Squeeking brakes

[Jeff]

GS 430, still on the original factory brake pads and in this cold
weather the brakes squeal annoyingly when I press on the brakes. Does
not seem right for a "luxury car". Any solutions?

Jeff

[Ray O]

GS 430, still on the original factory brake pads and in this cold weather
the brakes squeal annoyingly when I press on the brakes. Does not seem
right for a "luxury car". Any solutions?
Jeff

Does the noise occur only for the first few brake applications after the car
has been sitting for a while or does it happen at every brake application?

How many miles on the odometer?

What is the remaining brake pad thickness? If the brakes are worn, the
wear indicators may be causing the squealing sound.

[Jeff]

It occurs 50% of the time and then stops for a while. Mostly when
braking at slow speeds.

Mileage 11,000. Don't know the brake thickness.

Jeff

Post by Ray O

Post by Jeff
GS 430, still on the original factory brake pads and in this cold
weather the brakes squeal annoyingly when I press on the brakes. Does
not seem right for a "luxury car". Any solutions?
Jeff

Does the noise occur only for the first few brake applications after
the car has been sitting for a while or does it happen at every brake
application?
How many miles on the odometer?
What is the remaining brake pad thickness? If the brakes are worn,
the wear indicators may be causing the squealing sound.

[Ray O]

It occurs 50% of the time and then stops for a while. Mostly when braking
at slow speeds.
Mileage 11,000. Don't know the brake thickness.
Jeff

The next step is to inspect each of the 8 pads for wear and uneven wear.
You didn't mention what model year the car is, but if it is more than 2 or 3
years old with very low miles or the pads are worn with low mileage, also
inspect the caliper sliders to make sure they are not sticking.

[Jeff]

Thanks. Car is 2007, one year old.

I am due for a yearly state inspection, so will have them look at these
things at the inspection station.

Jeff

Post by Ray O

Post by Jeff
It occurs 50% of the time and then stops for a while. Mostly when
braking at slow speeds.
Mileage 11,000. Don't know the brake thickness.
Jeff

The next step is to inspect each of the 8 pads for wear and uneven
wear. You didn't mention what model year the car is, but if it is
more than 2 or 3 years old with very low miles or the pads are worn
with low mileage, also inspect the caliper sliders to make sure they
are not sticking.

[Ray O]

Post by Jeff
Thanks. Car is 2007, one year old.
I am due for a yearly state inspection, so will have them look at these
things at the inspection station.
Jeff

Let us know what they find.

[Anonymous]

Post by Jeff
Thanks. Car is 2007, one year old.
I am due for a yearly state inspection, so will have them look at these
things at the inspection station.
Jeff

Unless you're planning on a dealer inspection, I wouldn't
expect too much of a diagnosis from the average station
doing inspections.

Post by Jeff

Post by Ray O

Post by Jeff
It occurs 50% of the time and then stops for a while. Mostly when
braking at slow speeds.
Mileage 11,000. Don't know the brake thickness.
Jeff

The next step is to inspect each of the 8 pads for wear and uneven
wear. You didn't mention what model year the car is, but if it is
more than 2 or 3 years old with very low miles or the pads are worn
with low mileage, also inspect the caliper sliders to make sure they
are not sticking.

[Jeff]

Post by Anonymous

Post by Jeff
Thanks. Car is 2007, one year old.
I am due for a yearly state inspection, so will have them look at
these things at the inspection station.
Jeff

Unless you're planning on a dealer inspection, I wouldn't
expect too much of a diagnosis from the average station
doing inspections.

You have a point. I had not considered having the car inspected at the
Lexus dealer. Wonder if they do state inspections (and if they charge an
extra $100 or so - because they are Lexus - on top of the state mandated
fee). If not, that might be a good way to go: have the required state
inspection done by the dealership and also find out why they think the
brakes squeek.

I bet the dealership will simply say I need new brake pads - even if I
do not. I've had that experience in my previous Lexus car. On a routine
Lexus maintenance service, the dealership said I needed new pads. I
passed on their offer to replace them and took it to where I usually get
my pads done (Lexus pads from Lexus, but half the total cost) and they
told me I still had plenty of miles to go before I needed new pads. So I
am leery of what the dealership recommends, though you are right they
may know more about their cars.

Jeff

[DaveW]

Post by Jeff
You have a point. I had not considered having the car inspected at the
Lexus dealer. Wonder if they do state inspections (and if they charge an
extra $100 or so - because they are Lexus - on top of the state mandated
fee). If not, that might be a good way to go: have the required state
inspection done by the dealership and also find out why they think the
brakes squeek.

