Parking Brake problem is resolved but now there is a NEW PROBLEM

[J Golden]

I brought my Lexus to my highly competent Toyota dealer today for the
80k service and repair of the parking brake problem from a previous
post. The gentleman who serviced the vehicle said the parking brake
cable was hanging up and he lubricated it. He said everything else was
fine. After a couple of miles, I started experiencing a loud noise
from the rear of the vehicle. I had someone with me, and he said it
sounded like a flat rear tire or the tread coming off a rear tire. But
he was baffled since he said that the ride was still smooth. I shifted
the transmission into neutral and revved the engine but the noise
didn't increase so I ruled out an engine/drivetrain problem. We went
to the Toyota dealer who took the RX on a 20 minute test drive and all
was fine. But... when I drove it home today, the noise recurred and
someone in an adjacent lane told me "your car is making a lot of
noise!" The noise is coming from the rear axle. My gut feeling is that
the brakes are the issue. They might be engaging while I'm driving
which might account for what I"m experiencing. When the problem
occurs, if I tap the brake pedal a couple of times, the problem goes
away which I would think supports my idea that the brakes are the
problem.

I'm returning to Toyota tomorrow... but I'd appreciate any suggestions
or comments.

bubsy

[Ray O]

Post by J Golden
I brought my Lexus to my highly competent Toyota dealer today for the
80k service and repair of the parking brake problem from a previous
post. The gentleman who serviced the vehicle said the parking brake
cable was hanging up and he lubricated it. He said everything else was
fine. After a couple of miles, I started experiencing a loud noise
from the rear of the vehicle. I had someone with me, and he said it
sounded like a flat rear tire or the tread coming off a rear tire. But
he was baffled since he said that the ride was still smooth. I shifted
the transmission into neutral and revved the engine but the noise
didn't increase so I ruled out an engine/drivetrain problem. We went
to the Toyota dealer who took the RX on a 20 minute test drive and all
was fine. But... when I drove it home today, the noise recurred and
someone in an adjacent lane told me "your car is making a lot of
noise!" The noise is coming from the rear axle. My gut feeling is that
the brakes are the issue. They might be engaging while I'm driving
which might account for what I"m experiencing. When the problem
occurs, if I tap the brake pedal a couple of times, the problem goes
away which I would think supports my idea that the brakes are the
problem.
I'm returning to Toyota tomorrow... but I'd appreciate any suggestions
or comments.
bubsy

Noises are difficult to identify and diagnose without hearing them first
hand, but the symptoms you are describing could result from a stuck caliper
slide. I believe that your RX has a separate cable-actuated drum parking
brake, so tapping the brakes shouldn't activate or otherwise have an effect
on the parking brake. Other possible causes are bad wheel, axle, or
differential bearings or a wheel that is not seated properly.

[J Golden]

Toyota wasn't able to diagnose the problem They suggested I take it to
Lexus. I made an appointment for Monday so we'll see what they say.

But... I'm still convinced that the problem relates to the parking
brake. This past weekend, I drove the RX for 400 miles while never
setting the parking brake. No noise. no problem. Today, when I got
the RX from Toyota, I set the parking brake, released it, and a few
blocks down the road, the noise occured. after several miles, it went
away. I never set the parking brake again and the noise never
returned. I think that the parking brake re-engaged while the RX is
being driven, resulting in a drag on the rear axle. We'll see if the
Lexus dealer confirms my belief.





On Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:58:45 -0600, "Ray O"

Post by Ray O

Post by J Golden
I brought my Lexus to my highly competent Toyota dealer today for the
80k service and repair of the parking brake problem from a previous
post. The gentleman who serviced the vehicle said the parking brake
cable was hanging up and he lubricated it. He said everything else was
fine. After a couple of miles, I started experiencing a loud noise
from the rear of the vehicle. I had someone with me, and he said it
sounded like a flat rear tire or the tread coming off a rear tire. But
he was baffled since he said that the ride was still smooth. I shifted
the transmission into neutral and revved the engine but the noise
didn't increase so I ruled out an engine/drivetrain problem. We went
to the Toyota dealer who took the RX on a 20 minute test drive and all
was fine. But... when I drove it home today, the noise recurred and
someone in an adjacent lane told me "your car is making a lot of
noise!" The noise is coming from the rear axle. My gut feeling is that
the brakes are the issue. They might be engaging while I'm driving
which might account for what I"m experiencing. When the problem
occurs, if I tap the brake pedal a couple of times, the problem goes
away which I would think supports my idea that the brakes are the
problem.
I'm returning to Toyota tomorrow... but I'd appreciate any suggestions
or comments.
bubsy

