Hi guys. I posted before about misfires on all cylinders and I’m glad to say the issue hasn’t come back and I have 0 codes.

My question today is what can I do to the car to tighten up the steering feel and brakes? I’ve installed new, albeit cheap, brakes and rotors and the braking still feels similar to when I got the car. When braking, there’s more travel than I’d like before I feel like the brakes are doing something, but also there’s no bite to the brakes (which I assume is because I cheaped out on them for now). Also, the steering has a bit more play than I’d like and would like to tighten it up. Getting new tires and and alignment as I type this which should help with the centering of the steering.

Thanks in advance.

 

The stock front calipers and pads are undersized on these cars I highly recommend you upgrade both, which somewhat oddly come from older Lexus models. Here's what I recommend these parts are from a 1996 ES300
CENTRIC 14244125
CENTRIC 14244126
AKEBONO ACT476

The above Centric calipers come with brackets, hardware and pads the pads are okay not great that's why I'm including the Akebono's. Your brakes will feel much better. The hardware is a direct bolt on to your car you don't have to change the rotors.

For the steering inner and outer tie rods should be checked along with ball joints.

 

I spoke to the mechanic while it was on the lift and he said the CV axles are leaking pretty bad and to get those replaced ASAP rather than patching it up. He also said the tie rods have slight play but otherwise, they’re good. He said the steering rack has play so I’m thinking about replacing it with a lower ratio one. Any advice on replacement racks or axles?

 

Check with Toyota or Lexus they might still have remanufactured racks available. If not this is your 2nd best option get Maval W0133-1743243
https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/20...ring_rack.html

Cardone is straight up garbage avoid. For a quicker ratio the 1st generation Solara rack might be a direct fit not sure.

 

How about CV axles? I see them on partsgeek and they seem kind of cheap in terms of price. What brand would you recommend? Or should I go remanufactured for those too?

 

If Toyota has axle remans I'd buy them, I use FEQ axles but they are certainly not as good as the originals. I did read about a failure of an FEQ on this forum so that's concerning but I've had good luck with them. Best option is have the originals re-booted.

 

I jumped on eBay and purchased used OEM axles and steering rack. Those should last me a few years if not more.

I researched the Solara steering rack and found it’s got the same ratio so I opted for the OEM one.

Altogether, it cost me $220 for the parts. Not bad I think.

Btw, how much clearance should the rear tires have between it and the top of the wheel well?

 

Any upgrades for the rear calipers?

 

Sure if you go aftermarket but it will cost you $$$$. Avalon rear rotors and backing plates can be swapped in the rotors are bit bigger. I don't consider the effort worth the return unless you happen to be overhauling the brakes and need new parts.