Well, hello guys and gals. I am wanting to seek help and advice regarding my brakes. I have a 97 maxima about 65k. I of course have read the stickies and have printed them out to help me. I have a lot of questions, the little detailed ones. Well straight to the point. I want to replace my pads in the fronts because of a squeel/squeek I hear. But also during summer time, I have more time to do it. I don't think this is the idicator that I am low on pads, but maybe something else? I took some pics, do you think I should change it or hold it off and take it slowly?


A pic of my rotor (passenger side).


Regarding the grease. I seen a MOBIL 1 SYNTHETIC grease, but NO WHERE on it does it say anything regarding using it for brakes. Is it okay? It's the container in blue. Seriously anybody bought it? I, however have seen the valvoline multi-purpose and it says okay for brakes and all that. ON a side note, greasing the capliper pins seem the hardest thing for me, as Im unsure as to how much i should put.


Thanks, I'll stop here before I flood this 1st post with a bunch.

 

ur pads look good enuff. if u wanna be on the safe side and clear ur conscience...go ahead and change em. get new pads and resurface the rotors. thats if u want to....but according to ur pic above...seems like u have enuff pad left.

 

Thanks.

Any ideas on the mobil 1 syn grease? HOw about torque specs for the bolts? Does the rotor necessarily need to be resurfaced?

My driver side is a different look, I'll try get a pic, it seems like the grease messed it up or something.

Thanks, any idea is much appreciated.

 

It looks like that rotor is grooved, if so most likely the pads are the same way
I can't see cutting the rotors and not replacing the brakes since you have to remove the pads anyway. You should pick up a Haynes manual for $20. for the specs.

 

Just replace the rotors and pads. Go to autozone.

 

goto the carwash and wash the dust out. works for me everytime.

 

The pads have plenty of material left on them it looks to be about half of new.

The rotors do look like they are glazed over, but thats not really going to cause any real problems unless you plan to spend the day at an open track session.

You can go ahead and replace the brakes and you ALWAYS resurface or replace the rotors when you put new pads on.

 

i see.. thanks..

how bought the grease? still unsure.. i dont want a simple thing to fail me. im not sure if the MOBIL 1 syn grease is HIGH TEMP, so i dont know. any pointers?

i guess i'll get new rotors when i do my pads. or resurface and do pads to save costs.

thanks..

 

you just need enough to cover the whole pin, anything more will just ooze out and could get on your rotor/pad and cause problems. Less is more

 

i see.. hmm... i guess another question regarding the grease is, what brand?? what syn is best? i do have to apply some behind the shims too?

how can u tell if the pins are okay? like as long they are in/out and don't scratch pads during driving/brake?

thanks.. sorry for the many questions.
i guess i gotta pick up one haynes

 

1. Pick up the Haynes
2. Caliper pin grease is different from anti-squeal compound.
3. If you go to any auto store, they will sell high-temp grease especially meant for use on caliper pins.
4. Auto stores will also sell anti-squeal compound, for use on the backs of the pads, shims and on the pad retaining clips.
5. The caliper should be able to slide freely in/out once the pins are torqued down - if the caliper doesn't move freely then the pins need to be removed and cleaned out and regreased (if you have already done this and the caliper still doesn't move freely, it means you put too much grease).

 

Or just pick up a can of Brake Cleaner and spray it on. Let all the dirt and dust run onto some newspaper on the ground and let the alcohol evaporate in a few minutes.

http://www.crc.co.nz/item_prod.asp?pid=106

Njmodi is right about the caliper grease. Keep those pins greased...I had a pin freeze up and it caused some headaches.

Good luck! Brakes are very easy to do on our cars, let us know if you need more help.

 

Hey thanks..

They seem easy enough, however just the details I am unsure about. I checked out checker's and noticed they have little packets that are hi-temp for brakes. Someone told me the anti-squeel are a waste of money and that it goes away over time and doesn't work.

I'm still deciding if I should just resurface my rotors and get pads or new rotors new pads. I think resurfacing would save me money. Mines only squeek a bit from time to time but i guess its okay compared to the really heavy or loud scrape/squeeks.

Any recommendations on caliper pin greases?? brands?
Also with the rotors, about how much u pay to get it resurfaced?

I'll also look into getting a haynes manual.\

Thanks.

 

I always use antisqueal and have never had a problem, it's easier to put on and never have a squeak than to have to take the brakes off again if they do squeak.
You need to have the store measure your rotors to see if they have enough material remaining to be cut.
Your making to big a deal about the grease, any name brand will be ok.
It's a brake job not rocket science.
When I bought pads and rotors from Auto Zone they gave me free grease.

good luck

 

thanks much. do u guys think i should just get 2 new front rotors? i mean the car is 66k already. and i got some metal masters going w/ them.

thanks again.

 

Unless you plan to do some autocross or open track days you will be fine with just turning the rotors and you will save about $60 a side depending on how much rotors are.