brakes on an 06 GX

[ESnyder]

We just bought an 06 GX last week (a little plush for my taste but the likes it.) Question about the brakes. It seems like we are on them all the time. The truck seems to run pretty fast in Drive, with no accelerator being applied. Anyone else notice this? Also, brakes seem to not do much for a while when first applied and then brake heavily.

I think the latter may simply be the brakes need new pads (plus rotors are slightly warped, I can feel), but I was curious if anyone else has felt like the truck pushes a lot, and you need to use your brakes a lot more than you might be used to.

I've had plenty of other LCs and other big trucks/cars so it's not a weight thing I'm feeling.

Thanks,
ESnyder

 

[LittleRock80]

We've had our '06 GX for a few months now. Your right, too fancy--but what do I know? The brakes on my wife's truck are very touchy--almost too touchy. I can't say I'm on them all the time though, do you think your 's truck might be idled too high? I've got a question for you; Does it seam as if these trucks should ride a little better than they do with all the adjustible shocks, ifs, etc? Ours seems as if it's bottoming out at times and Im constantly switching back and forth between "sport" and "comfort" settings on the shocks. I was attributing it to the short wheel base....

Thanks,
Jwp

 

[ESnyder]

I agree, the ride seems kind of soft and detached, and heavy, not at all tight. I realize it's not the x3 sport we just sold, but it seems like it's all over the road compared to my 06 tundra or even the 100 series we had a few years ago. Steering feels kind of strange (can't feel the road at all), and the car tends to feel pretty loose in the corners, I suppose because of the height. I think they've really compromised handling to get the soft "cushy" ride. I keep it on sport mode all of the time because it rolls around too much otherwise.

I drive it home the same route as in my work truck, and the GX can't handle the curves nearly as well as the tundra.

All that said, it sure was sweet on our first road trip we took it on... SMOOTH on the interstate. I backed down the suspension there a click or two and it was nice.

I thought about the idle, I think maybe part of it is we've been running both AC's, and that forces the idle up a bit to keep things charging, and that makes the truck run a little faster. We've gotten use to that part. Still has minor brake issues, pads are low and rotors must be rough, because it's braking pattern (long, even, breaking that I would expect, similar to my tundra, at least) isn't there.

Tire inflation sensor is acting up, that's a joy. Some kind of a click/clunk under the driver seat when the car turns medium sharply. Oh well, it's not new. It was a 37K mile truck off lease.

I wanted another 100 series, the mrs. wanted something smaller, she won. I actually do love the size and exterior design (I've seen them for years in Central America traveling and working), but I wish it wasn't so "soft". I've got a couple of other 4wd vehicles and they all ride like 'trucks', and I guess I like it!

 

[ESnyder]

PS-
Haven't noticed any bottoming out feeling at all. Maybe you're air suspension settings are off somehow? I can't really figure out what that does anyway, I tried to turn it off with the off button but it keeps coming back on...

I need to read the manual. I went to detach the battery to re-set the maint reqd light and see if it would re-set the tire sensor, and it said something about "normalizing" the sunroof and windows after. Geesh!

 

[LittleRock80]

We have the same "clunk" under the front seat with medium to hard turns. There was a recall on the driveshaft of these trucks where it and the rear control arms were replaced, but I'm unsure of when the model-year cut-off was ('03-'05?). I agree that they sacrificed a lot for the cushy ride. I feel a lot more confident taking curves in my slightly lifted 80-Series than I do her GX. Like you said though, they sure are nice on the interstate on long road trips. I really enjoy the NAV and the mark levinsen. We took it to Florida right after we got it and it did great--did have to get the AC recharged prior to the trip though. I wouldn't have thought that should happen to a vehicle with 30,000 miles on it though.

jwp