Well after getting back from a mini road trip with my car i realize there are a few issues for me to address....

First, brakes need to get done. Any braking above 35mph makes the wheel shimmy...
Second, wheel shakes a little bit as i'm driving, i'm assuming it is due to the bad brakes and rotors.
Third, alignment. My wheel is off kilter and pulls to the left, also it roams. meaning when i have the wheel gripped a certain way so that the car is going straight with my off-alignment, it will suddenly pull a lil to the other side. all an alignment issue i'm assuming?

I was going to take my car into a local Pepboys, should i take it there or the dealership?

Also, would pepboys or the dealership be better to do the 60,000 checkup?

 

You're probably going to hear a lot of folks telling you not to take it to Pepboys.

I'd take it to a tire shop or the dealer for a simple front end alignment. Also have them check your tires for balance as that might have something to do with your steering wheel shaking. Generally, dealers aren't all that bad on price when it comes to alignments.

You can find a local mechanic to do the brakes. Nissan will most likely rape you on the price for that. Lots of tire shops do brakes, as well.

Look around in the group deal section for brake rotors and pads. And make sure that the place you want to install them will do so... lots of places will not use "customer supplied parts" even when they are the exact same parts they'd be picking up at Auto Zone (except you don't have to pay the 30% markup).

Good luck and I hope that helps!

 

yeah to that ,... try and find a local trusted shop that will do your brake job,.. if your not willing to do it..

 

When you get your alignment done, have the tech check your inner and out tie rods... from your description of roaming you seem to have the same issue I had on my maxima.

To try and check it yourself, jack up the front wheel... hold the wheel at 9 and 3 clock position.... now push and pull as if you are pushing in at 9 and pulling out at 3. you should have very little play... if you have noticeable play you are probably looking at tie rods. Also, if you take it to the dealership you may want them to check out your LCA bushings and ball joints.

good luck

 

I go to my local Big O' Tires.

The manager knows me there and hooks me up with alignments and all the work I need done.

Do not take it to a cheapo place.

 

Thanks guys, i'm gonna get it checked out this weekend or next.

Now, to find a REPUTABLE mechanic.... that may take some time. Anyone know of one in RI or in MA?

 

You might want to try the regional forums. I'm sure there are guys in your area that either know a mechanic or would be able to recommend one or could possibly do it themselves showing you how to do it next time.