Noises are difficult to identify and diagnose without hearing them first
hand, but the symptoms you are describing could result from a stuck caliper
slide. I believe that your RX has a separate cable-actuated drum parking
brake, so tapping the brakes shouldn't activate or otherwise have an effect
on the parking brake. Other possible causes are bad wheel, axle, or
differential bearings or a wheel that is not seated properly.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

[j***@hotmail.com]

The fact that the tech said the parking brake cable in the first place
and your not using the parking brake later (and no noise) would
reaffirm a sticking park brake problem. The parking brake lever may
not be disengaging properly after you used it. (Now this may be a
marginal, sticking cable or the parking brake parts (springs, shoes,
lever) not properly lubed or not releasing.) If the cable is the
problem, don't try to lube it again, just replace the thing.

I don't know what year/model you have. But here is the parking brake
cable for 1999-2003 RX, one side, about $28. You need both sides (~
$60) and labor, if there are no other wear in shoes and hard parts. I
don't think the cables are shared by the Toyota Highlander, so your
Toytoa dealer will have to walk over to the Lexus department.

Post by J Golden
I brought my Lexus to my highly competent Toyota dealer today for the
80k service and repair of the parking brake problem from a previous
post. The gentleman who serviced the vehicle said the parking brake
cable was hanging up and he lubricated it. He said everything else was
fine. After a couple of miles, I started experiencing a loud noise
from the rear of the vehicle. I had someone with me, and he said it
sounded like a flat rear tire or the tread coming off a rear tire. But
he was baffled since he said that the ride was still smooth. I shifted
the transmission into neutral and revved the engine but the noise
didn't increase so I ruled out an engine/drivetrain problem.  We went
to the Toyota dealer who took the RX on a 20 minute test drive and all
was fine. But... when I drove it home today, the noise recurred and
someone in an adjacent lane told me "your car is making a lot of
noise!" The noise is coming from the rear axle. My gut feeling is that
the brakes are the issue. They might be engaging while I'm driving
which might account for what I"m experiencing.  When the problem
occurs, if I tap the brake pedal a couple of times, the problem goes
away which I would think supports my idea that the brakes are the
problem.
I'm returning to Toyota tomorrow... but I'd appreciate any suggestions
or comments.
bubsy

[j***@hotmail.com]

1999-2003 RX parking brake cable, www.rockauto.com:
Loading Image...

Post by j***@hotmail.com
I don't know what year/model you have. But here is the parking brake
cable for 1999-2003 RX, one side, about $28. You need both sides (~
$60) and labor, if there are no other wear in shoes and hard parts. I
don't think the cables are shared by the Toyota Highlander, so your
Toytoa dealer will have to walk over to the Lexus department.

[J Golden]

I took my RX to a Lexus dealer that I have had excellent experiences
with in the past. I dropped off the RX and picked up a loaner (an 09
RX) . Lexus called me later in the day, unable to replicate the
problem, but chose to keep the RX overnight, a good idea. Today, they
drove the RX after having it overnight, and the problem never ocurred.
I picked up the RX this evening, drove it home (30+ miles) and the
problem didn't occur. So perhaps it fixed itself? Who knows?
As for the RX 350 that was the loaner... it handled wonderfully, rode
like a dream, and had several features that my RX lacks. But... the
parking brake pedal is so low when it is released that it prevents me
from resting my foot on the left footrest. I asked the techs at Lexus
this evening if the parking brake pedal could be raised in the RX 350
and they said it can't. So, sad to say, as much as I loved my RX
loaner, I couldn't imagine driving my vehicle everyday with my left
foot uncomfortably wedged to the left of the brake. Sad that Lexus
lost a customer (as did Toyota since the Highlander has the same brake
pedal design). Looks like I'll be back to Nissan or Honda for my next
vehicle.

Post by j***@hotmail.com
The fact that the tech said the parking brake cable in the first place
and your not using the parking brake later (and no noise) would
reaffirm a sticking park brake problem. The parking brake lever may
not be disengaging properly after you used it. (Now this may be a
marginal, sticking cable or the parking brake parts (springs, shoes,
lever) not properly lubed or not releasing.) If the cable is the
problem, don't try to lube it again, just replace the thing.
I don't know what year/model you have. But here is the parking brake
cable for 1999-2003 RX, one side, about $28. You need both sides (~
$60) and labor, if there are no other wear in shoes and hard parts. I
don't think the cables are shared by the Toyota Highlander, so your
Toytoa dealer will have to walk over to the Lexus department.

