Dropped off the Maxima at the dealer today for a laundry list of items again (spurred on by the Service Engine Soon Light).

Anyway, pretty sure from reading here about similar symptoms that my rotors are warped--vibration when braking, esp. from high speeds. Started to occaisionally hear a squeak.

So service advisor called, and they said that if just the rotors are bad, its no charge, but if the pads are below 40% then I have to pay for the pads AND machining the rotors, which is something like 250 bucks. My vehicle has 29,200 miles on it.

Since I'm having the 30k service done there (minus the oil and filter which I'll do myself), this would put my final bill at 500 bucks or so.

Couldn't I argue that the pads are worn prematurely due to the warped rotors? Or is 29.2k miles the life of these pads???

Thanks.

 

do u have a 2000? if u do, u r in luck and print out the TSB from the TSB sticky. that's what I did and I didnt pay anything for the rotor repair and pad replacement.

the rotor TSB is good for 36k/3year.

 

I had about 10% left on mine last month... car was right at 36K.. they did rotors and pads for free...

 

Its a 2001. I thought I read in the TSB post up above, that 2001 models are covered as well.

I'm going to try and argue into not paying a thing, but I didn't know if my argument was weak due to the mileage on the cars.

I don't know the life expectancy of brake pads anymore. When I was in college, the pads on my Geo storm lasted to 60K, and then to 120K.

Yes, I pour on the miles.

 

Thanks Tim--did you have to fight for it, or did they just do it?

I was hoping that by over-paying a bit for their 30K service, that they would cut me some slack.

 

Do you really need the service? I mean, most of what they do, you more than likely have maintained yourself and alot of what you are paying for is simply someone looking around and no real diagnostics/maintenance performed.

 

I'm being kind of lazy on the service...that, and as a novice to mechanical things (have always just paid, except for oil changes), I'm not sure if I could "tighten the belts" or "adjust idle speed"

Sure, I could rotate the tires, and change the transmission fluids myself, and the mysterious battery recharge sounds fishy, but I guess I'm being lazy on that one.

Its the brake pads subject that bothers me. If the warped rotors are such a well known issue, why would I have to pay, esp. when the car is still under warranty?

VW treated me much better when they replaced my wife's pads at no charge--of course, it was at 24K miles.....

 

the life span for ur brake pads is really depended on the way u drive. I have 75% left for the rear brake pads when I was at 32000.

I would argue with them and bring up the TSB. They would most likely say that the pads are wear and tear items, etc etc etc. If they are doing this per TSB....they have to give u the pads for free because it comes with a the package. When I get my warped rotor fixed.....they said that they have to use a new pad because the older batch of pads generates a lot of heat, which warped the rotors.

 

I'm getting the "shimmys" from my brakes, but I have an 03. Does anyone else have this?

 

I am taking my '02 in for this tomorrow and I am wondering if the TSB would apply. If so, I would be since it will save me $200 for the front brakes alone.

 

the TSB tells them to replace the pads. Its part of the work/procedure. Technically, they cant turn the claim in unless they put on new pads. So, no.. I didnt have to fight them on that.

 

Well, mixed feelings, here. Just got a call from my tech service guy?

He said the brake pads still had "plenty of life on them", so he machined the rotors at no charge. My understanding is he left the original pads on them.


Uh, thanks? Serioiusly, though, thanks for the replies. Now, I can probably replace pads myself...should I do so?

 

If they want to charge you, let me know. They are a real simple job to do. Should be done in less than an hour. Try and see if you can find pads from somewhere like Autozone. A lot of places will turn rotors around here for ~20.

 

Honestly, I have come to the conclusion that its the pads that are causing most of the warping problems. I have had my car in for the TSB 2 times and the brakes were fine for a while (~9000 miles). After taking it in twice, I figured I would try a different pad. I bought PF Carbon Metallics and have had no problems with them. I have had these pads on for ~15,000 miles and that includes road racing once. There is no signs of pulsation in the pedal.

 

Is PF the name of the company? Are these at Autozone or anything?

 

Performance Friction

 

Is there any TSB for the 2k2 rotors? Cause mine suck and are warped!