I was browsing tirerack.com and they have the regular front rotors for $50 each. Are these rotors less prone to warpage than nissan stock rotors?

 

not really, no. It's not the rotors per se that cause warping - it's the fact that the rotors (any rotors that are OEM size) are simply too small for the car.

I think there have been mixed opinions on whether or not the Brembos are as bad or better than the OEM ones....

 

I doubt that the size is just the culprit. The 2k2/3 has larger rotors than the 2k/2k1 and yet we still get warping issues.

Even the 2k4 with even larger rotors are starting to get warping issues.

 

How soon does warping usually rear its ugly head?

 

its not really about how "large" the rotors are but how "thick" the rotors are..
the thicker the better

 

So, is it really just a toss up in price, regarding going the brembo versus new OEM rotors. I am going to get my brakes done at nissan, and was thinking that brembos would tend to warp LESS. but from reading, it seems both OEM and brembo have the same thickness and size... so am i correct to say either way would be fine? it all depends on price i guess?...

any opinions would be helpful.

I hard warping shows up sooner based on driving styles, hard braking = more heat which could cuz the warping. -- thats what the local mechanic told me.

thanks for any input.
-Anthony

 

2000-2001 rotors 10.4" car about 3250 lbs
2002-2003 rotors 10.5" car about 3300 lbs
2004+ rotors 12" almost 3500 lbs

making the rotors slightly bigger obviously doesn't help if you're gonna keep making the car heavier...

my local Nissan service manager basically said - the reason rotors keep on warping is that even though they make them bigger in diameter - they keep on making the car heavier at the same time and that the rotor diameter is not the culprit - it's the fact that the rotor thickness is TOO THIN...

my 2000 maxima with 2004 rotors is having no warping issues at all

 

but the 2004 wont fit in the 2k calipers correct? Do you have to get new calipers of just a flange to move them?

Gene

 

"warpage" can be caused by a variety of things... most of which boil down to any condition that causes overheating of the pad material such that it transfers to the rotor unevenly in thick amounts instead of a very thin layer.

That can be caused by rotors that are too small or thin, pads that aren't big enough (I think the 5th gen's issues are related to both of those) and any other issues that cause the pads to apply force in an uneven or variable manner, e.g. bent wheels/improper lugnut torque/physically warped (in the right sense of the word) rotor/improper pad/caliper installation/sticking caliper/etc.

 

http://www.mattblehm.com/relocation_kit.html

 

If i'm not mistaken, the 2k2 has 11.65" rotors while 04 rotors are an inch larger.

Also depending on trim, the weight differences between model years are not that much of a factor. Driver weight and what you haul in the vehicle can easily neutralize any weight gain from one vehicle to another.

 

It really just depends. Aside from what's already been said, driving style has a lot to do with it. My rotors have just started to warp and i'm already at 52k. The first time i had vibrations i thought it was the rotor, but apparently i had slightly bent wheels that could no longer be balanced.

 

hmm....I know my 2k rotors are 10.4" and I thought the 2k2-3 rotors were just SLIGHTLY larger.(like less than 1/4")

also, I can tell you for sure the 2004 rotors are 12". I have them, I measured them before they went on the car. but again, I don't think it's as much the diameter as it is the thickness of the rotor. the 2k-2k2 thickness is the same, the 2k4 rotors are about 1/5" thicker (not much).....

point well taken on the trim issue - those weights were for the GLE models of all 3 with standard GLE features.....

so what soundmike is saying is that all you fat-boys out there driving maximas - it's time to diet so you can save your rotors!!!!!

 

Are stock rotors cheaper than the Brembo?

 

I just checked jerryromenissan.com ...

OEM nissan rotors are $70 ish vs. brembos $50.

I was doing the same comparison, but the only thing I wonder is...

how much will my Nissan Dealership charge to do the install with the news rotors I provide (brembos).... hmmm. I will find out on friday. ill let you know. (quoted my $260 w/ old rotors turned)


Anyone else have any insight?

 

rotors are SUPER-EASY to install....seriously. Especially if you are doing only the fronts (and I doubt you need to replace the rears, they don't have any warping issues that I'm aware of).

You can switch out both front rotors in literally about 30 minutes with some very basic automotive skills and tools....don't waste your money at the stealership...

all you need is a jack, a 14-mm(I think) box-end wrench, and a rubber mallet. Anyone with half a brain can do the rotor swap with little difficulty, even if you're not a "car guy".....

Hell, for $250 I'd drive up to Jersey and do them for you!

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence, about replacing rotors, do you know of a write up for rotors for 5th gen... i saw the one on motorvate.ca

should I be able to follow that?

Plus, i would need to replace pads in rear... anyone have know of any thread to change rear rotors (might as well while i have the chance) and pads? thanks
-Anthony

I think I might go with the route of doing it myself. thanks.. any insight on rear rotors would be much appreciated!

-anthony

 

I agree that this is something incredibly easy to do yourself!!

I just replaced my front stock rotors two weeks ago with Brembo blanks (btw, they have them here for $40 each - http://www.importrp.com/index.php )

I think that the hardest part is changing the pads - and even then it is very simple. Working with limited space and trying to move the whole caliper assembly while trying to line up the new pads and clips was a bit challenging, but with an extra set of hands it should be no problem.

Here is a good write-up - http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...7&postcount=83 - this is what I followed step by step.

Good luck

 

Does this kit fit on 2003 models? If so, that's a pretty good deal as far as I'm concerned...

 

I remember reading that Matt discovered fitment issues with 2k2-2k3's? (he might chime in for comment...)

 

D'oh! I love my 2k3, but, I'm quickly discovering that there are a lot of things that I'd like to do but evidently can't... :/

 

now you are talking my lingo

 

That was a good one!

 

are people that have modded their 2002 and 2003's with the 2004 rotors having warpage issues? The 2004 Rotors are designed for a car that is 300 lbs heavier than the 5th Gen..

-vq

 

I've had front Brembo blanks and Sumitomo pads installed 6/14/04. No warping so far. The pads feel pretty good. Soft bite but good stopping power. They feel smoother than the stock brakes.
I'm happy I had the rotors replaced!

 

Also note that machining rotors just means they'll warp faster next time.
I have a hard time with people selling "resurfacing" jobs when the customer
could get NEW rotors and pads for the same money if they looked around!

I put 30k on my OEM rotors with Raybestos pads and never had any warpage until I did a couple stops from 100+ MPH down to 40 or 30 on the highway. Darn rush hour!
Only got a little pulsation now, but pads are down to 20 or 30%. Gonna go with Brembo slotted blanks all 4 corners next time and a new set of Raybestos.

BTW -- 52k miles and still on the stock rear pads, and the rear rotors have never been off the car, and the pads are still 40%+.

 

It is certainly close enough to use (even though it is specifically for 4th gens). I used that writeup to change my rotors/pads a few weeks ago and it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. Just take your time and you'll be fine.

You'll never pay anyone to change your rotors or pads again.


Oh yeah forgot to add. They are a little over $43 each at NOPI.

 

me thinks brembo blanks are better than oem slightly...go with oem pads though.