I bought a set of new Powerstop Evolution carbon fiber pads and premium rotors for my 2004 Maxima. The pad box says "premium rubberized noise reducing shims provide noise free breaking" and I notice that it appears a thin shim???... layer is bonded to the back plates of the pads. But I'm still not sure if I need to use the original shims and shim covers on inner and outer pads as well. Can anyone tell me if it is necessary? If so i will need to purchase new shims inner and outer for both sides of car. Also, the "odd" pad with the two clips (I guess this is a squealer clip?); does it go on the inner, passenger side caliper? Thanks for your help!

 

I found this article that offers some helpful information, though it didn't really answer my original question. I'm thinking with the newer shoes I can toss the factory metal shims and covers altogether, unless the new pads come with separate shims to install with them. But that's just a guess on my part. If I find out otherwise I will post again.

http://www.knowyourparts.com/technic...rts-neglected/

 

And this:
"When changing brake pads you need to take care that you re use or replace the essential hardware that was on the original pads when the car was built. Hardware on original pads often includes stainless steel silver shims on the reverse of the pads and these CAN be re used IF THE NEW SET OF PADS YOU HAVE do not have any shims. Some manufacturers use a black rubberised shim instead of these stainless parts. DO NOT ever use BOTH shims as this will cause an over thickness situation and will cause pad drag and overheat. You only need the one shim set on brake pads."

http://ebcbrakes.com/articles/brake-pad-rattle/

 

Got it all done and put back together. Did the break in procedure and all is going great so far. I hope this helps someone else with some details that aren't readily available. Another couple of things that someone doing this for the first time might want to note regarding these '04's. One of the pads our to the four has two metal clips riveted to it's top side. This pad is the inner pad for the right/passenger side front brake. The clips go up. If your new brake pads have the factory shims attached you do not need additional/original shims also.

 

BTW, it ain't rocket science if you can find the info you need to do a brake job on these cars. Any idiot can do it if they are halfway mechanically inclined, have the time, tools, patience, and know how to read. Use the money you would have used to hire a mechanic to buy you a good set of tools for your next repair.

 

Whats happening here?

 

I was having a conversation with myself. I assumed I must be an idiot. But I found what I needed to know so I posted the answers to my undoubtedly idiotic question so the next guy who's unfamiliar with the parts or how or where they fit won't over do it with the shims, or feel too intimidated to tackle what's really an easy job themselves. I've done a hundred brake jobs on other cars, so even though I'm a newbie to this forum, I'm not a newbie to working on my cars. But I've never used these ceramic pads, nor slotted and drilled rotors so i wasn't sure about shimming and shim covers and their necessity. I didn't want to screw em up. But I found out through my own research I was overthinking it. So yeah, I'm an idiot. But hopefully the next guy who feels like he's an idiot for asking an idiotic question will find my answer helpful. Thanks for asking!
I guess I should also add I was getting a little frustrated trying to get my car back together, as I just finished replacing my alternator (WHAT A CHORE!), thermostat, belts, struts, tie rod ends, right CV axle, stabilizer bar connectors, drained and filled my transmission, and it was late when I was trying to get these new brakes on, so forgive my snarkyness. I am currently here: (see photo). Replacing my leaking rocker covers and gaskets, PCV valve, plugs and rear coil packs. So far, removing the collector was 100 times easier for me than replacing that danged alternator!

 

 

BTW, I called two local reputable Auto shops, one was Lander Nissan here in Southaven, to get estimates on replacing my rear valve covers, plugs, coil packs etc. that I am currently doing myself because I had read and watched videos on doing it and seemed like a massive and difficult undertaking. That was last week. Neither of them have called, or emailed me an estimate as of yet, as they had promised. So that pretty much forced me into doing this one myself also. I'm glad I did! It aint rocket science. But it does take patience, some mechanical knowledge, FSM's, taking a lot of photos for reference, and labeling everything. I'm actually REALLY enjoying this now. ....and hoping I can get it all back together! HA! Waiting on some parts to ship this week.
These maxima forums, and the shop manuals I downloaded, and the knowledgable people who post on here have been INVALUABLE! As well as some you tube videos. But I've gotta say, this thing doesn't seem like it's put together quite like ANY of the other 6th gens I've looked at. It's definitely been a learning experience. And a good one!

 

Well, let me clarify that. I guess it really is rocket science. But replacing components, when you know what is bad and can actually get to it isn't. I could not, nor would not ever want to have to rebuild a transmission, or get into the real guts of the engine. I have a lot of respect and admiration for the guys that do. More so now after doing what I consider this minor stuff for myself. I just know that in the past 4 weeks, I've gone from someone that dreaded working on my car to really enjoying it. Thanks to all you guys for opening my eyes a little.

 

Well Slydog, to help keep you from talking to yourself and to even up the ratio of replies, I'll chime in and say thanks for posting the above info. I just purchased an 05 and will be thinking about upgrading the brakes with drilled and/or slotted rotors and upgraded pads when they need it.

Cheers,
Greg