Emperoh:
Had a learning experience i do like to share here. . . . . .

Car: Lexus ES330
Year: 2005

So over a period of time, i just notice some sort of vibration on my car starting at 60km/hr.
Was quite disturbing since no amount of wheel balancing and alignment solved my problem. I think i even reported the case here.

Went to my mechanic and did a test drive with him. Closer observation showed weak front Stabiliser linkages and suspension bushings. He suggested they could be the cause. I had both parts changed and then a test drive. This somewhat reduced the vibration but did not solve the problem well enough. Still felt tingles at 70 and increased vibration at 80km upwards.

We fixed to meet following day for closer examination. We discovered a binding brake on left front wheel. One of the Caliper pistons was stuck out and the rubber linings also worn, causing a sort of hydraulic leakage. Mind you, there wasn't any hydraulic shortage too. Mechanic also attributed a type of gripping sound i heard on acceleration from a static position to the binding brake, but didn't specifically say it caused the vibration. We looked for the rubber linings but couldn't find any to re-kit the caliper. I also noticed that the brake discs i bought and changed last December were already warped Also, brake pads on the left front wheel totally worn!!

I asked them to couple the legs and let me have my car since they couldn't get the re-kit materials for the caliper. I was already making arrangements to order the part from Lagos when i decided to try out Apo mechanic village (my first time going there since i moved to Abuja). I also gave them all through Thursday to see if they can find a replacement caliper for the car or the rubber kit.

By Friday, with no response from the mechanic guys, i headed to Apo. Got there and took out the offending caliper. No matching part was found, as the most common for the 2005 Camry was single piston caliper, while mine was double piston. I insisted on what i needed. Eventually, some dude came and took the old one and left. Came back 30 minutes later, with my caliper rekitted . I got a new pair of brake pads and reinstalled on the car.

Meanwhile, i went for another round of wheel balancing before the caliper fix. So i kinda noticed an improved driving with no much vibrations. In fact i drove to the airport and back with no issues the saturday after the Friday i did an alignment. So it was hard for me to pick out that the vibrations were completely gone after the caliper service.

Fast forward 3 weeks later, and a trip to Kaduna inbetween, the vibrations paid me another visit
Just returned from an official trip and my car parked for 3 days. I made to move it out for work the next day and i heard this sound like something being let of a strong grip. I paid not much attention to it. Car drove smoothly to work on Thursday. But on Friday, omo, the vibrations came back. I couldn't do much as i left town the following day and returned on Monday morning.

Moved the car out a parked position and heard the same gripping sound again. I decided to pay less attention to it until wknd, and with the benefit of holidays, i would have time for it and to get to the bottom of this nonsense

But on Tuesday, after several rounds and all runs, the car became practically undriveable at any speed beyond 50km/hr. Could see the passenger front seats shaking. None of my two trust mechanics were available. One eventually asked me to return at 2pm since he was engaged. Well, i went to some third guy who works on a number of my colleagues car, who asked to go do an alignment. My insistence it was not an alignment issue was rebuffed. I asked him to refer me to someone and he did. I struck a deal with the alignment guy, if alignment didn't solve the wahala, I won't pay! And he set to work. When he finished, a test drive showed no difference.

I also noticed that at initial start up, when the wheel is relatively cold, the vibration goes away and return with intensity when hot. Well, i managed the car to my mechanic's workshop and somehow, met him. We fixed an appointment for this morning. He couldn't work on it yesterday as he was busy. I just queued and got fuel, sorted a number internet issues I had, used an ATM and was driving home when i just thought of ringing the second mechanic. Lo, he was back and asked me to come. I bought banana and drove to his shop, i anticipation of a long diagnosis and repair and maybe a sleep over (my car) at his workshop.

He test drove the car and was telling me about considering changing my tires but somehow, noticed that my brakes were binding. We could even perceive some brake odour at shot stops. Lo, the right front wheel was binding. When in drive, the car won't even lunge forward. On neutral on a slope, the car is static. The slight gripping sound on braking also noticed. While i noticed these sounds, it never occurred to me they were the cause of the vibrations.

We dismantled the caliper and discovered one of the pistons were stuck out. Took the caliper to Apo and serviced the caliper and reinstalled. Did a test drive and my car was sailing smoothly at 140km/hr. I will have another set of balancing and alignment later today to solve a slight tingle at 120km. Also planning on changing my rotors once more.

So ends my long story

Experience4u:
Have your gripping sound been fixed? If he's what was the last solution. I am having the same issue. Serviced my four wheel calipers cus the mechanic said it is stocked but after 5days the gripping and whistling sound reappeared. I changed my whole brake pads yet this sound.

Nettuno:
Oga Gazzuzz, please do you have any outlet in the South East? Imo, Abia or even Port Harcourt. We seriously need your services down here urgently.....especially on Lexus Rx 350.

Emperoh:


Mine has been sorted even though i still have to change the calipers to get a complete closure.
What symptoms and signs are you experiencing?

Nettuno:
Thanks Oga Gazzuzz. I will put a call across to him. Does he do your kind of Job? I mean is he thorough and able to diagonize well?. From what I read about you here, how I wish u are d one in PH. May be in future you think of opening an outlet in the south east.

Experience4u:
It makes a gripping and whistling sound when I try to accelerate from static position. I serviced my calipers yet the sound came back after some days. I don't know if my new break pad is jamming on the disc. I have really spent cash on this issue

GAZZUZZ:
Going for a drive test on the mazda 6
Wonderful vehicle to drive

GAZZUZZ:
Going for a drive test on the mazda 6

Wonderful vehicle to drive

GAZZUZZ:
Mdx 2004 Brakepad replacement and job is complete.


Always use a clamp to compress caliper pistons, that way you do not bend the bolts.

chukel:
this is exactly what i am suffering now. changed my brake pads 2 months ago as a preventive measure. afterwards i started hearing some clunking sound, grinding sound (only once in the morning when pulling out and applying brakes) then brake drag, and increased fuel consumption. then i started hearing some intermittent squeaky sound all from the same rear passenger tire. went back, we dismantled the caliper, greased the components and coupled back. symptoms lessened, then appeared with greater intensity. i came back from church on sunday, raised the car on jack and discovered tyre couldnt spin on its own (except with so much force from me). removed tyre, dismantled caliper and behold, upper caliper bolt was well bent. unfortunately couldnt get it in bayelsa. will be sourcing for it in PH tomorrow. gazzuz, is there any greater problem this might have caused to any other component?

abbeYhart:
Nice job you are doing Gazzuzz..Seems that was the toyota sienna I saw at the gate of your auto workshop yesterday morning when I came to drop my car..Well done bro

GAZZUZZ:


Uneven wear on the brakepads.

Heat might have made the o rings in the caliper and piston weak. (not too likely)

chukel:
yea, i saw the pads chopping from that upper side. the disc almost burnt my finger. thanks. that small bolt no de the whole of bayelsa o.

GAZZUZZ:


As e bend, bend am back

chukel:
. my oga, are u serious. can it be bent back without breaking.