Dealership swears that I have no brake/rotor issues..I insist otherwise
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Dealership swears that I have no brake/rotor issues..I insist otherwise
2008 LS460 standard wheel base. 60k miles. CPO. Have had it for five months. I drive it an average of 60 miles per day. I'd say that 8 times out of 10 when I apply the brakes in my car, regardless of how fast I'm going, I feel shaking and pulsating. The faster I'm going, the more noticeable it is when I slow down to stop.
After about three months of trying to ignore this I brought it to the dealership (Rallye Lexus Glen Cove) because it was time for an oil change anyway, and that comes with a 21 point inspection. I was waiting for the dealership call to tell me that either I needed new brakes, or that my rotors were warped and needed to be replaced or resurfaced, or that I needed new control arms (I've read on here that can be an issue at around 60K).
To my surprise the service manager told me that they went over the whole car, found nothing wrong with it. I told them that they must have overlooked something, the car is not supposed to shake when I apply the brakes...ever. Its supposed to stop smoothly without any noticeable pulsating the same way it does in my Audi and Mercedes. He replied and told me that they will check again, and take it on a road test to see for themselves. With that, he called me back, telling me again that they cant find any problem, and that when they test drove the car, even on the highway, they found no significant pulsating or shaking. He also said that my brakes have plenty of life left on them and there's no need to replace them.
As soon as I picked my car up, the same pulsating occurred as it did before I dropped it off. Now I'm starting to think that the dealership is lying to me, or that I'm crazy. Why would the dealership not want to do work on a car? Are brakes and rotors covered by CPO warranty, and they just don't want to do the work? If its not covered, why would they turn down money? Has anyone else out there had this issue?
This bothers me so much I'm actually thinking about getting rid of the car. Please any help at this point would really be appreciated.
After about three months of trying to ignore this I brought it to the dealership (Rallye Lexus Glen Cove) because it was time for an oil change anyway, and that comes with a 21 point inspection. I was waiting for the dealership call to tell me that either I needed new brakes, or that my rotors were warped and needed to be replaced or resurfaced, or that I needed new control arms (I've read on here that can be an issue at around 60K).
To my surprise the service manager told me that they went over the whole car, found nothing wrong with it. I told them that they must have overlooked something, the car is not supposed to shake when I apply the brakes...ever. Its supposed to stop smoothly without any noticeable pulsating the same way it does in my Audi and Mercedes. He replied and told me that they will check again, and take it on a road test to see for themselves. With that, he called me back, telling me again that they cant find any problem, and that when they test drove the car, even on the highway, they found no significant pulsating or shaking. He also said that my brakes have plenty of life left on them and there's no need to replace them.
As soon as I picked my car up, the same pulsating occurred as it did before I dropped it off. Now I'm starting to think that the dealership is lying to me, or that I'm crazy. Why would the dealership not want to do work on a car? Are brakes and rotors covered by CPO warranty, and they just don't want to do the work? If its not covered, why would they turn down money? Has anyone else out there had this issue?
This bothers me so much I'm actually thinking about getting rid of the car. Please any help at this point would really be appreciated.
Last edited by Greezy; 05-29-14 at 10:41 AM.
#2
2008 LS460 standard wheel base. 60k miles. CPO. Have had it for five months. I drive it an average of 60 miles per day. I'd say that 8 times out of 10 when I apply the brakes in my car, regardless of how fast I'm going, I feel shaking and pulsating. The faster I'm going, the more noticeable it is when I slow down to stop.
After about three months of trying to ignore this I brought it to the dealership (Rallye Lexus Glen Cove) because it was time for an oil change anyway, and that comes with a 21 point inspection. I was waiting for the dealership call to tell me that either I needed new breaks, or that my rotors were warped and needed to be replaced or resurfaced, or that I needed new control arms (I've read on here that can be an issue at around 60K).
To my surprise the service manager told me that they went over the whole car, found nothing wrong with it. I told them that they must have overlooked something, the car is not supposed to shake when I apply the breaks...ever. Its supposed to stop smoothly without any noticeable pulsating the same way it does in my Audi and Mercedes. He replied and told me that they will check again, and take it on a road test to see for themselves. With that, he called me back, telling me again that they cant find any problem, and that when they test drove the car, even on the highway, they found no significant pulsating or shaking. He also said that my breaks have plenty of life left on them and there's no need to replace them.
As soon as I picked my car up, the same pulsating occurred as it did before I dropped it off. Now I'm starting to think that the dealership is lying to me, or that I'm crazy. Why would the dealership not want to do work on a car? Are breaks and rotors covered by CPO warranty, and they just don't want to do the work? If its not covered, why would they turn down money? Has anyone else out there had this issue? This bothers me so much I'm actually thinking about getting rid of the car. Please any help at this point would really be appreciated.
After about three months of trying to ignore this I brought it to the dealership (Rallye Lexus Glen Cove) because it was time for an oil change anyway, and that comes with a 21 point inspection. I was waiting for the dealership call to tell me that either I needed new breaks, or that my rotors were warped and needed to be replaced or resurfaced, or that I needed new control arms (I've read on here that can be an issue at around 60K).