I had my GS430 inspected at the dealership last week and paid the
standard $37 fee here in New York. FWIW, I don't believe they're
allowed to charge more if it's just an inspection.

[Jeff]

Post by DaveW

Post by Jeff
You have a point. I had not considered having the car inspected at
the Lexus dealer. Wonder if they do state inspections (and if they
charge an extra $100 or so - because they are Lexus - on top of the
state mandated fee). If not, that might be a good way to go: have
the required state inspection done by the dealership and also find
out why they think the brakes squeek.

I had my GS430 inspected at the dealership last week and paid the
standard $37 fee here in New York. FWIW, I don't believe they're
allowed to charge more if it's just an inspection.

Thank you. Will take it there on Monday.

Jeff

[Anonymous]

Post by Jeff

Post by Anonymous

Post by Jeff
Thanks. Car is 2007, one year old.
I am due for a yearly state inspection, so will have them look at
these things at the inspection station.
Jeff

Unless you're planning on a dealer inspection, I wouldn't
expect too much of a diagnosis from the average station
doing inspections.

You have a point. I had not considered having the car inspected at the
Lexus dealer. Wonder if they do state inspections (and if they charge an
extra $100 or so - because they are Lexus - on top of the state mandated
fee). If not, that might be a good way to go: have the required state
inspection done by the dealership and also find out why they think the
brakes squeek.
I bet the dealership will simply say I need new brake pads - even if I do
not. I've had that experience in my previous Lexus car. On a routine
Lexus maintenance service, the dealership said I needed new pads. I
passed on their offer to replace them and took it to where I usually get
my pads done (Lexus pads from Lexus, but half the total cost) and they
told me I still had plenty of miles to go before I needed new pads. So I
am leery of what the dealership recommends, though you are right they may
know more about their cars.
Jeff

Brake pads are typically not too difficult to replace
yourself. I assume that a Lexus procedure differs
little from any other car. As example, here is one
site explaining the procedure.
http://www.automedia.com/Replacing_Brake_Pads/ccr20050701bp/1
I've not read through the steps, but it's not rocket
science. The problem arises when the pad replace-
ment has been neglected, and additional maintenance
is required. Unless you're a very heavy driver, rest
your foot on the brake pedal, or routinely drive with
the parking brake engaged(although I'm not sure a
parking brake on a disc brake model actually uses
the rear brake), I doubt your '07 vehicle will need
new pads.

Additionally, some pads, specifically high performance
models, will commonly squeal, due to their compound.

It seems to me that your vehicle is covered under the
OEM warranty. Personally, I'd just take the vehicle to
the dealer, get the inspection, and tell them to remove
the brake squeal. Let them sort it out, and be very firm
with your belief that the brakes on your vehicle should
not squeal and should be corrected under the warranty
campaign.

[Ray O]

Post by Anonymous

Post by Jeff

Post by Anonymous

Post by Jeff
Thanks. Car is 2007, one year old.
I am due for a yearly state inspection, so will have them look at
these things at the inspection station.
Jeff

Unless you're planning on a dealer inspection, I wouldn't
expect too much of a diagnosis from the average station
doing inspections.

You have a point. I had not considered having the car inspected at the
Lexus dealer. Wonder if they do state inspections (and if they charge an
extra $100 or so - because they are Lexus - on top of the state mandated
fee). If not, that might be a good way to go: have the required state
inspection done by the dealership and also find out why they think the
brakes squeek.
I bet the dealership will simply say I need new brake pads - even if I do
not. I've had that experience in my previous Lexus car. On a routine
Lexus maintenance service, the dealership said I needed new pads. I
passed on their offer to replace them and took it to where I usually get
my pads done (Lexus pads from Lexus, but half the total cost) and they
told me I still had plenty of miles to go before I needed new pads. So I
am leery of what the dealership recommends, though you are right they may
know more about their cars.
Jeff

Brake pads are typically not too difficult to replace
yourself. I assume that a Lexus procedure differs
little from any other car. As example, here is one
site explaining the procedure.
http://www.automedia.com/Replacing_Brake_Pads/ccr20050701bp/1
I've not read through the steps, but it's not rocket
science. The problem arises when the pad replace-
ment has been neglected, and additional maintenance
is required. Unless you're a very heavy driver, rest
your foot on the brake pedal, or routinely drive with
the parking brake engaged(although I'm not sure a
parking brake on a disc brake model actually uses
the rear brake), I doubt your '07 vehicle will need
new pads.
Additionally, some pads, specifically high performance
models, will commonly squeal, due to their compound.
It seems to me that your vehicle is covered under the
OEM warranty. Personally, I'd just take the vehicle to
the dealer, get the inspection, and tell them to remove
the brake squeal. Let them sort it out, and be very firm
with your belief that the brakes on your vehicle should
not squeal and should be corrected under the warranty
campaign.

