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2002 ES300

Just replaced front disks and pads on my ES300. Was also going to replace rear pads. I noticed the old rear pads had uneven ware. The outer pad was much thinner than the inner pad. The replacement pads are equal thickness (as they should be). Got the new pads installed and could not swing the caliper back down. The outer pad was too far out for the caliper to swing down into place. It looks like the caliper is not sliding well on the top pivot caliper bolt. Has anyone had this problem? Is there a way to get the caliper sliding properly on that top pivot caliper bolt? I would like to avoid removing the entire caliper if possible. Temporarily I put the old rear pads back on reversing them so that the thicker one was now on the outside of the disk. Didn't even bother touching the otherside until I get this resolved.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on that P0446 code. There are 3 Cats on an ES300. The 1st one is part of the exhaust manifold on radiator side of the engine, the 2nd one is part of the exhaust manifold on firewall side of the engine. They both connect with a "Y-pipe" to the 3rd cat which is foot or so back from the "Y". The universal is only for the 3rd one. The 3rd one is not the one codes P0420 and P0430 are complaining about. How I wish it was the 3rd Cat. Total cost at a shop with the universal would be $300. I'd be saving $1000. Not so Lucky. :cries: Now I could gamble and change the O2 sensors, maybe they're misreading, but since I think it's the Cats I don't think I'm gonna take that bet. :whistles:

Here's the breakdown of what I've done and what I'm trying to fix. Got an 02, ES300 143K. CEL on. Failed Emissions test with following 3 codes; P0420, P0430, P0446. P0420 and P0430 are Bank #1 and Bank #2 Catalytic are both below standard efficency. P0446 says the EVAP Carbon Canister is malfunctioning. Got qoute from Lexus for bank 1&2 Cat replacement $1725, for Carbon canister $585. Reset codes by battery disconnect. CEL back on in 80 miles. Autozone free diag of CEL showed same 3 codes. Took it to a shop $40 for full diag. Told them I wanted to avoid catalytic replacement. They confirmed the codes. They gave quote for replace of both bank 1&2 Cats $1282. Said I could try the exhuast cleanout but were not too hopeful. They said to buy new gascap from Lexus/Toyota to clear P0446 code. They reset CEL. Went to Toyota, bought new gascap $22. CEL back on after 60 miles. Only codes P0420 & P0430 came back. Saved $563 by buying $22 gascap! :D Got Motorvac service $99.50. Ran hard on highway for 80 miles. CEL back on after 92 miles. Codes P0420 & P0430 back again. :cries: Looks like I gotta replace those Cats. Anyone got some other suggestion???

Wanted to try a Motorvac service to clean out exhuast system. Motorvac is not do it yourself. I considered doing Seafoam but have read on this and many other forums the praises of Motorvac. So I figured I'd give it a shot. BTW, I found a place in that does Motorvac. Sooner Muffler & Brakes 3117 Canton Hwy. Cumming, GA 30041 770-889-3943 Whole service ran $99.50.

Where in Northern Atlanta area can I get Motorvac service?