I took my car in this morning to have the wind noise TSB done and there was a squealing sound coming from under the hood. I drop it off at 9:00 AM and I call to check on it at 3:00 and they are just road testing it--they close at 5:00. They call back at 3:30 and say that the drive belts are bad and that they are not covered under warranty. (I have 29k on the car.) The belts are $150. Is this normal? This is my first Nissan and the guy said they go out around 30k miles. Also, he said they couldn't do the TSB for wind noise because they had to order the parts. I thought it was just foam and masking tape. WTF. I just don't trust the service dept's. It sounds to me like they didn't have enough time and didn't want to do it. Can you help me out? Thanks.

 

150 for belts sounds a bit high.. maybe the quote includes
labor.. Still sounds too high though.


check this out:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/A33_belts.html

 

the belts are <$25.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/A33_belts.html

Is the rest labor? I would pay for over an hour of time ($60-75). So, I wouldnt let them do it for more than $100.

The belts are good to 60K, but other factors can cause them squeak or wear. if you dont see any cracks or visible wear, then it's probably just the humidity making them squeak.. If you see lots of visible wear at <30K, then you might have a problem with the idler pully. I wouldnt say belt replacement is *that* common.

<edit>chach, beat me to it <edit>

 

When I had my wind noise done the dealer had to order the part too. Basically, they replace the seal for the back window.

As far as your belt goes, I'm sure the 150$ includes the labor. I have seen some other posts here regarding the costs for the replacement.

 

why are mechanics paid so much for labor when compared to others?

 

Well, it's not all mechanics - the dealership is the single most expensive place to get auto work done.

To the original poster, find another dealership. They are completely jerking you around. As an independent business, they don't have to do warranty work. Sure they'll fix you're car, but obviously they feel they can get more from you than Nissan.

Actually, if you don't have another Nissan dealer within a reasonable drive, go to a good independent mechanic (talk to friends and family for recommendations), and get an opinion whether you car actually need the belt replaced. At 30k, like the other posters said, it is either BS or something else is wrong. If the mechanic tells you it just needs tightening, call Nissan and file a complaint about the dealer for trying to do bogus work.

Nissan isn't going to realize they have a problem with that dealership unless we squawk!

 

Thanks for all of the input guys. I tell ya, ever since I bought my Max I have found so much information on the org. I check the site daily and have learned so much. I picked up my car and the service guy said he adjusted the belts, but if the noise starts again I need them replaced. I didn't hear the noise on the way home. Also one more question. I had the brake judder TSB done and my brakes are squealing like all hell. They re-surfaced the rotors and put new pads on. I complained when I brought it in today and they told me that they would put some lubricant on them. Well, on the way out of the lot the first time I touch the brakes----SQUEAL! What can I do about this? Ceramic pads? Thanks again guys.

 

Lubricant?? That makes no sense.

How many miles ago did you have the pads replaced and rotors turned?

 

I had the brakes done about 2000 miles ago.

 

the lubricant is for the shims. and yes, if they didnt use any, it will squeal. See the writeup in the sticky faq about changing the pads, you'll get an idea of how/where the grease goes.

 

If you can tolerate some brake dust - go with R4S, I got rid of stocks 30k ago and have no problems with rotors since. People here also use Raybestos ceramic quiet stop but I personally have no experience wih them. There's nothing you can lubricate to prevent brake squeal, pure BS. It is more related to the pads you're using.

 

They did use the lubricant but it squealed the minute I drove off the lot. I mean, damn brakes should not squeal. Especially with new pads! Has anyone had the wind noise TSB done? Did it make a difference? It is not so bad at 40mph, but my god at 60+ it is awful in the back seat.

 

They do sell anti squeel stuff that goes between the shims and the break pads.. not on the friction side though. I used it when I replaced my break pada and didn't have any noise at all when breaking. I don't know if that was because of the AEM pads or the anti-aqueal stuff though.

 

I used that stuff on my rear "Vagner" pads without much success, they still squeal like crazy . This spring I'll probably get rid of them for that reason.