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Car Forum / Lexus Cars / January 2009Parking Brake problem is resolved but now there is a NEW PROBLEM
I brought my Lexus to my highly competent Toyota dealer today for the 80k service and repair of the parking brake problem from a previous post. The gentleman who serviced the vehicle said the parking brake cable was hanging up and he lubricated it. He said everything else was fine. After a couple of miles, I started experiencing a loud noise from the rear of the vehicle. I had someone with me, and he said it sounded like a flat rear tire or the tread coming off a rear tire. But he was baffled since he said that the ride was still smooth. I shifted the transmission into neutral and revved the engine but the noise didn't increase so I ruled out an engine/drivetrain problem. We went to the Toyota dealer who took the RX on a 20 minute test drive and all was fine. But... when I drove it home today, the noise recurred and someone in an adjacent lane told me "your car is making a lot of noise!" The noise is coming from the rear axle. My gut feeling is that the brakes are the issue. They might be engaging while I'm driving which might account for what I"m experiencing. When the problem occurs, if I tap the brake pedal a couple of times, the problem goes away which I would think supports my idea that the brakes are the problem. I'm returning to Toyota tomorrow... but I'd appreciate any suggestions or comments. bubsy >I brought my Lexus to my highly competent Toyota dealer today for the > 80k service and repair of the parking brake problem from a previous [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > bubsy Noises are difficult to identify and diagnose without hearing them first hand, but the symptoms you are describing could result from a stuck caliper slide. I believe that your RX has a separate cable-actuated drum parking brake, so tapping the brakes shouldn't activate or otherwise have an effect on the parking brake. Other possible causes are bad wheel, axle, or differential bearings or a wheel that is not seated properly.  SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) Toyota wasn't able to diagnose the problem They suggested I take it to Lexus. I made an appointment for Monday so we'll see what they say. But... I'm still convinced that the problem relates to the parking brake. This past weekend, I drove the RX for 400 miles while never setting the parking brake. No noise. no problem. Today, when I got the RX from Toyota, I set the parking brake, released it, and a few blocks down the road, the noise occured. after several miles, it went away. I never set the parking brake again and the noise never returned. I think that the parking brake re-engaged while the RX is being driven, resulting in a drag on the rear axle. We'll see if the Lexus dealer confirms my belief. >>I brought my Lexus to my highly competent Toyota dealer today for the >> 80k service and repair of the parking brake problem from a previous [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >on the parking brake. Other possible causes are bad wheel, axle, or >differential bearings or a wheel that is not seated properly. The fact that the tech said the parking brake cable in the first place and your not using the parking brake later (and no noise) would reaffirm a sticking park brake problem. The parking brake lever may not be disengaging properly after you used it. (Now this may be a marginal, sticking cable or the parking brake parts (springs, shoes, lever) not properly lubed or not releasing.) If the cable is the problem, don't try to lube it again, just replace the thing. I don't know what year/model you have. But here is the parking brake cable for 1999-2003 RX, one side, about $28. You need both sides (~ $60) and labor, if there are no other wear in shoes and hard parts. I don't think the cables are shared by the Toyota Highlander, so your Toytoa dealer will have to walk over to the Lexus department. > I brought my Lexus to my highly competent Toyota dealer today for the > 80k service and repair of the parking brake problem from a previous [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > bubsy 1999-2003 RX parking brake cable, www.rockauto.com: http://info.rockauto.com/RB/Detail2noTip.html?C660156.jpg On Jan 26, 12:03 am, johngd...@hotmail.com wrote: > I don't know what year/model you have. But here is the parking brake > cable for 1999-2003 RX, one side, about $28. You need both sides (~ > $60) and labor, if there are no other wear in shoes and hard parts. I > don't think the cables are shared by the Toyota Highlander, so your > Toytoa dealer will have to walk over to the Lexus department. I took my RX to a Lexus dealer that I have had excellent experiences with in the past. I dropped off the RX and picked up a loaner (an 09 RX) . Lexus called me later in the day, unable to replicate the problem, but chose to keep the RX overnight, a good idea. Today, they drove the RX after having it overnight, and the problem never ocurred. I picked up the RX this evening, drove it home (30+ miles) and the problem didn't occur. So perhaps it fixed itself? Who knows? As for the RX 350 that was the loaner... it handled wonderfully, rode like a dream, and had several features that my RX lacks. But... the parking brake pedal is so low when it is released that it prevents me from resting my foot on the left footrest. I asked the techs at Lexus this evening if the parking brake pedal could be raised in the RX 350 and they said it can't. So, sad to say, as much as I loved my RX loaner, I couldn't imagine driving my vehicle everyday with my left foot uncomfortably wedged to the left of the brake. Sad that Lexus lost a customer (as did Toyota since the Highlander has the same brake pedal design). Looks like I'll be back to Nissan or Honda for my next vehicle. >The fact that the tech said the parking brake cable in the first place >and your not using the parking brake later (and no noise) would [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] >> >> bubsy You asked the wrong people. Go back to the sales area, ask to speak with the new car SM. Tell him you'll buy the new loaner if he'll relocate the park brake stop to accommodate you left foot habit. They'll either laugh you out of the store, or do the mod. I'm bettin' they'll do the mod. >I took my RX to a Lexus dealer that I have had excellent experiences > with in the past. I dropped off the RX and picked up a loaner (an 09 [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] >>> >>> bubsy |
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