There's a very loud screeching noise whenever I softly press on my brakes. If I brake hard, there is no noise. It sounds similiar to when a truck slows down to a stop and is veryyy annoying, especially in slow moving traffic.

The rear pads are fairly new (not sure of the brand) and the front pads are less than a month old (I think they're called "metalizers", from autozone)

Any ideas as to what might be causing this noise?

PS: If the car has been sitting for a while, the first couple of stops there is no noise untill the pads and rotors heat up.

 

Your rotors may need to be turned. This happened to me when I first got my max.

 

If your brake hardware is not holding the pads securely, they squeal. You can buy a new shim kit from Nissan and replace all the hardware. That should quiet them down. If one or more of the pads still sits loosely on the mount, you can shim it slightly.

 

thankx for the info....but what do u mean by turning the rotors?....(sorry im new)

 

Turning the rotors is when a machine shop uses a lathe to remove a small amount of surface material. This accomplishes 2 things:

1. Removes any surface imperfections due to uneven wear.

2. "trues" them- makes them perfectly round and flat.

I'm guessing, though, that the main cause of the squealing is due to a loose pad. Where did you get the brakes done in the first place? They may have fouled up a shim, or short-changed you on the anti-squeal compound.

Good luck!

 

I just bought the car and the previous owner changed them (i dont know where) ...where excatly do you put the compound?

Thankx for you help!!!

 

it goes between the shim and the pad backing, and also between the caliper and the shim. The compound is simply a very viscous grease. Tear it apart and take a look. If it is dry, smear a little on.

Keep us posted!

 

He means to get them resurfaced...

 

could it be the wear tab on the pads making noise telling him to change them? just an idea

 

He said they were just replaced.

 

There might be some TSB's at AllData.com. I know there are a few braking ones for my 95.

My brakes make crazy noise and people always look at me whenever I hit the brakes. Going to get the shim kit for front and back when I get money for new pads and rotors.

 

oh well...i missed that

 

But his symptoms sound like my symptoms. My wear indicator was making noises only when I brake lightly. When I brake hard, no noise.
I changed my front pads today. Sure enuf, warning tab was rubbing only when brakes are applied. When braking heavily, the warning thing bends in such a way that it doesn't produce audible sounds.
Jae

 

so maybe i am right? lol

 

I finally solved the problem of the screeching. I was the pads. I changed them to a carbon metallic type pad and now there is no squeking. There is a slight sound under heavy braking but that's music to my ears compared to before.

thankx to all that replied