Background: I recently bought my 2002 SC430. As a condition of purchase the PO had to have the master cylinder assembly replaced.

Issue: I didn't notice this until I used a restaurant drive-thru window. The left front brake makes a small noise when applying or releasing. Sounds metallic and sort of like something is loose (a pad?).

Question: Is this sort of normal? Could it be the tech didn't properly bleed the left front brake and the pads are reacting differently? The brakes don't feel like there is any air in the lines, but.... Other ideas to check?

Going to be a few days before I can take a wheel off, etc. Asked as neither of my other Toyota/Lexus products made/make this sound.

Entirely possible I'm overreacting. I'm still learning the car and have little idea what sounds are "normal".

 

It could be as simples as brake pads worn out. Have your brakes checked when you can.

 

Yes, like tires, when brakes become worn, they become more noisy.

 

Thanks guys. No substitute for getting off my lazy behind and pulling a wheel. Thinking about the sound, and without looking yet, it's like the pad is loose, like maybe a spring retainer failed. Only time I've ever seen that was when someone reused the springs instead of buying a new spring kit when they replaced pads.

Each thing I touch on the car makes me question the tech(s) who worked on it. The PO kept records, but...
Today I swapped out the PCV valve along with the grommet and the hose. All appearances suggest a tech did change the PCV like in the record, but didn't change hose or grommet (and to be fair, that wasn't listed in the charges). The clamp on one end of the hose was so bad it could spin around the hose like it was a ring, not a clamp. What sort of tech lets that go by without a fix, or at least a comment on the repair sheet?.

 

The sc430 requires a special brake bleeding procedure. I don't recall what it is, but if you google "clublexus.com SC430 Brake Bleed BGW70" it will most likely come up

 

The brake pads when down to the minimum will make the grinding sound. This distinct sound is not like any other rubbing sound, you can not miss it.

 

Hi, just to share. I had grinding metal rubbing noise on my left back. It was worn out disc pad rubbing on the brake disc. Unfortunately, damage was done on the disc so I had to replace both back left n right discs n pads.

A week before this, I had my car serviced by local Lexus distributor. Incredible !! Their mechanic had noticed the worn out brake pad n jotted it on his checklist but the incompetent service consultant handed me my car back with thumbs up no other service needed. Had I replaced the pads then, the disc brake would have been fine. To resolve their oversight, they subsidised half the cost of the disc brake n pad replacements. I have since switched my service to a mechanic who left Lexus to set up his own workshop.