I've got a 1996 Maxima GLE with 128,000 miles.

My brakes have a consistent shimmy/shiver just before coming to a complete stop, and when releasing them from a stop, they grab just a little bit.
I was told that I should replace the pads and rotors.

I replaced all four discs and pads with ceramic pads and drilled/slotted rotors and grease all the guide pins. Everything looked fine, so I was worried nothing would get better. Needless to say, it is acting exactly the same.

What could be the issue here? The lines and calipers looked good, and the fluid is good. The car stops fine, but the shaking is annoying. Help!

 

Check for lose suspension components, ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings etc.

 

I had a similar problem. Did you have any trouble pushing the pistons back in when you went to install the new pads? I couldn't get the drivers side to budge. I cracked the bleeder screw and it goes right in. Sign of a severely restricted brake hose. I replaced both hoses. Better/smoother braking, no more warped rotors/hot brakes and better economy to boot! I also cleaned and lubed the caliper guide pins/slides and made sure the calipers move freely side to side also.

 

I always greese my guide pins. The calapers were smooth back and forth. I didn't have trouble compressing the pistons up front, but the back passenger side took a lot of effort.

 

I'd agree with this. Jack 'er up and check 'er out!

 

Did you screw the rear pistons back into the calipers like you're supposed to, or did you force them straight in like the fronts?

 

Shake down the front end, make sure there is no play on anything. Also I have seen rust/corrosion build up on the hub face preventing the rotors from sitting flush on the hub. Happens a lot here in utah with our love of salt on roads...subarus seam to be the worst

 

yeah the rear ones are Screw type. You're supposed to use a box adapter that hooks onto you Extension on your ratchet. They are like $5 bucks at any auto store in the junk Universal tool section.

Also it seems to me that either your shims are bad causing the issue. You didn't put the springs on. Those springs are just for smaller vibrations or you may have a bad wheel bearing or hub that is causing this. Does it do it when you're turning? Try braking hard when turning next time. Go relatively fast too.

 

$5 - you must be an old-timer like me. My son just had to buy one of those box adapters and it cost him $13!!!