Front Disc Replacement in RX400H

[Shivakumar Viswadoss]

Hello there

Last time, when I took my RX400H for an intermediate service, I was told to replace O/S front disc after a couple of thousand more miles, as it was heavily scored. How serious is this issue? Lexus Reading gave a quote of £325  (parts supplied & fitted + VAT) for replacing front discs (near side + offside) & brake pads. I still feel it's expensive. Can anyone suggest any known Lexus specialists within 20-30 mile radius?

Best regards

Shiva

[Richard Fixter]

I've just done my discs and pads on the front of my RX300 £66 for blueprint discs and £27 for brembo pads so £93 for the parts about an hour in Labour. If you are only talking discs and pads any garage can do them just take it to one you know is good or gets good recommendations from friends.

[iwonder]

Genuine brakes are about £140 and aftermarket £100. Labour will be dependant on hourly rate so expect to pay approx £160-200 at a garage.

[Barry14UK]

Replacing discs due to scoring is a bit subjective.  If they are not badly affected, are not worn below specified limits and retard well without pulling car to one side, replacement may not yet be essential. Garages providing MOT's check how well the brakes work on either side.  Another case where discs may need to be replaced is where a pronounced lip has been formed by the pads undercutting just below the periphery of the discs.  I had discs on a BMW resurfaced whilst on the car and still be within spec.  You need a garage who can offer 'Skimy disc' to do that and the cost was a lot less than replacement.   Both discs and pads should always be replaced as a pair. 

[OldTrout]

Shiva,

I don't know if Kidlington just north of Oxford is within you radius but SummerTown Garage are excellent. https://www.summertowngarage.co.uk

John

[Shivakumar Viswadoss]

Thanks Richard, Andrew, Barry and John. I did find OEM a new pair of front discs & pads for £132 from lexuspartsdirect. Not sure if these are the best or should I look out for the ones from Blue Print / Brembo? Any suggestion is much appreciated.

[ColinBarber]

11 minutes ago, Shivakumar Viswadoss said:

Thanks Richard, Andrew, Barry and John. I did find OEM a new pair of front discs & pads for £132 from lexuspartsdirect. Not sure if these are the best or should I look out for the ones from Blue Print / Brembo? Any suggestion is much appreciated.

Nothing wrong with the genuine parts.

If you want something cheaper then Blue Print are normally fine, they sometimes use the same OEM as Toyota. brembo is a bit misleading, most people associated them with high quality, high performance parts but they make some standard, cheap parts too - so whilst they will be ok, they won't be any better.

[Barry14UK]

For normal use I think you are very unlikely to better OEM discs and pads.  Drivers who 'track' their cars can benefit from alternative discs/pads and other changes to the braking system but the RX is not the sort of car you would 'track'.

[iwonder]

Genuine is tried and tested so nothing wrong with them. Its the calipers that need the most attention when doing discs and pads otherwise it won't be long till you need another set of brakes.

[Shivakumar Viswadoss]

Thanks everyone. I’m taking my Lexus for MoT (got a deal for £40 from the main dealer).  I’m planning to get the discs replaced post MoT or should it be the other way?

[Barry14UK]

iI the car brakes well and the pads are still serviceable you could see what the MOT shows and if OK defer for a time.  Garages usually give you a few days (7?) to do a free retest if required.  If you don't want to risk having to go back for a retest or pads are worn you might as well get these replaced before MOT. In case of the latter, you should put some miles on to bed in with light initial braking followed by some moderately hard breaking.  The thing to avoid is to hold the pads on after hard application at any time.  This can allow the friction material to be partially transferred to the disc and back again.  This can lead to judder and drivers thinking the new discs are warped.  This is put simply but there is a detailed  explanation of changes this can cause even in the metallic structure of the disc if anybody wants to read up on this. If new discs and pads are fitted by the garage doing the MOT they should take into account that they are new.