Need advise - Lexus IS250 Calipers.

[Sean Lim]

Dear LOC members,

I have been a secret reader of the club for a long time and it was always my dream to own a Lexus. Last week I finally bought a 2008 Lexus IS250 SE-L.

As the previous owner did not service it for over a year, I brought it to one of the recommended garages in Colindale for a 60k service with spark plugs.

In the afternoon, I received a call that the brake pads and disc were wearing unevenly which could point to a seized caliper. I read that this is a common issue on Lexus' in the UK. The quote to investigate, replace pad and disc and caliper was approach £500 which I thought was on the high side.

I did some research on ECP and GSF and found that I could get 2 calipers (refurbished) and OEM quality pads and disc for significantly less. When researching brake Calipers, I noticed that the Piston Diameter were different. On ECP it is 57mm whereas on GSF it is 60mm. 

My question that I need help answering is what is the difference between 57mm and 60mm? Or is it a typo error base on your experience. 

Look forward to hearing from you!

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/pagid-caliper-13382302J

https://www.gsfcarparts.com/parts/braking/brake-hydraulics/brake-caliper

Edited March 7, 2020 by Sean Lim
Insert weblinks

[scudney]

Are you definitely sure its the caliper and not the sliding pins🤔

[mikes5]

My IS250 2006 calipers 56k miles were seized when I purchased car. could not free seized sliding pins. Replaced calipers with Lexus parts were not too expensive. OEM pads and disks were replaced at same time. Job was not too difficult.

I now grease sliders every year. 

[Sean Lim]

Hey Scudney, not sure tbh as I am acting on the advise of the garage. 😞

[Sean Lim]

Hey Mikes5. my has done 69k so it looks like the problem may be similar. Do you mind sharing where you got yours done?

[PeteTP]

FWIW, may I offer the following....

 

My nearest Lexus dealership wanted (in the past) to remedy what turned out to be a sliding pins issue by repacking callipers and discs, at an eye-watering cost. A second opinion suggested regular inspection and lubrication of the pins.  This was and continues to be my course of action and it’s worked. Just my tuppence worth. Hope it’s of some help.

 

PeteTP

[PeteTP]

Repacking? Meant ‘replacing’....duh🙄

[Sean Lim]

Thanks PeteTP. Luckily I did not yet agree to the work and am going to seek a second opinion from a local independent trusted guy.

[mikes5]

SL did it myself not too difficult if you have replaced disks and pads before.

[steve2006]

The rear brake callipers are only single piston which pushes the pad onto the disc on the piston side, the other pad is pushed onto the disc by the movement of the calliper on the slider pins. If the outboard sections of the discs are less worn down than the inboard (piston side) this would confirm sticking or seized pins and not seized callipers.

Pins cost around £10.00 each so £40.00 for the set, getting them out if seized starts with WD40 and ends with a slider hammer.

[Sean Lim]

Thank you all for your advise, I went to a local independent and he charged me £30 to grease and ‘refresh’ both front calipers. Brakes feel good now!
 

Glad there are so many experience Lexus owners on LOC! Saved me a ton of ££££. 
 

I am slightly disappointed that the Lexus independent specialist tried to get me to spend so much more though. Thought they would know better given their specialist branding.

Edited March 8, 2020 by Sean Lim
Typo error

[Sean Lim]

Yes steve2006, it was the pins that needed greasing. I think I should do it yearly going forward.

[scudney]

Well there you go Sean,you could have spent money you really didn't need to spend 🙂👍

[OldTrout]

Sean,

Are the rear calipers OK?

John

 

[Sean Lim]

Hey OldTrout, no advisories from the servicing so I assume they are okay. MOT brake test results from previous year were positive. Any reason to be concerned?

[scudney]

John,I think the answer to the question about the rear calipers is a yes, had same issue with one of mine(now sorted)and that's why I suggested Sean looked at the pins

[OldTrout]

Sean,

Greasing the caliper pins is not part of a Lexus service and they routinely give trouble. (They do on other makes too.) Once they seize Lexus will replace the whole unit. Removing the caliper and regreasing the pin using the proper caliper pin grease annually will ensure they do not seize. It's straightforward job if you want to do it yourself and the satisfaction of keeping brakes working properly and avoiding a large replacement bill is good.

John

 

[Sean Lim]

Thanks for the advise John! I will need to get a trusted independent to do it once a year as I don't have the confidence to touch the car 

[steve2006]

Over the years I have used various types of grease including copper based and moly grease, more recently I have used Red Rubber Grease RRG and found this to last the best between services and keep the pins sliding.

[OldTrout]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ProSlip-Caliper-Lubricant-Toyota-Mercedes/dp/B07886FP12/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Proslip&qid=1583774632&sr=8-1

is the stuff approved by Lexus and you get the pad and clip lubricant as well. This is what I use. My only connection with the company is as a satisfied customer.

[Sean Lim]

12 hours ago, OldTrout said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ProSlip-Caliper-Lubricant-Toyota-Mercedes/dp/B07886FP12/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Proslip&qid=1583774632&sr=8-1

is the stuff approved by Lexus and you get the pad and clip lubricant as well. This is what I use. My only connection with the company is as a satisfied customer.

Thanks Old Trout! I will certainly buy some, might get the garage to grease all pins soonish, for my own safety and peace of mind.