To my surprise the service manager told me that they went over the whole car, found nothing wrong with it. I told them that they must have overlooked something, the car is not supposed to shake when I apply the breaks...ever. Its supposed to stop smoothly without any noticeable pulsating the same way it does in my Audi and Mercedes. He replied and told me that they will check again, and take it on a road test to see for themselves. With that, he called me back, telling me again that they cant find any problem, and that when they test drove the car, even on the highway, they found no significant pulsating or shaking. He also said that my breaks have plenty of life left on them and there's no need to replace them.
As soon as I picked my car up, the same pulsating occurred as it did before I dropped it off. Now I'm starting to think that the dealership is lying to me, or that I'm crazy. Why would the dealership not want to do work on a car? Are breaks and rotors covered by CPO warranty, and they just don't want to do the work? If its not covered, why would they turn down money? Has anyone else out there had this issue? This bothers me so much I'm actually thinking about getting rid of the car. Please any help at this point would really be appreciated.
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RodT thank you for the fast response. I figured that the only motive for the dealer to tell me that the car has no problems is that they don't want to go into their pockets to replace or fix anything. If that is true then obviously the service manager is a crook and I need to go to a different dealership altogether. The dealership where I bought the car is an hour away so that's the only reason I've been delaying going there. A second opinion would be nice though. With my schedule, being there when they actually road test the car just isn't an option. It would be great if I could do that. Looks like I need to find someone in my family to drive the car so that they can also feel the same pulsations I'm feeling, and have them go to the dealership on my behalf to get to the bottom of this. Still, this can't just be my LS, someone out there must have had an issue like this and found a solution (I hope). Thanks again.
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I suspect it's more a case of incompetence on the part of the dealer - they apparently don't know how to reproduce warped rotor vibration. Take the mechanic on a test drive with you and demonstrate the vibration to him. No need to have a family member waste their time just to be told the same thing.
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I suspect it's more a case of incompetence on the part of the dealer - they apparently don't know how to reproduce warped rotor vibration. Take the mechanic on a test drive with you and demonstrate the vibration to him. No need to have a family member waste their time just to be told the same thing.
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Agree that the issue sounds like warped rotors, they can cut them to make them smooth again and if they can't be cut anymore then replace the rotors problem solved.
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Easy enough. I'm going to make an appointment for service at a different dealership. Then when they tell me it was the rotors that were warped the whole time, I'll make it a point to call up the first dealer that made me look like an idiot, and ask them to explain to me how they couldn't detect something this simple. Thanks for your help.
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#9
That's unusual as brakes and rotors are NOT covered under the CPO warranty. You would think that they would want to replace as brakes are a big profit driver for shops. The only explanation could be that the vibration occurs when the rotors are cold and lessens when they get hot. You drop off they test right away and can't replicate. The car cools while waiting for you to pick up, it happens again.
#10
Let me correct you on one thing...the dealership does not lose money when repairing a CPO car. They are provided the parts from Lexus and are paid for the service they perform?
Lexus would NOT overlook anything on your car. If it needs repair, they will let you know, even if it is a CPO car.
Lexus would NOT overlook anything on your car. If it needs repair, they will let you know, even if it is a CPO car.
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That's unusual as brakes and rotors are NOT covered under the CPO warranty. You would think that they would want to replace as brakes are a big profit driver for shops. The only explanation could be that the vibration occurs when the rotors are cold and lessens when they get hot. You drop off they test right away and can't replicate. The car cools while waiting for you to pick up, it happens again.
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Let me correct you on one thing...the dealership does not lose money when repairing a CPO car. They are provided the parts from Lexus and are paid for the service they perform?
Lexus would NOT overlook anything on your car. If it needs repair, they will let you know, even if it is a CPO car.
Lexus would NOT overlook anything on your car. If it needs repair, they will let you know, even if it is a CPO car.
Not trying to undermind you on this and I would like to think that Lexus wouldn't overlook anything... but its clear to me that they did
#13
If you could please upload all your rotors & pads images to this thread then we will have a better understanding what cause the issue.
Since your vehicle has about 60K miles plus, it might be a good idea just replace all the pads and rotors. However, before replacing all the rotors and brake pads. Try to find another set of wheels and do a test. You should know what to after that. I hope this helps!
Since your vehicle has about 60K miles plus, it might be a good idea just replace all the pads and rotors. However, before replacing all the rotors and brake pads. Try to find another set of wheels and do a test. You should know what to after that. I hope this helps!
#14
Whenever a dealer tells you that something your car is doing is normal, just tell them fine, let's take out one of your demos and see if it does it also.
That will be the end of that argument.
That will be the end of that argument.
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If you could please upload all your rotors & pads images to this thread then we will have a better understanding what cause the issue.
Since your vehicle has about 60K miles plus, it might be a good idea just replace all the pads and rotors. However, before replacing all the rotors and brake pads. Try to find another set of wheels and do a test. You should know what to after that. I hope this helps!
Since your vehicle has about 60K miles plus, it might be a good idea just replace all the pads and rotors. However, before replacing all the rotors and brake pads. Try to find another set of wheels and do a test. You should know what to after that. I hope this helps!