biopeter

Hi everybody,

I just install new brake pads and rotors to my 1999 RX300 FWD.
I opened the packages and directly installed them without any modification.

After I drive a little bit, the rotor shows some scratches.

Are these scratch normal?

I attach the photos below:

Front left (driver)

Front right

Rear left

Rear right


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The second question is about my lower control arm.

I take my car to pep-boys for regular rotation.
One of the Technician says the joint of the lower control arm is bad
(the location I pointed in the picture) and I need to change the entire arm.

Is this really a big problem and I need to change right away?

trhs75

I'm not a pro like many of the guys on here, but those grooves appear to be carefully machined into the rotors, probably for heat and dust dissipation. My rotors aren't like that, but I've seen some grooved rotors before. I'm helpless with the tie rod end, but I tend to be leery of quickie oil change places. Good luck -- I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to help you some more!

thomas1

Your control arm rubber is probablly dying like mine did...every bump in the road was felt, I just changed them and the ride is nice again...Big job, but worth it. The 98 Camry arms worked great....

bearbrew

Look at your old rotors and you will see the same type of scratches and possibly some grooving. The scratches are normal wear caused by the brake pads clamping down on the rotors when you apply the brakes. The rotors are a harder material than the pads and wear slower than the pads.

thomas1

That looks like heavy semi metalic pad scratches, did you you semi metalic or ceramic.

biopeter

Hi thomas1,

Thanks for your information about my lower control arm.

I am using ceramic pads.

tcheung87

I am also using ceramic pads with slotted rotors, and had the same scratches appear within the first 1-2K miles. You should be fine it's just grooving and will disappear with normal use.