Post by J Golden
I brought my Lexus to my highly competent Toyota dealer today for the
80k service and repair of the parking brake problem from a previous
post. The gentleman who serviced the vehicle said the parking brake
cable was hanging up and he lubricated it. He said everything else was
fine. After a couple of miles, I started experiencing a loud noise
from the rear of the vehicle. I had someone with me, and he said it
sounded like a flat rear tire or the tread coming off a rear tire. But
he was baffled since he said that the ride was still smooth. I shifted
the transmission into neutral and revved the engine but the noise
didn't increase so I ruled out an engine/drivetrain problem.  We went
to the Toyota dealer who took the RX on a 20 minute test drive and all
was fine. But... when I drove it home today, the noise recurred and
someone in an adjacent lane told me "your car is making a lot of
noise!" The noise is coming from the rear axle. My gut feeling is that
the brakes are the issue. They might be engaging while I'm driving
which might account for what I"m experiencing.  When the problem
occurs, if I tap the brake pedal a couple of times, the problem goes
away which I would think supports my idea that the brakes are the
problem.
I'm returning to Toyota tomorrow... but I'd appreciate any suggestions
or comments.
bubsy

[Anonymous]

You asked the wrong people. Go back to the sales area, ask
to speak with the new car SM. Tell him you'll buy the new
loaner if he'll relocate the park brake stop to accommodate
you left foot habit.

They'll either laugh you out of the store, or do the mod. I'm
bettin' they'll do the mod.

Post by J Golden
I took my RX to a Lexus dealer that I have had excellent experiences
with in the past. I dropped off the RX and picked up a loaner (an 09
RX) . Lexus called me later in the day, unable to replicate the
problem, but chose to keep the RX overnight, a good idea. Today, they
drove the RX after having it overnight, and the problem never ocurred.
I picked up the RX this evening, drove it home (30+ miles) and the
problem didn't occur. So perhaps it fixed itself? Who knows?
As for the RX 350 that was the loaner... it handled wonderfully, rode
like a dream, and had several features that my RX lacks. But... the
parking brake pedal is so low when it is released that it prevents me
from resting my foot on the left footrest. I asked the techs at Lexus
this evening if the parking brake pedal could be raised in the RX 350
and they said it can't. So, sad to say, as much as I loved my RX
loaner, I couldn't imagine driving my vehicle everyday with my left
foot uncomfortably wedged to the left of the brake. Sad that Lexus
lost a customer (as did Toyota since the Highlander has the same brake
pedal design). Looks like I'll be back to Nissan or Honda for my next
vehicle.

Post by j***@hotmail.com
The fact that the tech said the parking brake cable in the first place
and your not using the parking brake later (and no noise) would
reaffirm a sticking park brake problem. The parking brake lever may
not be disengaging properly after you used it. (Now this may be a
marginal, sticking cable or the parking brake parts (springs, shoes,
lever) not properly lubed or not releasing.) If the cable is the
problem, don't try to lube it again, just replace the thing.
I don't know what year/model you have. But here is the parking brake
cable for 1999-2003 RX, one side, about $28. You need both sides (~
$60) and labor, if there are no other wear in shoes and hard parts. I
don't think the cables are shared by the Toyota Highlander, so your
Toytoa dealer will have to walk over to the Lexus department.

Post by J Golden
I brought my Lexus to my highly competent Toyota dealer today for the
80k service and repair of the parking brake problem from a previous
post. The gentleman who serviced the vehicle said the parking brake
cable was hanging up and he lubricated it. He said everything else was
fine. After a couple of miles, I started experiencing a loud noise
from the rear of the vehicle. I had someone with me, and he said it
sounded like a flat rear tire or the tread coming off a rear tire. But
he was baffled since he said that the ride was still smooth. I shifted
the transmission into neutral and revved the engine but the noise
didn't increase so I ruled out an engine/drivetrain problem. We went
to the Toyota dealer who took the RX on a 20 minute test drive and all
was fine. But... when I drove it home today, the noise recurred and
someone in an adjacent lane told me "your car is making a lot of
noise!" The noise is coming from the rear axle. My gut feeling is that
the brakes are the issue. They might be engaging while I'm driving
which might account for what I"m experiencing. When the problem
occurs, if I tap the brake pedal a couple of times, the problem goes
away which I would think supports my idea that the brakes are the
problem.
I'm returning to Toyota tomorrow... but I'd appreciate any suggestions
or comments.
bubsy