Info Request: High Mileage 4th Gens

[RL Lemke]

To keep a disk brake caliper in good shape the brake fluid must be regularly flushed to remove absorbed moisture. In wet climates this would be annually. Look at Subaru and motorcycle manufacturer schedules and you will see annual flushing.

In addition, one should have the brake pad retaining pins replaced. Cheap insurance that the pads won't get caught on corroded pins. Cheap insurance.

When new, I had Speed Bleeders installed on each caliper.

 

[java]

To keep a disk brake caliper in good shape the brake fluid must be regularly flushed to remove absorbed moisture. In wet climates this would be annually. Look at Subaru and motorcycle manufacturer schedules and you will see annual flushing.

In addition, one should have the brake pad retaining pins replaced. Cheap insurance that the pads won't get caught on corroded pins. Cheap insurance.

When new, I had Speed Bleeders installed on each caliper.

I have speed bleeders also, love them! And yes the fluid was changed when the calipers were changed 1.5 years ago. And again when I put the new ones on.

On mine it seemed the inside of the outside (if that makes sense!) on the pistons was pretty nasty, im guessing that some moisture sneaks past the rubber boots and corrodes the outside of the piston also.

 

[Chupto]

I just bought mine with 177K on it. Love the vehicle and it runs strong. Just drove it to Virginia from Ohio over Thanksgiving and averaged 21 MPG. That's insane!

I had even reset the meter to make sure. I couldn't be happier!

 

[97hb]

Just turned 320K. This is everything I've replaced so far. Both front bearings, front driverside axle, serpentine belt tensioner, serpentine belts, all brakes, lights and the ac relay. All minor maintenance you can do yourself in your garage except maybe the bearings have to be pressed. Things on my to do list, water pump and rear wheel bearings.

 

[RL Lemke]

Also reset the maintenance light. :biggrin1:

 

[cmoore50]

Interesting front brake caliper issue some here are having. Not me as I have the Sport V8 version which has the Lexus larger front brakes, and maybe calipers. So far, I only recently replaced my 2nd set of front brake pads, and first set of rear pads. Turned the 2nd front rotor set, which didn't need replacement when I did but wanted the cryogenic rotors in front.

Normal front brakes: 16/17-inch alloys: 12.6 inch rotor. Front: 420 sq cm swept area.

17-inch Sport Edition alloys: 13.3 inch front rotors. Sport Edition (front): 450 square cm swept area.

With over 235,000 miles, I've replaced a front bearing, 2 sets of front CV boots, and one front half shaft. But then, when you go where I do, there is a lot of stuff that rubs on the bottom, including small trees and countless huge blackberry thorny bushes.

I have the trailer package with the 750 pound tongue weight hitch. No matter how deep the sand, the indicated temperature never changes. No matter how heavy the stop and go traffic and 100+ temperature either. Great car for extremes.

I've replaced multiple batteries. Now, with a Battery Bug and the big yellow top battery, I'm able to monitor remaining battery life. The big battery is great for those times I am in sub-zero winter climates.

I have replaced one brake bulb, and both front DRL bulbs and receptacles. They corroded with all the water crossings.

That's awesome that you have never had a caliper seize. I had both front calipers on my old 04 Sport (with the same calipers I believe) seize. I think that people have speculated that vehicles in harsher winter climates may impact them.

 

[28.]

Mine is a hair away from 200K and brakes, timing belt, battery, shocks, and usual regular maintenance stuff.. Do regular oil and filter changes.. Oh and I blew the tranfer case but it was on my part.. Also replaced front bearings..

Oh and also have a scooby.. My wife loves it.. very good little car. Only thing I don't like is that it's kinda loud and oil changes are a drag lol..