No Braking Assistance Seems Hard When Pressing Brakes?

[Paul BT]

hi i have a 2005 lexus IS250 72k, and only had it a few months, the brakes seem so hard to use, i have to put lot of pressure on pedal, in comparison to my range rover and ford focus.

is this normal for is250 or is it just mine?

thanks for help

[SRC-IS]

I felt the same, and still do when swapping from my VW. In fact, I prefer it since it makes it easier to modulate the braking force applied. I think most modern cars are over-assisted.

[is200 Newbie]

If you don't think they are right then get them checked out - the calipers or the pistons may be starting to sieze (or have seized)

The brakes on mine (2007 is250) operate good with no excessive force and I clean the pins and check the calipers over every 6 months.

[Mouser]

I felt the same, and still do when swapping from my VW. In fact, I prefer it since it makes it easier to modulate the braking force applied. I think most modern cars are over-assisted.

Same, jumping in from an A3 S line I felt there might be an issue, but it's just a different approach. It does feel slightly under braked to me, but not enough to be troublesome.

[Jules PF]

The brakes on my car were similar, extremely poor wooden feeling I had just bought the car fairly cheap so set about fixing it.

The main problem is the calipers, or namely the slide pins they corrode and stick. You have 2 each side on the front and one each on the rear. On mine the lot were seized to some degree. One was so badly seized it snapped inside the carrier. I managed to drill tap and extract it...eventually!

New pins can be purchased here http://afcparts.co.uk/home.php.

Whilst I was at it I replaced all four discs, new pads, brake fluid and handbrake shoes! The braking is absolutely spot and handbake actually works!