Max8MyCash

iTrader: (3)

I just did a brake change, and did both front and rear. Here is the problem, I put the car in reverse, and start backing up and as I apply the brakes, there is a "dragging" noise, and the car sounds like its thundering to a stop. It is really odd, and very deep sounding, so I am wondering if anyone has ever heard of this? Mine is a 99 GXE without ABS...
Please help, I am a whole bit concerned
Thanks
Alex

nizmolee

iTrader: (1)

Alex,
Ask Daniel B. Martin! He is a genious! I would have made it home from pheonix in 5 hours but my Mass air flow sensor started tripping b/c of the intake. So i had to play around with it so i could reach 65 mph. hella slow driving home. Thanks for dinner! Dont forget to let me know if you are coming to cali and then I will take you guys out to some really good Vietnamese Cusines. Oh yeah, turn your rotors at checkers, this may or may not solve the problem but they due take out the glaze in your rotors. Thanks
Wayne

Maxima95GLE

A couple of questions: Did you use aftermarket brake pads? Further, did you reuse the OEM shims? Also, do your brakes squeal to a stop?

I don't think the above things will cause your problem, but they might be a factor. Nonetheless, most importantly, when you changed your brakes, did you have your rotors turned? The new pads probably aren't seated correctly due to the fact that the rotors haven't been turned. You should look to get them turned, most brake shops will do them for a reasonable price.

Let us know what it was, if you figure out the problem.

Max8MyCash

iTrader: (3)

They are PBR brake pads/aftermarket street pads.
And yes, they do squeal to a stop when going forward. The rotors look like mirrors now, it is soooo weird, they look shiny and smooth as hell, whereas before, they never looked that "smooth"
??
Alex

Maxima95GLE

First things first, look into getting your rotors turned. This might help out with your grinding problem. And also, this will increase your brakes effectiveness, as it seems like your brakes are currently glazed.

Second, if you still have the factory shims, USE them. I found it out the hard way when I replaced my brakes. I ended up buying a new factory shim set (~$18 for the front set), as I threw the old hardware away. However, my squeaking disappeared by using the factory shims. Alternatively, you might look at using some product like Disc Quiet ($5/bottle, which is more than adequate), and put it on the backing of the pads (the surfaces of the pad that contacts the brake calipers) to help it absorb any unwanted vibrations in your brakes (i.e. the annoying squealing!).

Daniel B. Martin

You are describing "glazed" rotors.

I suggest you remove those new pads and make sure all the small sheet-metal hardware is in place. Then use a coarse grade of emery cloth to rough up the glazed surface of the rotors. If the face of the friction linings look glazed, give them the emery cloth treatment too.

Look at the leading and trailing edge of the friction materials. They should have a chamfer (beveled edge). If not, use a hand file to "break" those sharp edges.

It is necessary to resurface the rotors if they are warped or deeply grooved. If not, the emery cloth technique is the economical course of action.

Max8MyCash

iTrader: (3)

And everyone else, I will be trying everything today (this afternoon)
Thanks again
Alex

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Actually a better way to break the glaze on the rotors is to use a disc grinder w/ a 100 grit paper. You can also use this to take the "lip" off the edge of the rotors also. I suspect if you use an emery cloth for the glaze and a file for the "lip", you'll be there forever. Just a thought.

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

Never understood why the Axxis Metalmasters had a beveled edge...now I do...interesting......

Daniel B. Martin

A disc grinder is a wonderful tool and would take the drudgery out of this job. I hesitate to give repair advice which depends on having certain tools. Some Maxima owners have them, some don't, so I try to give instructions which could be followed by almost anyone.

plrod Black 95 SE

I was thinking the same thing.

pmar

Just so we don't go off on a tangent many of us have replaced pads without turning the rotors and experienced no problems. If that is not the cause of your sound it will not cure it, kinda like prescribing antibiotics when there is no bacteria present(doctors often do it without even seeing the patient). These days rotors are very cheap so you could even simply replace them. But if something else is wrong your sound will still be there. good luck.

ericdwong

Well here is another thing to check for. DOes it feel like the entire car drags? Well on my old 90 Camry, which has brakes set up similar to the Maxima, I forgot to tighten down the lower torque plate bolts. When I was in reverse, the caliper would get pushed up and actually drag against the inner part of the rim. This caused a very violent binding noise, but ONLY in reverse, due to the rotation of the rotor pushing the brake caliper out. Going forwards was alright, cause the caliper still woulda worked (hard to visualize). God forbid I didnt not tighten the top bolt, or it woulda been REALLY bad if I was going forwards. What you can do, is have a friend look outside and watch the calipers when you are in reverse. You can also look at the inner parts of your rim to make sure there are no gouges and make sure the bolts are all there on the brakes themselves. Good luck.