Juddering

[concho]

My Dad just bought (privately) a 2003 is200 automatic about 2 weeks ago. 51000 miles on the clock and had a brand new MOT before he bought it and new discs and pads. He has noticed that a couple of times when on the motorway, possibly after a bit of braking his steering wheel starts to judder like mad and he has had to grip it hard to stop it from going everywhere, then after about 10 seconds of doing that it is ok again, its only done it about 4 times. Is this the brake calipers everyone keeps talking about on here? sounds expensive to get fixed. Feel a bit bad because I was the one who told him to get a Lexus as they are bullet proof! now this happens straight away!

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

Sounds like binding calliper. You can recondition them at a fraction of the cost of new ones.

New callipers are £350 each fitted from Lexus or £200 part only. A lot cheaper if you go to an independent. About £170-200 fitted per calliper. Or get a reconditioned calliper from eBay.

Always best to change/recondition callipers in pairs.

I've had both front sieze on mine so had quite a bit of experience with this issue. I reconditioned 1 of them at first but it siezed again so I just said sod it and got 2 brand new ones on the front when the other siezed. No further problems :)

Oh and the Lex is bulletproof engine wise. But like all cars it needs the brakes/suspension components replacing eventually.

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

Should've said check it is binding callipers first lol, could be warped discs or something else.

after a longish drive feel the alloys wheels with the back of your hand. The wheel with a sticking calliper will be very hot and hotter than the others. You could also jack the car up, the wheels should spin freely.

[concho]

Cant be the discs they were only fitted about 3 weeks ago with new pads as well by previous owner.

[concho]

^{Went for a cruise in it today and at around 70 mph the steering wheel goes mental and you can feel it a little through the brake pedal it carried on doing it for about 2 miles. Pulled over into sainsburys petrol station about 5 minutes later and felt that the front drivers side alloy was really hot and a slight burning smell, the others were all fine. SO I have booked it in to a local garage that we have always used and the mechanic there is going to replace both front callipers for £310 all in and it's getting an oil and filter change while its there as well for an extra £40. So £350. Sounds like a good price, what do you think? He also said that when he takes the wheel off if its not the callipers he wont change them.}

[BillNick]

I reconditioned my calipers couple of weeks ago. Kit was £35 +£5 for some specialist red grease and it took about a day including fitting new brakes and bleeding the system. That said, if you cant do car work yourself that is a pretty good price you have! Good luck hope it cures

[concho]

All done, the drivers side front calliper had ceased really badly so they were both changed, car is running beautifully now, my Dad even says it feels quieter. Cheers for all your help folks.

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

Glad it's sorted fella. Sorry didn't reply earlier only just seen it now but yes that sounds like an ok price for new callipers. Cheaper than Lexus anyway! :)