OK,

I replaced my brakes over last week and have been relatively pleased until yesterday. I did the 300ZX conversion with OEM Ceramic (2002+) pads all the way around. I replaced the pads that came with the Z calipers as we didn't specifically know who made them and I needed specifics in order to track distances. Now, on to the issues...

1) Only first thing while driving (brakes are cold) they "squeak". Now I realize I did not use anti-squeal grease, but why do they squeak only on the first 1/2 dozen applications and then they are fine (quiet)? Is this just a case of needing to apply the grease? Being OEM I figured they would not need the grease. Right now when I first drive my car sounds like an early 80's Crown Vic in disrepair.

2) It rained yesterday, first time brakes squeaked also, and another thing that while good, I need explained. The pedal had a "softness" to it. Now it is fairly tight...its just a tad stiffer than stock. Which is VERY nice..but I need some explanation as to whether its the weather or coincidence possibly an air bubble worked its way out. I did remove ALL the fluid from the system and then refill.

3) Those with Z calipers...the only springs on the caliper is that on the reverse side on top? It does not seem in the design that there is a return spring to push the pads off the rotor face like the rear caliper has. I only popped this spring and removed the two rods, slid on new pads and redid the simple assembly...was that all that was needed?

If anybody can shed some light on anything...it would be appreciated.

 

1) they're supposed to squeak a little. good brakes do. you've got hard ceramic pads pressing against metal rotors, that's going to create a vibration and you'll hear a squeak.

if they squeak like crazy, your low-pad indicators might be bent too much and touching the rotors. but a little squeak is normal. it's some strange american idea that brakes should be silent - in japan and europe nobody stresses about this.



2) after driving around a bit, you'll want to bleed them again. after a full system flush and refill you can only get so much of the air out. running the motor and using the brakes a bit will work stuff thru, then you'll want to bleed again.

you might also need to readjust your pedal. the 300z brakes will probably have a different engagement point than the maxima ones, so you might want to change the pedal a bit, too.


3) yes, and yes.

 

1) I checked the sensors...and they look ok. I am more curious about why it "started" when they have been "quiet" for about 4 days? The OEM never made any noises at all and that is why I selected OEM pads. BUT, I am curious if the "goo" from the weather (water, grit, spray) on the rotor face will cause "additional" vibration that causes the sensors to go off?

2) I planned on doing this after about 1 week or 1.5 weeks. I have to take car on a good set of stops/starts. Driving to work only gets 6 total miles on it round trip.

Any suggestions on how to "measure" moving the pedal? Is there a formula or more or less a "judgement" call on how much to move it?

3) COOL! They looked VERY simple and I couldnt imagine really messing them up...but verification is great.

I DO appreciate the feedback. Helps monitor "normal" versus "uh oh".

I want to rebuild a Z of your generation...but my wife says "no way" . She wants an old muscle car....pfft. I'd rather redo a TT Z

 

1) Only first thing while driving (brakes are cold) they "squeak". Now I realize I did not use anti-squeal grease, but why do they squeak only on the first 1/2 dozen applications and then they are fine (quiet)? Is this just a case of needing to apply the grease? Being OEM I figured they would not need the grease. Right now when I first drive my car sounds like an early 80's Crown Vic in disrepair.


If anybody can shed some light on anything...it would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]

How's the shims/hardware? I can't belive I didn't ask about that!

 

LOL, now that you mention it ...I believe that the back was fine. It has that black colored "rubberized" shim. I reused that and it seems fine. One shim on the outside (viewable from rim) part of caliper (I.E. 1 shim per caliper). Is there any more to the back?

Does the Z calipers have a "shim"? If so...I dont have that. The backplate of the pad rests against the caliper itself...nothing inbetween.

 

Yes, the Z caliper needs shims! You definitely need to get them. Get me your fax # & I'll shoot you the diagram. I show 2 shims per pad, front & rear.

 

whats a shim? maybe i need them.... can u post a pic?

 

I shot you a PM. Dont forget to quote me a price on em.

Jon

 

What are you all talking about. I have a set of 300z calipers sitting in my garage right now. I want to make sure that these are put on right.

 

A "shim" is a piece that goes inbetween the caliper and the pad backplate. It reduces vibration induced noise. Once I get the fax from DaveB and verify parts needed...Ill post up the needed part numbers.

OR you can just call DaveB...as the man has/is been takin care of me! This kind of dedication is why ALL my OEM parts will be purchased from Dave!

 

off topic what kind for Z calipers did you get 2 piston or 4 piston and what year Z did they come off of

 

4 piston, aluminium TT calipers....like 94 vintage I believe.

 

is the shim the black rubber circle?

 

No, its actually a plate about the size of the backplate on teh pad. I got the fax from DaveB and on the Z calipers, there ARE TWO shim pieces in between the backplate of BOTH pads and the caliper.

EDIT: Spoke to Dave...26 bux or so to get the whole SHIM KIT...its a bloody KIT! A440* 0052 is the diagram number..?

As for the back shims...if you have not lost OEM stuff...you should be fine when you tear it down and reassemble...its a black "rubberized" piece.

 

DAVEB: i guess i need the whole SHIM KIT, I also need the two cross pad pin holders... it looks like a cross, and I also need, one pin spring, the one little metal pin that holds the two brake pade pins in place.

1: shim kit
2: (2)Cross piece that sits ontop
3: (1) pin spring clip

can you let me know how much that would be... thanks!!!!

 

94 TTZ came with cast iron calipers. Here is a quick info on Summitomo Calipers made for Nissan. 3000GT VR4 uses the same calipers- but it says Mitsubishi on them vs Nissan.
http://www.princeton.edu/~asad/zbrakes/

I know I got the Aluminum ones for my Maxima- getting powdercoated right now as we speak then I'm rebuilding them. The hardware kit for the caliper- includes new shims, springs and caliper pins is on back order right now. I dunno if this applies to the smaller 26mm and 30mm cast iron calipers thou, aluminum 30mm are backordered. Mine should arrive by Friday according to Nissan, checked today when I was picking up some Nismo R tune cams for a 3.5L I'm gonna be doing