The Pir@te Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I had that trouble after changing the brake pads of my Lexus LS400, sound was coming out of the pads that tears your ear and specially in traffic jams where you use the brake more.... i went to garages that told me to polish the disc brake others told me to change the pads for original because they were not sure that the pads I already installed were original, but no matter what the sound still coming out so I've decided to change the disc brake for a new one ... that's what our dealer told me... NO matter what the sound was still coming so i went for a detailed inspection manual of the brakes and i discovered a missing shim kit that supports the pads installed and maintains stability to the disc.... that one pepole throw while installing a new pads cause the new pads thiknees in more than the old ones so they throw them cause they don't know how to install them all together.. Finally the sound was bye bye bye.... I ever lived happily again..... in order to know more about installing the kit follow the link http://www.clublexus.com/index.php/fileman...81/lbr00295.pdf download it and take care.... lbr00295.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KY350 Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 (edited) Pirate - I ruined two of my shims when I was checking the pad wear just before Xmas. Rang Lexus (Aust) and they had to order from Japan 2-3 weeks delivery. The noise is annoying, but I only notice it on light brake application and goes away if I press a little more firmly on the brake pedal. BTW, I am getting just 2 plates for $18, where as the shim kit (4 plates a $5 pin and $5 grease) was $120 from Lexus - they'll take you for a ride where they can! Edited January 23, 2006 by KY350 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pir@te Posted January 24, 2006 Author Share Posted January 24, 2006 Yes, the annoying sound just comes on light braking, and disappears when you firmly brake.. The cost of the whole kit was around 50$ without the pads in my country...... i hope you'll find them and get rid of that sound... best wishes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcfish Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Yes, the annoying sound just comes on light braking, and disappears when you firmly brake.. The cost of the whole kit was around 50$ without the pads in my country...... i hope you'll find them and get rid of that sound... best wishes... I have changed out my brake pads twice since I took delivery of my GS, Both times I put in new shims. They take a beating and wear down. Some say to use them over but I disagree. I never have brake noise/clunks etc... New pads+new shims= smooth/quiet brakes. The stock rotors seem to last forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonyiez Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 the shims are not there to make up the space difference, they are there to absorb the slight vibrations that cause brake squeal. this is true on all cars, especially asian vehicles. you have no idea how many vehicles i service on a daily basis that other garages have thrown away the shims. its amazing to me how many "professionals" have no idea what these shims do. you can usually get 2 uses out of a set of shims then throw them away. i personally always use new shims on my personal vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtd111 Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 Enlightening, as much of this forum is. I have these squealing brakes, generally on light braking as described on this thread, on my SC400 for the last 8 mo or so which is when I got the brakes done at a local "Japanese Car Specialists" shop (not the Lexus dealer). I've taken it in couple of times and talked to the guy several times that something is not quite right but he swears the brakes are fine and the squealing is normal. When asked why I did not hear it before, I get some incomprehensible excuse. I wonder if he threw away the shims, as you guys have explained here, and the cause of this noise. So, a) a novice question: can anyone post a picture or explain further what this shim thingie is. B) since I don't want this guy to touch my car again, can I get this part and go the DIY route? Any pointers to online vendors? Thanx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimchim Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 a) a novice question: can anyone post a picture or explain further what this shim thingie is. This is a picture of my civic's brakes, but you can see the black pad I'm holding. On the flat side of the pad, you see black metal flush against it. This is the shim which (in this case) snaps onto the pad. Instructions said to add grease on top of the shim (and between the pad and shim) to reduce squeaking. BTW, check out my DIY changing a disc brake rotor and pads. It's for a civic, but when I change my RX330's, I'll make a DIY then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KY350 Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 Enlightening, as much of this forum is. I have these squealing brakes, generally on light braking as described on this thread, on my SC400 for the last 8 mo or so which is when I got the brakes done at a local "Japanese Car Specialists" shop (not the Lexus dealer). I've taken it in couple of times and talked to the guy several times that something is not quite right but he swears the brakes are fine and the squealing is normal. When asked why I did not hear it before, I get some incomprehensible excuse. I wonder if he threw away the shims, as you guys have explained here, and the cause of this noise. So, a) a novice question: can anyone post a picture or explain further what this shim thingie is. B) since I don't want this guy to touch my car again, can I get this part and go the DIY route? Any pointers to online vendors? Thanx. Go here: http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/brake/fbpad.html See picture 5 onwards for shim plates. Note that there are 2 plates per pad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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