Grinding noise when braking

[isee]

My lexus rx300 started making a griding noise when braking and to a much lesser effect (audible with windows down and sound bouncing off other cars) even when not.

Is htis most likely brake pads?
And where would you recommend I buy them from? Wanna have a go at servicing my car myself. Should I go for OEM or branded? if branded, then yellow/green/red stuff, brembo, mintex? what should I go for?

Thanks

[iva cosworth]

Yes probably brake pads worn down to metal

Are you competent enough to replace brakes when you are not competent enough

to check them before running out of friction material ?

[jimmy156]

I would say your brakes pads are fubared, and if you can hear it when you're not braking you might have a sticky caliper / warped disc.

Cant recommend any pads for you though, i tend to just go OEM.

[Krikkit]

iva cosworth said:

Yes probably brake pads worn down to metal

Are you competent enough to replace brakes when you are not competent enough

to check them before running out of friction material ?

Could easily be pad contamination causing the problem, I've had that before, no need to get on the high horse and assume the worst.

[iva cosworth]

Krikkit said:

iva cosworth said:

Yes probably brake pads worn down to metal

Are you competent enough to replace brakes when you are not competent enough

to check them before running out of friction material ?

Could easily be pad contamination, I've had that happen overnight before. No need to get on the high horse and assume the worst.

Yes discs and pads can pick up corrosion in only one night outside but that would clean

off after 1 or 2 brake applications.

I only get a bit harsh with people wanting to DIY their brakes as i don't fancy being

in front of them when the DIY fails.Would you ?

[isee]

iva cosworth said:

Yes probably brake pads worn down to metal

Are you competent enough to replace brakes when you are not competent enough

to check them before running out of friction material ?

Some serious finger wagging going on there. I am sorry if I upset you.
It's a 2005 SE-L car with a reverse camera and on board sat/nav computer etc. I didn't think I'd need to rely on other senses to sense a worn brakepad, now that I know i'll be a bit more vigilant in the future.

I wouldn't say I am incompetent. I was competent enough to replace a piston ring on my moped at the age of 11, let's just say the cushioned life has made my skillZ doormant

Edited by isee on Monday 12th March 13:46

[iva cosworth]

No worries fella ,only a friendly finger wag

[isee]

doogz said:

Hmm.. Sounds like you might want to put some new discs on there too perhaps.

If you're not familiar with doing jobs like this, might be worth getting someone to check it out for you, see what the damage is.

I've not done many miles since the problem first manifested at all, and actually checked another lexus i was pasing for the lip of the disks, the car was newer by 3 years and had a bigger lip than on mine, so I think it's alright. will order new pads and check this week. if it's worn pads then i'll replace it. if the pads look ok then will take it to the service for a more thorough inspection.

[frosted]

I would go oem only and maybe it's worth speaking to see how much Lexus want , tbh after a free car wash and free courtesy car you may be better off there

[isee]

frosted said:

I would go oem only and maybe it's worth speaking to see how much Lexus want , tbh after a free car wash and free courtesy car you may be better off there

Actually you are not worng there I should at least ask. I am just very excited to do some DIY (as I had been doing a lot this weekend on the house and got a taste for it).

[Oldandslow]

I had ginding sounds from mine. Took the caliper off, checked pads, checked disc, checked dust guard. Cleaned up the pads and caliper, regreased the bits that need greased and put it all back together. Still bloody grinding. I'd discounted wheel bearing as the noise disappeared when braking and was worst just after heavy braking.

Now it's been quiet for a couple of days. It's playing with me.

[Tino]

some dealers a doing free healthchecks, so might be worth a call

[mammamia]

You'd think that a Lexus would have brake wear warning sensors and light ?

[isee]

mammamia said:

You'd think that a Lexus would have brake wear warning sensors and light ?

That's what I thought, but then whe I bought it it just had a recent service done by lexus yet the computer was not reset to reflect this either. so I am not making any assumptions anymore and going a bit more old school with problem detection