4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Brake Failure: HELP ASAP!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 11, 2011 | 01:56 PM
  #1  
maxxxdout's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 503
From: landofmakebelieve,nj
Brake Failure: HELP ASAP!!

So I noticed today as I'm drivin a burning smell coming from the car. When I stopped at a light I see a big cloud of smoke come from the rear riverside wheel well. As I continued to drive home I noticed having to push my brake pedal all the way to the floor to get the car to stop or I had to pump the brake pedal 2 or three times for it to stop. How can I remedy this problem until I'm able to get it fixed Saturday or is the problem too far gone to wait. Also I noticed when I got out the rotor had signs that it was rubbed on almost scraped looking... Please someone help menput with this ASAP!!

PS. I know that the caliper has seized, but is there anyway to release it off the rotor?????!
Old May 11, 2011 | 02:57 PM
  #2  
asand1's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,942
From: Reedsport, OR
It might be tha parking brake cable. Disconnect it from the offending caliper and see if it frees up.
If its the caliper itself, your up a creek. The piston will likely be siezed, imo sliders wouldnt cause such a severe drag.

Last edited by asand1; May 11, 2011 at 03:00 PM.
Old May 11, 2011 | 03:33 PM
  #3  
maxxxdout's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 503
From: landofmakebelieve,nj
Another thing was you could hear it dragging.. I mean the rotating of the wheel.. So I'm pretty sure it's the caliper. Not to mention the parking brake seems to be working fine
Old May 11, 2011 | 03:35 PM
  #4  
Kevlo911's Avatar
Kevlo for President
iTrader: (36)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 35,755
From: Lake Orion, MI
The remedy to the problem is to fix, like most problems. Brakes are something you DO NOT want to take a risk with. Go to autozone and buy a caliper, bleed the brakes. You can change the pads/rotors later.
Old May 11, 2011 | 05:34 PM
  #5  
DennisMik's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,644
From: Plano, TX
I would be very surprised if the brake pads are still good. The OP said that there were signs of scraping on the rotor. If he's lucky, MAYBE the rotor is still serviceable.
Old May 11, 2011 | 05:52 PM
  #6  
maxxxdout's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 503
From: landofmakebelieve,nj
Late breaking news.. I have no emergency brake. The brakes are working normally now and it's not making that noise anymore.. However my parking break is now nonexistent. So I have to leave it in gear to park it. Im goin to have to go to autozone. Hopefully it acts right between now and saturday because thats goin to be the only time I have to get it fixed
Old May 11, 2011 | 05:55 PM
  #7  
asand1's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,942
From: Reedsport, OR
Sounds like the brake cable was frayed in the housing causing a lockup and finally broke. I've seen clutch cables do this.
Old May 11, 2011 | 06:06 PM
  #8  
NJ3ndri's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 267
From: Parsippany NJ / Pottstown PA
caliper ceased typical max issue. youre gonna have to bleed out the fluid and pry it off/ (pry the brake pads away from the caliper) this should be easy when you have the bleeder open and letting fluid escape while your prying it.
Old May 11, 2011 | 11:28 PM
  #9  
j-dawg's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 469
Sounds like you also boiled your brake fluid. You'll want to bleed the system fully; that fluid has moisture in it and is no longer reliable.
Old May 12, 2011 | 06:46 AM
  #10  
njmaxseltd's Avatar
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,024
Originally Posted by j-dawg
Sounds like you also boiled your brake fluid. You'll want to bleed the system fully;

Best advice in this thread!

That's the reason your pedal went to the floor. You definitely have to bleed the system really good, especially the line going to the caliper that failed.
Old May 13, 2011 | 12:05 PM
  #11  
asand1's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,942
From: Reedsport, OR
New brake cable, pads, possibly 1 rotor, and flush.
Thorough ispection would be in order first, but thats my guess.
Old May 16, 2011 | 12:03 AM
  #12  
z33Driver's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5
I have some new PBR Ceramics for the front if you plan on changing both sides. Hope you get it fixed.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BPuff57
Advanced Suspension, Chassis, and Braking
33
Apr 16, 2020 05:15 AM
My Coffee
New Member Introductions
15
Jun 6, 2017 02:01 PM
leatherneck
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
1
Sep 30, 2015 09:16 PM
HerpDerp1919
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
2
Sep 29, 2015 02:02 PM
Socalstillen
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
1
Sep 26, 2015 12:01 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:09 PM.