I think that the procedure for changing the pads in the GS will be different
from the one depicted in the link above if the GS has a full floating 4
piston caliper.

[Jeff]

Post by Ray O

Post by Anonymous

Post by Jeff

Post by Anonymous

Post by Jeff
Thanks. Car is 2007, one year old.
I am due for a yearly state inspection, so will have them look at
these things at the inspection station.
Jeff

Unless you're planning on a dealer inspection, I wouldn't
expect too much of a diagnosis from the average station
doing inspections.

You have a point. I had not considered having the car inspected at
the Lexus dealer. Wonder if they do state inspections (and if they
charge an extra $100 or so - because they are Lexus - on top of the
state mandated fee). If not, that might be a good way to go: have
the required state inspection done by the dealership and also find
out why they think the brakes squeek.
I bet the dealership will simply say I need new brake pads - even
if I do not. I've had that experience in my previous Lexus car. On
a routine Lexus maintenance service, the dealership said I needed
new pads. I passed on their offer to replace them and took it to
where I usually get my pads done (Lexus pads from Lexus, but half
the total cost) and they told me I still had plenty of miles to go
before I needed new pads. So I am leery of what the dealership
recommends, though you are right they may know more about their
cars. Jeff

Brake pads are typically not too difficult to replace
yourself. I assume that a Lexus procedure differs
little from any other car. As example, here is one
site explaining the procedure.
http://www.automedia.com/Replacing_Brake_Pads/ccr20050701bp/1
I've not read through the steps, but it's not rocket
science. The problem arises when the pad replace-
ment has been neglected, and additional maintenance
is required. Unless you're a very heavy driver, rest
your foot on the brake pedal, or routinely drive with
the parking brake engaged(although I'm not sure a
parking brake on a disc brake model actually uses
the rear brake), I doubt your '07 vehicle will need
new pads.
Additionally, some pads, specifically high performance
models, will commonly squeal, due to their compound.
It seems to me that your vehicle is covered under the
OEM warranty. Personally, I'd just take the vehicle to
the dealer, get the inspection, and tell them to remove
the brake squeal. Let them sort it out, and be very firm
with your belief that the brakes on your vehicle should
not squeal and should be corrected under the warranty
campaign.

I think that the procedure for changing the pads in the GS will be
different from the one depicted in the link above if the GS has a
full floating 4 piston caliper.

Not a problem. I have no intention of doing it myself ;-)

Jeff

[Jeff]

Thought to give the group some feedback.

I took the car in to the Lexus dealer for the state inspection. It
passed and they only charged the standard $16 fee for it. I also told
them about the squeaking brakes (it was very loud!). They confirmed it
was present and worked on it under warranty (!). Their diagnosis was
that it was due to excessive brake dust accumulation. They apparently
took the breaks apart, cleaned out the dust and coated the pads with
some kind of gel.

The squeak is now gone. I cannot believe that whatever material they
coated the pads with will last long but clearing the brake dust was
probably a good thing. Unfortunately I do not see what is to prevent
that dust accumulation from recurring again in the future. Maybe when I
change the pads I should use some non-Lexus brake pads(?).

I had to take a loaner car (plus coffee and a donut) because they said
they needed to work on the car for several hours. I can only imagine
what they must have charged Lexus for that warranty service!

Jeff

Post by Jeff
GS 430, still on the original factory brake pads and in this cold
weather the brakes squeal annoyingly when I press on the brakes. Does
not seem right for a "luxury car". Any solutions?
Jeff

[mcbrue]

WOW ! Where is your dealer? Any time I complain about the noisy brakes
or how they bind, grab, and vibrate, I get told that is just normal
and not to worry about it.

[Jeff]

It's Pohanka Lexus in Northern Virginia.

Jeff

Post by mcbrue
WOW ! Where is your dealer? Any time I complain about the noisy brakes
or how they bind, grab, and vibrate, I get told that is just normal
and not to worry about it.