Ceramic brake pads....

Pugsly · 10-09-2004, 06:17 AM

with expected delivery on Oct 22 for my new 04 LE CC 4x4, i am thinking about buying a set of ceramic front pads to have on hand at delivery with the intention of either:
a) requesting dealer install them before delivery (obviously hopefully only charge labor) or
b) as soon as i get home replace the pads myself (hopefully with less than 10 miles on it so no worry about rotors and such right? (do it on my jeep GC myself but kinda really is a pain!)

This is to hopefully solve the all too common TSB problem that only seems to be a temp fix and also because i always planned on going to cermaic right away to rid of dust and improve braking performance and i heard this fix is a permanent one.

are there any online brake replacement guides for the titan? (the first time is always the biggest pain)

if the ceramic pad isn't the fix and they still warp, will this void the tsb?

40-Dan · 10-09-2004, 06:34 AM

Quote:

if the ceramic pad isn't the fix and they still warp, will this void the tsb?

I bet it would. This is the only reason why I haven't looked at going ceramic yet. I want to be SURE the rotor issue is fixed. I have reason to believe that mine are screwed up again after NEW rotors and the SECOND TSB.

Dan

Tom Roper · 10-09-2004, 09:29 AM

The TSB includes replacement of the torque member and sliding pins. The warping problem likely exists THERE. You won't fix that going to ceramic pads alone.

keiffers · 10-09-2004, 09:38 AM

It will all depend on what the dealer fixed when they performed the TSB. Mine went all the way and replaced everything, sans the rotors. So far I have had no problems, so I feel my brake issue has been fixed.

Tom Roper · 10-09-2004, 09:50 AM

Ditto what keiffers said. The early TSBs did not call for replacement of the torque member and sliding pins. So someone getting the early TSB done would seem a more likely candidate for recurrence of the problem.

In reading the TSBs (I have), it seems to me the early TSB only addressed symptoms, not the underlying cause. That TSB called for replacing the torque member bolts, probably not because they are bad, but because EVERY brake service that calls for removing the caliper specifies replacing the torque member bolts. As I read it, the reason thus for removing the caliper was because the TSB called for machining the discs using an on-vehicle lathe, in which case you have to remove the calipers for clearance, and to avoid metal shavings. The original TSB also called for replacing the pads, but with the SAME pads. This is why I say the original TSB addressed only the symptoms.

The revised TSB additionally calls for replacement of the torque member, sliding pins, and revised brake pads, presumably to address the underlying problem causing the warpage, but who knows? Only time will tell...my $0.02

virus · 10-09-2004, 10:10 AM

The pads more than likely aren't the culprit. Maximas have the same problem with warping very badly. The rotors don't have enough surface space to take that much heat. The Nissan break pads are ceramic pads. Most aftermarket pads squeal.

Tom Roper · 10-09-2004, 10:23 AM

The Nissan original equipment pads are not ceramic. For inadequate surface area to be the cause, you have to assume they are overheating. I don't think they are getting that hot. I may take some IR pyrometer measurements. Warpage can also be caused by stresses released when metal is removed, or excessive torque on the lug nuts, which is mentioned in the TSB.

TallTexan · 10-09-2004, 12:45 PM

Had the latest TSB done on mine at 3000 miles and currently have almost 6000 miles. Guess what, no brake dust. Wheels stay nice and clean. Brakes work great. Radio replacement is great also. Now I just enjoy driving it.