5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

brakes pulsate

Old Apr 14, 2013 | 01:23 PM
  #1  
kinsella1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
From: RI
brakes pulsate

just need some help why do my brakes pulsate i change the pads and rotors look good . does any know or have had this issue
Old Apr 14, 2013 | 01:31 PM
  #2  
jomurill's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 13
Probably you need to balance your wheels ... I check that first
Old Apr 14, 2013 | 01:36 PM
  #3  
DjHackStyle's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 972
From: Bronx, NY
U can't see warped rotors. Mine are nice and smooth looking but when I brake it pulsates so much it feels dangerous.I got my 6th Gen big brake kit waiting for a nice day to put it on
Old Apr 14, 2013 | 01:37 PM
  #4  
DjHackStyle's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 972
From: Bronx, NY
Originally Posted by jomurill
Probably you need to balance your wheels ... I check that first
This is true if it vibrates at all times not just braking
Old Apr 14, 2013 | 01:38 PM
  #5  
Aviation005's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 211
could be that they are so new they have not been broken in yet?

idk, but with new pads and rotors, that should solve it I would think..

maybe you have some strut or other issue that causes the vibration when braking?
Old Apr 14, 2013 | 01:40 PM
  #6  
T_Behr904's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,344
From: Jacksonville, FL
rotors might be warped. Did you install new pads on the old rotors without having them turned?
Old Apr 14, 2013 | 01:40 PM
  #7  
litch's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,480
From: Columbus Ga
try bleeding your brake lines...


could be that you got a wee bit o air trapped in there.
Old Apr 14, 2013 | 01:44 PM
  #8  
DjHackStyle's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 972
From: Bronx, NY
He said his rotors look good, means he didn't put new rotors
Old Apr 15, 2013 | 09:01 AM
  #9  
kinsella1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
From: RI
OK thanks. I had not replaced rotors but seems reasonable and I guess that is next step. How do rotors warp. Are performance rotors really worth it
Old Apr 15, 2013 | 09:04 AM
  #10  
Gemner's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,393
From: Hayward, CA
brembo blanks are worth it, most others are not, and drilled rotors are a great way to send money directly into a furnace

our rotors tend to warp by picking up brake dust deposits into the rotor, seems to be a crappy Nissan OEM rotor problem, my brembo blanks have been going strong for a long time
Old Dec 29, 2013 | 05:07 AM
  #11  
billc-'s Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11
From: Frederick, MD
Originally Posted by Gemner
our rotors tend to warp by picking up brake dust deposits into the rotor, seems to be a crappy Nissan OEM rotor problem, my brembo blanks have been going strong for a long time
I have a 2002 SE. Every 10,000 to 15,000 miles the front brakes start pulsating. Then it gets worse as more miles are logged. I agree that the probable cause is uneven buildup of pad material on the rotors, but I don't know why it does this on the Maxima.

The problem is easily resolved by having the rotors turned. This last time I installed new Brembo rotors and Hawk street pads hoping that this combo would help. It did not. After 15,000 miles, the pulsation has returned.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Old Dec 29, 2013 | 11:39 AM
  #12  
CauzinDrama's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 815
From: Cape Cod, Ma
Upgrade to the 6th gen Big Brake KIT..... I'm well over 30,000.... Still brakes like a champ and smooth
Old Jan 1, 2014 | 09:06 PM
  #13  
maxiiiboy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,446
From: California
Originally Posted by billc-
I have a 2002 SE. Every 10,000 to 15,000 miles the front brakes start pulsating. Then it gets worse as more miles are logged. I agree that the probable cause is uneven buildup of pad material on the rotors, but I don't know why it does this on the Maxima.

The problem is easily resolved by having the rotors turned. This last time I installed new Brembo rotors and Hawk street pads hoping that this combo would help. It did not. After 15,000 miles, the pulsation has returned.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
I have similar experience with my car (2000 SE).

I have installed Brembo blank rotors and Raybestos Quiet Stops pads (at 35K miles Front, and 50K miles Rear) and the pulsation went away - for a short while. It came back after 15-20k miles.

I have found that washing the car (or just watering the wheels) greatly reduces the pulsation - for a few days. I am now experimenting with "Squeal Medic" spray (you can buy it at O'Reillys). It seems to help a lot more. I just started, so I can't report on how durable this fix is.

From what I have read, the pulsation is more often caused by deposits on the rotor than actual warping of the rotor. Also, the angle at which the pad is pressed against the rotor is a factor. So, I am thinking of disassembling, cleaning, and lubricating/servicing the calipers and pads next.
Old Jan 1, 2014 | 09:34 PM
  #14  
ShocknAwe's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,285
From: Atlanta, Ga
Rotors dont wear perfectly even, take the rotors to your auto parts store and have them turn them. It is basic maintenance. No pad material builds up lol come on. Try not to slam on your brakes every time and it wont happen so often

Last edited by ShocknAwe; Jan 1, 2014 at 10:12 PM.
Old Jan 1, 2014 | 09:37 PM
  #15  
CauzinDrama's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 815
From: Cape Cod, Ma
Brakes are undersized for the power and weight of the 5th Gen Maxima. Bigger brakes will solve the longevity and performance of the brakes.
Old Jan 1, 2014 | 10:13 PM
  #16  
ShocknAwe's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,285
From: Atlanta, Ga
engine is undersized too.....better go boost
Old Jan 1, 2014 | 10:18 PM
  #17  
CauzinDrama's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 815
From: Cape Cod, Ma
Originally Posted by ShocknAwe
engine is undersized too.....better go boost
Correction ment to say 5.5th gen. 5th Gen is undersized
Old Oct 29, 2020 | 06:31 AM
  #18  
Extremerecluse's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
Originally Posted by kinsella1
just need some help why do my brakes pulsate i change the pads and rotors look good . does any know or have had this issue
I had heavy pulsating which kept getting worse. Changed rotors. But thought everything is attached to the axle. If the axle is warped or bent, the hub is oscillating. If the hub is oscillating, then the rotor is also. I changed my long axle on the passenger side. Problem solved.
Old Oct 29, 2020 | 12:36 PM
  #19  
The Wizard's Avatar
Administrator
iTrader: (43)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,718
From: Southern California
Originally Posted by Extremerecluse
I had heavy pulsating which kept getting worse. Changed rotors. But thought everything is attached to the axle. If the axle is warped or bent, the hub is oscillating. If the hub is oscillating, then the rotor is also. I changed my long axle on the passenger side. Problem solved.
You do realize that you are responding to a question from 7 years ago? Please be mindful of your posts.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BPuff57
Advanced Suspension, Chassis, and Braking
33
Apr 16, 2020 05:15 AM
My Coffee
New Member Introductions
15
Jun 6, 2017 02:01 PM
leatherneck
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
1
Sep 30, 2015 09:16 PM
HerpDerp1919
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
2
Sep 29, 2015 02:02 PM
Socalstillen
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
1
Sep 26, 2015 12:01 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:09 PM.