I don't think my front calipers are OEM as they have/had a V shaped spring that acts to keep the pads apart while brakes are disengaged. I am now missing one and Nissan hasn't a clue as to a replacement spring. Does anyone know how or where to find this part or replace it? ( I think a bird flew away with mine while I was changing the rotor )

 

That spring was installed on the OE pads when the car was new. It's not part of the caliper assembly, it was part of the brake pads or hardware package.

 

Are you saying it's part of the dealer's shim kit?

 

i totally forgot about that spring but remember it now that you mention it. i haven't used it on any of the 3 maximas i've had since my original was wrecked in 2004. it's not needed.

 

all it did was ensure that the pads were not in contact with the rotor at all. I've done about three sets of pads on mine and my sisters Max. Unless they have the holes on the edge of the pad it is not necessary to reinstall. The shims are usually enough to keep the pad in place when not engaged.

 

I know they are not mandatory, but i am getting a little waffle sound at very low speeds suggesting the pads are contacting the rotor. No indication they are warped, im thinking the spring could do the trick just don't know where to find it as the dealer just goes 'duh'.

 

Lets try this again...

That "spring" was part of the Factory Installed pads.
It is not sold with replacement pads.
It is not part of the hardware kit.
It does not go on the caliper.

 

It does not go on the caliper.[/QUOTE]

It straddles the rotor and notches into the pads under the caliper. I lost one, this is no replacement, I get that. I am having trouble resolving the slow speed wear sound and have pushed back the splashguards, ruling them out.

 

Those springs are in the brake hardware kit. Go to your local auto parts store and get them.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1266&ppt=C0064

or

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1266&ppt=C0064

 

BINGO, a picture and everything. They wont ship to Canada it appears, but I can nail it somehow. Thanks.

 

That was just to show you that you can get them at most local auto parts stores. Go check your local stores out.

 

In all the brake jobs I've done, I've never seen those wires in a hardware kit.
I've also never seen a set of pads with the holes present.

OP - I highly doubt that will solve your noise issue. The pads are supposed to float lightly on the rotors. You might want to check the pads for uneven ware or possibly a glazed over spot. Pull the brakes apart, put anti-seize on the hardware and back of the pads so they can move freely

 

^^^ I'm surprised that you haven't seen those springs in hardware kits. Autozone has those kits also, but at a higher price.

Interesting note about those springs. The brakes on my 2000 squeal when cold and one day I noticed that there were no springs. So a year ago or so I finally went to buy them. The hardware kits for the 2000 did not have them and the guy at the parts store told me that springs were not used on my 2000. So I bought a 4th gen kit.

To make a long story short, the springs didn't help. Just like you said they wouldn't.

 

low speed grinding noise? wouldn't that point more towards a warped rotor, very very low pad "meat" left, or a failing caliper that is not disengaging properly?