Hey all. The Max has 30K miles on it. Admittedly, I drive it hard and brake hard. I hear no grinding noise when I hit the brakes, and the braking distance is good, but if I slow down from lets say 20 mph, I feel a pulsing sensation on the pedal, and when the car slows to 5 mph, I feel the front end sort of "rocking" back and forth (almost indistinguishable) until it comes to a stop. Maybe thats something to do with the alignment, but I doubt it. The car tracks true.

What mileage have you guys had the brake pads done ? I dont want to put $150+ in anybodys pocket just yet, but I dont want to damage the rotors either.

 

almost seems to me like you may have low brake fluid. or there are air pockets. i would say bleed them but if you have never worked on them there should be no air. maybe fluid.

 

[QUOTE=Ferbs02SMMax], but if I slow down from lets say 20 mph, I feel a pulsing sensation on the pedal, and when the car slows to 5 mph, I feel the front end sort of "rocking" back and forth (almost indistinguishable) until it comes to a stop. QUOTE]

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The pulsing feeling usually is associated with Warped Rotors. If you are braking hard, you generate a lot of heat, and if you do this when it too cold outside the rotor tends to cool quick causing it to possibly warp a bit.

Have the rotors checked, that is what I would recommend.

 

Your rotors are warped. You can easily take them off yourself (will
take about 5 minutes per side -- all you need is a 14mm wrench to
remove the two caliper bolts). Getting them both turned will cost around
$20-$30. Unfortunately, if you often brake hard, they'll probably
warp again. You might want to think about decent aftermarket
rotors/pads. Also, make sure your wheel lugs are torqued properly.
I always torque mine in stages to 80 ft lbs

 

I too have noticed this...what are the best options for aftermarket rotors that don't cost a fortune? And would you have to get new calipers too? Though I don't do alot of hard braking generally.....that sucks that stock rotors would be this poor in quality, but seems its a problem that pops up on maximas alot...

 

I don't think the rotors are of poor quality. I have owned 3 Maxima SE's through the years. The braking system has always been good for me. Even when I did aggressive braking. Sometimes rotors get warped by improper torquing and/or using an impact gun to tighten them. Of course you can always get better brakes if you want to spend the $$$$$.

 

Interesting...wonder if this could have been caused when I got new tires and they used the gun on the lugs....

 

It is very possible. They try to tell you that they are not applying that much torque with their impact guns. They are fullofsh*t. I work with impacts at my job and they can have up to 400+ foot pounds when tightening fasteners. I always insist on hand torquing when someone has to remove my wheels for any service. I actually check them myself before I leave the place. I carry a torgue wrench in my trunk.

 

thanx for the info...will have to dig up my torque wrench and check them....

 

You're welcome. If they are already warped, it may be too late to do anything by retorquing them. I had a problem like that with a Honda Civic that I bought used. I had to replace the warped rotors to stop my pulsations. The lug nuts were on so tight that I had to use a long 1/2" drive breaker bar to loosen them.

 

hey, you guys aint half bad, thanks for the headsup. always able to provide a solution. i will have the dealer look at it and let me know a price, and then have a friend who works at a dealer do it before it gets real cold outside.