n3985

iTrader: (36)

Lately I've been noticing that my car has been making weird noises or not perform like it used to.

1. By installing a Frankencar intake, I feel that I lost much of the low end torque, which makes highway passing more tedious. BUT, ever since I installed the intake I've been gettin rattling noises from 1500-2000rpm with either the Apex'i filter hitting the inner body panel, or raised too high and hitting the hood. Any ideas to fix this? I've already experimented with different "spacer" heights for the support bracket to avoid filter hitting something.

2. When I brake on the highway and only highway, my steering wheel shakes, and the harder I brake the harder the shake. Are my rotors warped or just my tires out of balance? I feel ZERO shaking when braking around town. Also, when I brake, I can literally hear loud duh-duh-duh-duh sounds from my brakes, is this ABS working (again only highway)? Is it suppose to be this loud?

3. When I am stopped at a light, and idling at 700rpm, I can hear a slight rattle/scratchy noise from the engine. What is this? It is def a different sound from the intake rattle.

4. When I pass someone on the highway, half the time my car no longer downshifts and when it does, when it hits 3,000rpm, there is a split second pause then power comes back. Is this a sign that my MAF is going? I have an 02 btw.

5. Whenever I make a "spirited" run aka passing someone on a highway or taking the rpms up to 4-5,000rpm a few times. I get the foul egg smell in my car which I know is from the catalytic converter. Does this mean I have a leak?

Thanks for the help!

OHH NOES

iTrader: (3)

Number 2 would be warped rotors, the duh-duh-duh noise is the pad going over the warped area on the rotor. I would think that the rattle/scratchy noise during idle at 700rpm is your timing chain

n3985

iTrader: (36)

Great, so I too have suffered the common brake rotor warping issue. So do I change all 4 rotors? Or just the front? I only have 14,xxx miles on the car.

Also, I keep on reading that the OEM brake pads are the cause of the warping. But the OEMs are silent and dust so little, what aftermarket pads can I go with that is the same as OEM? People recommend Hawk HPS, which I had before and hated the noise they made. Recommendations?

MoCoMax

I'm on AXXIS pads, which I understand are the the same as the old Repco Metalmasters. I went with Powerslots when I replaced my rotors, and did all 4 of them. The OEM rotors are simply lousy - they'll eventually warp no matter what brake pad you use.

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

I used black zip ties to make my filter stay in place, three total.

1) around the MAF
2) from the one around the MAF to the pipe/tube thing on the driver side strut tower
3) from the one around the MAF to a circle hole thingy below the MAF (it's black)

check out my site under "show off" to find out http://dimsumracing.tripod.com/

steven88

iTrader: (28)

1. I had this problem before...I ditched the bracket that berk supplied and held it on tight with those silicon couplers...just position it the way u want it (so it doesn't hit anything) and tighten those clamps as hard as you can...there has to be clearance between the frame of the car, and the lining on the hood....just play around with it a little and u will eventually get it...

2. sounds like warped rotors...I had this problem before I switched to Brembo rotors and axxis ultimate pads....there would be a vibration in the steering wheel only under hard braking conditions...around town it was fine....new front pads and rotors did the trick....oh yeah make sure u flush out the system too...I used valvoline synthetic brake fluid to flush out my lines...another word of advice...stay away from axxis ultimates or metal masters if u don't want dust...these ***** dust like theres no tomorrow!

3. Not sure what it could be....does it only happen when your in DRIVE with the brakes applied? try popping the hood and sourcing the noise with the engine on

4. I don't think its a leak...just yer catalytic converter going bad....swap it to a new high flow cat for $100...works just as good as oem except it costs 1/4th the price!

n3985

iTrader: (36)

Thanks Steven, since my car is still under original warranty, do you think the rotors will be covered under warranty?

BLAKZIMA

Nope, thats general maintaining sorry

n3985

iTrader: (36)

But at only 14,xxx miles? That is kind of rediculous no?

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

My local Infiniti dealer turned my rotors and de-glazed the pads once or twice under warranty. I can't exactly remember when either, but I think I had it done somewhere in the 12k-19k mile range.

In short, try, because you might have some luck. Then again, I also have pretty bada$$ dealer service.