Ls1danny

So the lady's GS350 was squeaking and finally got around to ordering the parts. Used orileys Wagner thermo quiet front pads and new rotors. For a few days the annoying sound finally clears up and all is good even did an oil change. Then she tell me the squeaking is back, I'm thinking wtf, I drove the car today and it's a high pitch and intermittent, if I just let off and keep playing with the brake it'll go away. Sounded like it was coming more from the front driver side.
Now I had read about the brakes on these cara before buying parts and I hear the shims are an issue. I figured since I was getting new parts that wouldn't matter since new shims come on the new pads.

What I'm I doing wrong here guys, trust me this is embressing pulling up to other cars with a high pitched squeal.lol

07 GS350 btw and I had called the Lexus dealer before getting parts to see if it had a recall or if anything in regards to brake shims was ever done with a Lexus dealer, and they said no.

gridlock13

iTrader: (1)

did you put anti-squeal lubricant on the back of the shims?

Ls1danny

Yes. This sux.
I'm wondering if I need to buy oem shims.

Mikeyy

iTrader: (3)

Aftermarket pads and rotors or all oem part?

Ls1danny

Aftermarket from orileys/kragen
Rotors are suppose to be oem quality but we all know how that goes.

Ls1danny

But I've never had any issues with aftermarket brakes on any car, I had an LS400 with no issues after a brake job. But these brakes are different.

arnieosp

iTrader: (1)

I'll second this. When my front brakes started squealing at very low speeds w/breaks applied, I bought 2 packets of that lubricant, pulled the pads out and lubricated $hiit out of them: between the pad and the shim, the pad and the caliper, etc. The squealing stopped completely. Total investment: $1.29x2, and it took me about 40 minutes in my garage.

masboy

iTrader: (30)

yeah put more anti-squel lubricant in back of the shims.

IF that still doesnt work, get a new shim & new OEM pads.

personally i won't buy brake parts from kragen / orileys for my 3GS, stick with OEM.

OH-MAN

iTrader: (1)

I end up using the factory shims, they have a coating on them that seems to be the only way to keep them from squeeking.
They are not cheep but they work.
I wish I knew what the coating/plastic/polymer is.
It would be a lot easier to use that stuff when the factory stuff wears through.

Ls1danny

Looking up a configuration diagram of the brake system, it seems like oem has 2 shims per side?
I took the brakes apart and put alot of lubricant. And I noticed that one of the shims (aftermarket brake shims) had a broken tab, didn't look like it would affect anything but who knows.
The car doesn't have 2 shims per side like I saw in the diagram, even the DIY thread shows 4 thin shims laid out when doing the brake job.
I just finished it up but didn't get a chance to test drive it I'll have to do it tomorrow after work.
What's the deal with these brakes? Can only oem brakes and shims be used for no noise?
And if I were to get oem brakes would they come with the shim kit or do I have to get those separate? Or should I order the oem shims and try with these pads I bought?
I'm lost lol

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

Well here how it was with me, I had original dusty pads on the car when I bought it. No too long after it started squealing bad on me, I replaced them with Akebono brake pads ( can be bought on tirerack) no squealing at all, well until there were really low and it started again. I used the shims that came with akebono brake pads. Then I replaced them with OEM low dust brake pads and bought brand new shims with them and installed. I had the squeal for maybe about 400 miles few weeks and then it all wen't away. My mechanic did put some black grease between the shims and said thats what he always uses and it is guaranteed to work. So far no problems what so ever. I hear that rotors can also make it squeal but usually its the brake pads and the shims kit that plays the big roll.

BurgBoxstr

Dump the Wagners... they are fine for a Chevy Cobalt... not a GS.

Instead switch out to Akebono ProACT Ceramics (front axle is $70 complete at TireRack) which include proper fitting shims already attached. After X number of attempts to stop dust/squeal w/ OEM, these have been absolutely silent and very low dust on our GS for 5,000+ miles.

Good luck

Ls1danny

Akebano was my first choice but it was the convience that made me go with these. But eneded up taking longer to get. But I drove the car to work today, and no noise yet. Hopefully doesn't come back. But if it does I'll get the akebano.
What about the oem shims, are they suppose to be 4 plates? 2 on stacked together on each side?

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

Yes oem shims comes 2 per each brake pad. One smaller and one slightly bigger.

BurgBoxstr

... and in TSB.1 and TSB.2 for excessive brake dust... all 8 shims for front 'axle' were the wrong size each rev. Thus a big contributing factor for squeal . So if your new pads don't come w/ shims already, make sure you buy the latest revision of shims so they fit properly. To that point, most pad set ups in any car only include/require one shim per pad. Having more mostly just creates addl oppty for vibration/squeal...

Good luck