little because I don't know what he's talking about. 54mm?!?! That I'm quite certain I don't have. Is that why you would need the impact wrench?

Does anyone here know where I might find some tutorials on changing out the rotor?