Vockroth

I bought a set of 04465-48060 brake pads for my 2001 RX300. They are not symmetrical. There is a champer on one end and a fillet on the other. See Photo. I could mount the fillet towards the top or the bottom of each side of car.

The first question is What is the purpose of this fillet?
Second question is Which way do I mount these pads.

I have spoken to a mechanic at the dealer. One said put the fillet opposing each other, one fillet to the top and the other to the bottom on the same rotor. That brought up this next question, By doing this the fillet could either be on the inboard or the outboard side of the rotor, so which is it?

I spoke to the next mechanic and he said Put the fillets either up or down. But match this direction on each rotor.

Hmmm!

Why did Lexus put this fillet in the pad? <<< Key Question

Vockroth

This is the way it looks with 1 fillet up and 1 fillet down on each rotor. If I switch L/H with R/H the fillet moves from Outboard to inboard. So which is right?

Vockroth

Or both fillets to the bottom, or both fillets to the top. Picture shows both fillets to the bottom.

Vockroth

Ok Just got off the phone with another Lexus mechanic. He said both fillets towards the top. He gave a reason too. He said it was for noise reduction. That the top of the pads grip first.

My Theory: I can see that because the bottoms wear faster. This happens because the top tends to spread durring braking. If the bottoms wear faster then the tops would engage first pulling the pad into the rotor. Much like setting up bicycle pads.

Definition of top is the end of the pad where the rotor leaves the caliper, the bottom is the end the rotor enters the caliper.

I plan to install them tomorrow. This suv travels 100 miles a day for commute to work. I should have some more data in a week.

Vockroth

No one answered my original question back in 2008. I did what the mechanic had instructed but feel he was incorrect. It is now April 2013 and I have to replace the brakes again. Does anybody have instruction on how to correctly install the front disk pads?

Baetke

Are there "squeelers" attached to the pads? If so, locate those pads on the inboard side of the rotor.

salimshah

I too think the leading edge (based on spin of the disc) needs to scalloped. This would prevent flaking of the leading edge of the pad.

I just replaced mine yesterday and this time both ends of the pad are scalloped so it is a moot point.

Do remember to transfer the squealers to the inner pad.

Salim

Vockroth

Thanks for the reply.

The squeeler clips or pad wear indicator plate on to one of the ears. The squeeler can be attached to any pad so any pad could be made the inboard pad. The squeelers are to be mounted topside where the rotor enters the caliper when driving forward. See the pictures.

So I don't repeat myself please read original post.

carguy07

..............

Vockroth

I hear ya, some aftermarket pads put a champer on each end of the pad. Lexus had put a huge fillet on one side. I tend to use stock pads on stock rotors or brand X pads on brand X rotors to insure proper wear. This is a different topic.

salimshah

I too get the OEM from Sewell ... both ends scalloped now.

Salim

99rx

iTrader: (6)

The smaller "fillet" side needs to be on the leading edge... I will show this picture to my mechanic as I am seeing him tomorrow and see what he says. But almost positive the small side hits the leading edge.

salimshah

I would like to learn the reason.


Salim

Vockroth

I would also like to know the reason.

Vockroth

Thanks. My service manual RM961U for the RX300 has an illustration using the wrong pads but the right shims LoL. The Pads shown have 4 guide ears/tabs 2 on each side. All the rest of the illustrations have been drawn correctly. In the illustration the only pad face shown is the left side inner. The champer is on the leading edge and the larger fillet is on the trailing. The outer pad is drawn in iso bracket side facing but can't really make out the pad face. I can assume it is a mirror image of the inner pad. I just hate to assume. It's been one of those ask a different mechanic get a different answer.