DIY Front Brakes for IS350
#16
#18
If your not resurfacing the rotors then just pull the pins out and get yourself a screwdriver and get it in between the rotor and the pads and pry the pads back, don't worry about the rotor you are not going to damage it in any way at all by doing this. You should also be opening the bleeder screw on the brake calipers before pushing the piston, this will lessen the force required to push the pistons in and also you shouldn't force the fluid backwards through the system, you could overflow the master cylinder reservoir or possibly damage the internal seals of the braking components, although the later is not likely it is still possible.
#19
Belive it or not it was just an old bar that held up an iron board that was in the garage but you can use a big screwdriver if you want but I recommend placeing the caliper on it's side on a small step stool or stack a couple of 2X6's together so that you can lay the caliper on it's side and push down on the rings 1 at a time alternating them the flip the caliper over and do the other 2 rings.
#20
If your not resurfacing the rotors then just pull the pins out and get yourself a screwdriver and get it in between the rotor and the pads and pry the pads back, don't worry about the rotor you are not going to damage it in any way at all by doing this. You should also be opening the bleeder screw on the brake calipers before pushing the piston, this will lessen the force required to push the pistons in and also you shouldn't force the fluid backwards through the system, you could overflow the master cylinder reservoir or possibly damage the internal seals of the braking components, although the later is not likely it is still possible.
#21
You know I spoke with the Parts Department at the Dealer and he told me that is why they changed out to the new Brake pads because the ones for our ride wear out too quick, that was the complaint they were getting not because of the enormous amount of Brake Dust. I just got done with mine this morning and thought doing a DIY would help people out because of the price they charge to change out the Brakes at the dealrship. but it is not hard at all. trust me it's cake.
Even if you purchased your IS back in Nov of '05... I'd venture to guess that you have about 16k on the car in that case. So, you are saying that this is a common enough problem that Lexus IS brakes generally need to be replaced every 15k - 20k??
That won't be a deal breaker for me - but it definately goes as a HUGE negative against my decision on the IS. I'm used to having vehicles that can go at least 40k!! I thought Lexus was better than this???
You said the dealer is going with new pads - not sure I understood. you saying the stock cars are coming from the manufacturer with better pads now or that the pads you used to replace the originals with are different?
#22
Do you drive abnormally hard? Anyone else have any thoughts as to if this is a problem with the IS in general or if it is just limited to the few who drive their cars EXTREMELY hard???
#23
yup, but the way i do brakes is i do one pad at a time, so i would push the right pistons in and put in the new pad in and push the left pistons in and install the new one. usually only takes 10-15 mins for brake systems like these.
#24
I'm not worried about doing it myself -actually, I don't even own an Is yet. But, it is in the final running for my next car which I'll be getting in the next 2 months. I have an SUV (VW Touareg) and drive it pretty hard... and brake quite hard as well. Had it since Summer of '03... and I still have quite a bit left on my pads!! (36k on the car).
Even if you purchased your IS back in Nov of '05... I'd venture to guess that you have about 16k on the car in that case. So, you are saying that this is a common enough problem that Lexus IS brakes generally need to be replaced every 15k - 20k??
That won't be a deal breaker for me - but it definately goes as a HUGE negative against my decision on the IS. I'm used to having vehicles that can go at least 40k!! I thought Lexus was better than this???
You said the dealer is going with new pads - not sure I understood. you saying the stock cars are coming from the manufacturer with better pads now or that the pads you used to replace the originals with are different?
Even if you purchased your IS back in Nov of '05... I'd venture to guess that you have about 16k on the car in that case. So, you are saying that this is a common enough problem that Lexus IS brakes generally need to be replaced every 15k - 20k??
That won't be a deal breaker for me - but it definately goes as a HUGE negative against my decision on the IS. I'm used to having vehicles that can go at least 40k!! I thought Lexus was better than this???
You said the dealer is going with new pads - not sure I understood. you saying the stock cars are coming from the manufacturer with better pads now or that the pads you used to replace the originals with are different?
#25
So I take it you haven't changed out the brakes on an IS350 yet or your IS.
#26
brakes are brakes. most cars have similer designs. it IS350 brakes looks like the supra TT brakes and ive done them without having to remove the caliper at all. when it stops raining ill take the brakes off of my IS350 and see wassup, ok? bet i can do it without having to remove the caliper. i may not have done it on the IS before but Ive done hella brake jobs before.
edit:
whats the difference between the IS350 brakes and the brakes on this supra TT
edit:
whats the difference between the IS350 brakes and the brakes on this supra TT
Last edited by wolverine; 02-10-07 at 07:04 PM.
#27
I don't think Lexus is going to start offering the lower performance pads as "standard". They are just offering them as free replacements to people that complain about excess dust. There are also PLENTY of people getting lots of miles out of their stock pads. I wouldn't be surprised if most got more than 30K out of them.
However, I appreciate the DIY on this. I've always done my own brake work, but this is my first Toyota product, and it was obviously going to be very different from all the others I've done.
FWIW, there isn't ANY reason to be worried about overflowing the brake reservoir unless you've added more fluid since the brakes were new. Just do one wheel at a time, then pumpe the brake pedal to seat the pistons before continuing to the next wheel.
However, I appreciate the DIY on this. I've always done my own brake work, but this is my first Toyota product, and it was obviously going to be very different from all the others I've done.
FWIW, there isn't ANY reason to be worried about overflowing the brake reservoir unless you've added more fluid since the brakes were new. Just do one wheel at a time, then pumpe the brake pedal to seat the pistons before continuing to the next wheel.
#28
This is the tool we all need, we just don't need to spend $239! I saw them doing brakes during LeMans last year and have wanted one since. Whenever Hawk comes out with some pads I 'm going to change mine out too. http://eagleday.stores.yahoo.net/brmato.html
#30
This is the tool we all need, we just don't need to spend $239! I saw them doing brakes during LeMans last year and have wanted one since. Whenever Hawk comes out with some pads I 'm going to change mine out too. http://eagleday.stores.yahoo.net/brmato.html
No word on Hawk, but EBC does have Green Stuff (ceramic) and Red Stuff pads for the 2IS.