Parking Brake

[ruds]

I have an Rx300 se-l. I have been told that the rear offside parking brake cables need replacing. How much should this cost and is it a specialist Lexus job, or would my independent be able to carry out.

Alternatively any specialists that can offer any advice on costs

Thanks

[ihpj]

This is something that crops up quite regularly, usually on vehicles that are 5YRS/60K miles. Usually one will need doing, so best to get both done. And AFAIK the cables are a Lexus only part. And it can cost couple of hundred quid to sort out (each side). Our RX was under Lexus Warranty so it paid for itself.

If you search the forum for my posts, you will get a more detailed breakdown when ours had the work done :)

[AMAD]

Parking brake sticking on over Christmas. Now working ok, but just been quoted £650 by Lexus Stockport for this job and replacement of rear disc pads. Took rear wheels off today and pads are like new. Cables look fine!! Going to get 2nd opinion about this before paying out for the job. Has anyone else met this issue?

[stringbender]

Parking brake sticking on over Christmas. Now working ok, but just been quoted £650 by Lexus Stockport for this job and replacement of rear disc pads. Took rear wheels off today and pads are like new. Cables look fine!! Going to get 2nd opinion about this before paying out for the job. Has anyone else met this issue?

My 05 SEL has this problem as does a friend's 04 model. The cables are beautifully made and highly protected but fail in just one area - they don't work! The cables enter the back plate at a downward angle and salt and water seem to be able to channel through into the inner cable that does the actual work. Have you tried squirting some lubricant (carefully!!) into the gap at the very end of the cable as it enters the union that is bolted to the back plate? I've used PTFE spray with immediate results. If I have to have my cables replaced then the first job I'll do will be to seal that gap and tape it up so that no more water can get in. If you're competant enough to remove the caliper and back off the shoes and get the drum/disc off then you'll be able to lubricate the cable from the inside. Copper grease or spray would be well worth a try here.

Alan

[AMAD]

Parking brake sticking on over Christmas. Now working ok, but just been quoted £650 by Lexus Stockport for this job and replacement of rear disc pads. Took rear wheels off today and pads are like new. Cables look fine!! Going to get 2nd opinion about this before paying out for the job. Has anyone else met this issue?

My 05 SEL has this problem as does a friend's 04 model. The cables are beautifully made and highly protected but fail in just one area - they don't work! The cables enter the back plate at a downward angle and salt and water seem to be able to channel through into the inner cable that does the actual work. Have you tried squirting some lubricant (carefully!!) into the gap at the very end of the cable as it enters the union that is bolted to the back plate? I've used PTFE spray with immediate results. If I have to have my cables replaced then the first job I'll do will be to seal that gap and tape it up so that no more water can get in. If you're competant enough to remove the caliper and back off the shoes and get the drum/disc off then you'll be able to lubricate the cable from the inside. Copper grease or spray would be well worth a try here.

Alan

Thanks for the advice Alan, re-the lubrication of the cables. I will have a go doing as you suggest and will let you know the result. Will have to wait for a dry weekend as I dont have a garage that will fit the RX. Andrew