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Update on steering wheel shudder

Old Mar 28, 2003 | 12:10 PM
  #1  
psychlone's Avatar
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Update on steering wheel shudder

For those who were following the steering wheel shudder post, I took my car into the dealer today and this is what they told me.

It was the rotors, everyone was right about that. They are going to cut them now and order me some new ones which should be in next week some time.
They are going to be covered under warranty but the excuse as to how this happened seems pretty bogus to me.

The salesmen who sold me the car called me after talking to the service department (that in itself seems a bit odd to me) and asked me if I had washed the car recently. I said that I had several times since I bought it in the middle of March, at one of those do it yourself car washes. He's claiming that the rotors got warped from me not letting the brakes cool off enough before spraying the wheels. Now I'm sorry, but I have never heard something so ridiculous in my life. I have had numerous cars over the years and have never had a problem like this. I asked him why this doesn't happen with rain water and he said that's because the rain water is more evenly distributed over the wheels and brakes and is not sprayed directly on the rotor. I think frankly that the Nissan rotors just suck and the fact that they would insult my intelligence with a BS story like that will make me think long and hard about going back to this dealer.

Does anyone think that there is any shred of truth to what the dealer is saying? Keep in mind this is the same guy that told me that the HLSD and Traction control are more effective in automatic cars. I guess he missed the memo about the HLSD not being available in automatics.

2003 SE 6 speed
280 miles
Crap rotors
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 12:20 PM
  #2  
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He's partially right....

but it has more to do with the muffler bearing, flux capacitor, and johnson rod

All kidding aside, I can't beleive that someone is so stupid to think that anyone would fall for that. I only hope that he is trying to pull one over on you and doesn't really beleive what he is saying.

My rotors were warped as well and the only explanaition is that the Nissan rotors suck ***** - I babied them for the first 1000 miles and found the problem at 1001! They cut mine and sent me on my way - be happy that they are ordering you a new set.

Although, many people feel that the pads should also be replaced. They say that the rotors will just warp again with used pads. Congrats on getting rotors!
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 12:34 PM
  #3  
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Aftermarket rotors are the only definitive correction to the problem. Period.
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 03:28 PM
  #4  
max...to the ma's Avatar
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until they warp

Originally posted by vizslak7
Aftermarket rotors are the only definitive correction to the problem. Period.
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 04:53 PM
  #5  
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From: Orange County, CA
Re: Update on steering wheel shudder

Originally posted by psychlone
For those who were following the steering wheel shudder post, I took my car into the dealer today and this is what they told me.

It was the rotors, everyone was right about that. They are going to cut them now and order me some new ones which should be in next week some time.
They are going to be covered under warranty but the excuse as to how this happened seems pretty bogus to me.

The salesmen who sold me the car called me after talking to the service department (that in itself seems a bit odd to me) and asked me if I had washed the car recently. I said that I had several times since I bought it in the middle of March, at one of those do it yourself car washes. He's claiming that the rotors got warped from me not letting the brakes cool off enough before spraying the wheels. Now I'm sorry, but I have never heard something so ridiculous in my life. I have had numerous cars over the years and have never had a problem like this. I asked him why this doesn't happen with rain water and he said that's because the rain water is more evenly distributed over the wheels and brakes and is not sprayed directly on the rotor. I think frankly that the Nissan rotors just suck and the fact that they would insult my intelligence with a BS story like that will make me think long and hard about going back to this dealer.

Does anyone think that there is any shred of truth to what the dealer is saying? Keep in mind this is the same guy that told me that the HLSD and Traction control are more effective in automatic cars. I guess he missed the memo about the HLSD not being available in automatics.

2003 SE 6 speed
280 miles
Crap rotors
What a load of crap . I personally like another one where they advise you not to use brakes too hard, which sounds more like not to use them at all. Statistically it seems that everyone who left their stock rotors alone and went with aftermarket pads are not having this problem anymore. On the other hand there're many people here (me included) who just resurfaced stock rotors leaving pads in place and experienced the same problem 5-7k down the road. So, it is more like stock pads, not rotors.
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 07:26 PM
  #6  
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That could be the case. If you go through a big puddle with hot brakes you could warp 'em.

He's just throwing $hit up on the wall and seeing what sticks though.

Aren't you the I mentioned this prolly happened because the rotors may have rusted bad if it sat on the lot a long time?

Personally, I think that's what happened if these warped <1000 miles on 'em.

Bottom line, there are a bunch of different reasons why the rotors could have gotten lumpy on ya. Trying to figure out why is absolutely pointless, warping happens often to a lot of different cars. That's why brake lathes are made.

The salesman does have somewhat of a point though. If your rotors are very hot, and you hit them with water, whether from a hose or driving through a HUGE puddle (the puddle would have to be big to get the rotors wet enough), you risk warping them. It's the nature of any hot metal that cools too fast.
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 08:06 PM
  #7  
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My SE started doing it priior to 2500 miles (only above 70 MPH). I finally got sick of it and changed rotors at 15,000 miles and have had no problems since (I currently have 35,00 miles). My Wife's car does it too but , since it rarely has brakes applied above 70 MPH, it is not a major distraction. The OEM rotors on thes cars are not good (this may be individual lots, which would allow for some not having problems); in general, they suck.
Old Mar 31, 2003 | 04:33 PM
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From: Orange County, CA
Originally posted by vizslak7
My SE started doing it priior to 2500 miles (only above 70 MPH). I finally got sick of it and changed rotors at 15,000 miles and have had no problems since (I currently have 35,00 miles). My Wife's car does it too but , since it rarely has brakes applied above 70 MPH, it is not a major distraction. The OEM rotors on thes cars are not good (this may be individual lots, which would allow for some not having problems); in general, they suck.
Out of curiosity: did you replaced pads too? If yes - what type?
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