My boss has a '99 SE and it's time for brakes. I told her I would help her out to save some money. She said she's kind of "hard" on her brakes so I don't want to put the crap AutoZone variety rotors on the car.

While she's willing to pay more than what the AutoZone ones go for, she isn't looking to do anything fancy like a big brake upgrade or anything.

If anyone could suggest a decent rotor that isn't terribly expensive - please let me know! Same goes for brake pads.

Haven't called them up yet, but Murrays (another auto parts chain around here) sells Bosch rotors and pads that seem really nice. I just put Bosch rotors and ceramic pads on another friend's car and she loves them. Those go for about $50/rotor and about $45 for the set of pads (for front).

Thanks in advance......

 

You seem to know what you are doing - just put on whatever parts you feel are adequate. Some members have had great success with the AIMCO rotors from Pepboys/Autozone - some use OEM replacements... the general consensus seems to be to use a good quality pad - while the rotor doesn't matter as much. I tend to use genuine Nissan parts for the brakes... but I think I am in the minority around here!

 

Brembo rotors from AUTOMAX in the GD forum, buy pads from him too.

 

I would just keep the stock rotors if they are still not warped. If they are warped, go to a local parts store and get some new blanks for like $20 each rotor.

You can also get some Raybestos Quietstop pads from www.rockauto.com. They are low-dusting, and they have good stopping power. Rock Auto is very fast and you should have them in a couple of days.

 

Hey thanks for the replies everyone. Hey kevlo911 - I dig your LED taillights...nice.

I also found Brembo rotors at Tirerack for $44 each and they carry two different brands of ceramic pads (I've heard of neither), one set is $38 the other is $60.

With the $38 pads & the two rotors, the total is $146 to my door.. not too shabby.

If there is any brand in particular I should stay away from - please let me know. The last thing I want is my boss coming back to me after I do the brakes complaining about something....

 

Tire Rack sells Akebono. They make the OE pads for Nissan and many others (not just Japanese cars). They are very good pads You will not be disappointed

 

Called up Tirerack and talked to a rep about the Akebono pads vs. the other ceramic ones they sold. He told me the Akebonos would be quieter and wouldn't create as much brake dust on the wheels.

Showed my boss the numbers and she was fine with the Akebonos at Tirerack and ordered them up on the spot along with the Brembo rotors.

I don't think she minded spending the money only because we both knew that places like Midas or Car-X aren't going to use the nicer equipment and you'll still leave paying over $300 for the job.

Thanks again for the input guys...........

 

I tried to tell you not to get some brand name crap like Brembo so that you would save some money. I guess that didn't matter, huh?

Paying for blanke that are from Brembo is a waste of money. They are the same as the OEM spec blanks at any auto parts store, and you ought to be able to find them for cheaper.

As for the pads, I don't know.
The Raybestos Quietstop are highly praised from a lot of people here on the .org and that is why I got them. They are very low dusting, lower than any pad I have ever seen.
They are only $40.

 

Not a huge deal - it wasn't my money. It was easier to just order everything up at one place. Tirerack has done me well in the past and I know they have decent stuff.

Any tips/tricks about doing the brakes on this car? Any special tool I should know about?

I've upgraded the calipers on my previous car (Mustang 2 piston on my T-bird) so I don't need basic directions. I've just never done them on a Maxima before so if there's something I should know going into the job that'll save me some time - lemme know! Tanks.......

 

Pretty straight forward except the back pistons; they get turned in. Either buy the tool at your favourite autoparts store, or curse a lot as the needle-nose pliers continually slip from your grip

[edit]And for the record, I have always used the cheapest rotors/pads at Autozone and they've held up beautifully[/edit]

 

Good deal. Yeah - I've dealt with rear calipers on cars before. I think most are the same - the piston needs to be rotated as it's pushed back in. After my buddy and I screwed around with this crappy tool for an hour that attaches to a 3/8" ratchet and fits in the notches, I've learned to just borrow the nice caliper tool from AutoZone. Takes longer to wait in line for the tool than the job actually takes!

One of the reasons I wanted my boss to go with a little better parts is the fact that she admits to being hard on her brakes. I figure the better stuff will last longer in that regard. Also - the ceramic pads give off less brake dust than the cheapy pads. I must have that type on my 2k2 - my rims hardly get dirty from the brakes.

 

If you have done rear rotors and pads before, you should have no problems.
It sounds like you know what you are talking about.
It should not even take but just a little while.
This is one of those jobs that it almost takes longer to jack up the car and get the wheels off than it does to do all the rest. ha ha