Need help, 2002 Xterra question

FLfinfan · 01-27-2005, 05:27 AM

Before I get blasted please let me appologize for putting this question on a Titan board (I do own one) but I need info as fast as possible and I know this board gets alot of movement, especially the "General Discussion" area.
My GF leases a 2002 Xterra. 22,000 miles on it. 2 days ago we heard what sounded to me like the wear indicator that is in the brake pads. The little metal wire embedded in the pad. It only could be heard with the window down and only (**edit after original post**) when the brakes were not being used. Sound like a rubbing or scrapping. Not bad, but noticeable. I might have the sound wrong, but thats how it sounded to me. No sound when brakes applied. This sound went away completely after a few stops for errands and about 20 min. worth of driving.
This happened once before alittle while back, but dissapeared for months till now.

Called Nissan today to set an appt. to have it looked at. Car dealer can look at it today and fix it tomorrow if we drop it off tonight after work. He said it sounded like rotors and that it could cost 230-240 bucks. He was a service writer, not a tech.
Questions:
1. Does it sound like a brake wear indicator to you guys or could it be something much worse like wheel bearings? Wouldn't wheel bearings make that sound even if the brakes were applied?
2. I know brake pads are not covered under warranty, but are rotors?
3. If it is rotors and/or pads, should that cost 230 - 240 bucks? I can not fix this myself, never done it before.
4. Can I get this done somewhere else cheaper, but reliable, like a Midas or Meinike?
5, Anything to be carefull of when having this service performed, like double checking any area they might leave something unfinished like loose lug nuts, bleeding the brakes, braking in the new brakes etc...

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I need to be able to give the GF info on wether to take it to Nissan or somewhere else, and a general estimate of cost. We really can't afford $230-$240 right now, especially if it ends up being messed up even after the fix. Not completely trusting of this dealers complete and final fix ability....been there before....

tnbowhunter · 01-27-2005, 05:34 AM

The wife drives a 2001 Xterra, we had the same noise about 6 months ago. I jacked the front end off the ground and when I would spin the wheel it made the same noise. I took the wheel off and sure enough the pads were down to the wear indicator.
We had new pads installed and had the rotors turned. I can't remember how much but it was way less than having new rotors installed.

CaptainBay 3000 · 01-27-2005, 05:44 AM

Usually wear indicators on brake pads make a high pitched squeeking noise, not a grinding noise. 22,000 seems early for worn out pads unless she drives with her foot on the brake all the time. I've seen part of the friction material actually come off the pad before. If this is the case it could have damaged her rotors and would really be a warranty item, but good luck convincing the dealer of this. They will try to tell you it is a normal wear item. I would pull the wheel off and look at the pads first to be sure, or you can always take it to the dealer to diagnose and quote the cost and then decide what to do with it. If part of the pad broke off though they probably wouldn't tell you.

FLfinfan · 01-27-2005, 06:26 AM

She called back about an hour ago and they said the brake pads and rotor are not covered under warranty. They said it was a wear item. $230-$240 seems high for a brake job.
When I take the wheel off and check today,what am I looking for? If it looks like pads and / or rotors, should I have Nissan or someone else do the work? Anyone know if that violates the lease/warranty? Don't have her paperwork with me right now.

onthefence · 01-27-2005, 06:46 AM

Honestly, $240 sounds very reasonable for a rotor and pad replacement. I was a tech for 15 years and can remember many $500 and up brake jobs on neglected vehicles.
If you want to shop around- look in the phone book for a Nissan specialist and ask for a quote. Those chain-store repair shops don't have a reputation for being reliable.

tnbowhunter · 01-27-2005, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLfinfan

She called back about an hour ago and they said the brake pads and rotor are not covered under warranty. They said it was a wear item. $230-$240 seems high for a brake job.
When I take the wheel off and check today,what am I looking for? If it looks like pads and / or rotors, should I have Nissan or someone else do the work? Anyone know if that violates the lease/warranty? Don't have her paperwork with me right now.

Jack the side that you think the noise is coming from off the ground, take the wheel off. If the pads are thinner than the bracket that holds the pads on the pads need to be replaced. If the rotor has minor grooves they should be able to just turn them, if it is grooved badly then they will probably have to be replaced. Most often it can be fixed with just new pads and turning the rotors.
Any reputable tire center or mechanic can do the job, it's not that big of a deal, and i'm sure they will be cheaper and just as good as Nissan.
I don't see how it could possibly void your warranty, as it is a wear item.
P.S. check your P.Ms.

pagerdaddy · 01-27-2005, 07:45 AM

There are some small shops around that do good work, just as there are many bad ones. I haven't noticed in a while, but most of the little places around here advertise a front brake job for $69.95, which includes front pads and turning the rotors. If you want, you could call Auto Zone or Advance, just to see how much new rotors cost, if it turns out you need them. I got a pleasant surprise on the last brake job I did myself. The wife had a Dodge Caravan, and new rotors for it were only $25 each. I doubt if you'll be that lucky, but $240 sounds pretty high for a front brake job, especially if that is for just turning the rotors.

Hawkeye · 01-27-2005, 07:47 AM

I sold my X for the Titan, anyway the brake pads can be changeds in about 45 minuts total. The hardest part is removing the wheels. The milage sounds about right, I went through 4 sets on my 2000 and sold it at 125k miles. Once the wheel is removed, there is only 1 bolt that you need to remove, it is the retaining bolt tha holds the caliper to the rotor. Then you just pivot the caliper up, pull out the old pads and put in the new. I only had my rotors turned once at around 60K and replaced them at 105k, boy how I miss those brakes. Total cost for pad replacement if you do it yourself woud be about $65 for the pads.

FLfinfan · 01-27-2005, 08:09 AM

Thanks to all for the info. I don't know if you noticed but I edited one part of the origianl post. I meant to say the brakes only made that noise when they were not being used. When you used them the sound stopped. Sorry, was in a hurry typing.
Just asked someone who recently quit from a nationally known tire and break place because they didn't like the way they did business. They said they saw guys messing up other stuff that was perfectly fine so people had to come back for more work. I know every place is not like that, but it is a worry. Snapped off lugs/bolts, tires falling off, all that worries me. The person I was talking to said they even crimped a guys new stainless break lines once but the manager who told them to do things like this would not let that one go out. But he did say he saw people loosen radiator hose clamps and slit CV boots. They got caught by the guy with the CV boots because there was no dust or dirt in the new cut and he had replaced them 2 weeks earlier. He damanded they fix it for free. They did and also didn't charge him for the original problem. The person I know said the guy had Miami area plates and was a target as soon as he drove in because they thought he would have to pay in order to get home (about 3 hours away).

Again thanks for all the info. I wil be doing alittle looky at brakeys this afternoon. And everything else under there.

pagerdaddy · 01-27-2005, 09:58 AM

There are crooks all over. The area I live in is a collection of small towns, and these type places usually don't last very long once word gets around. Unless of course, they are close enough to the interstate to scam the tourists. Taking your vehicle to a dealer doesn't always mean you'll get quality work, just review some of the threads here. I never go to a dealership for anything not covered by warranty. I've yet to take a car to a dealer for a covered repair that wasn't at least $1000 for them to fix.

FLfinfan, disc brakes aren't that difficult to work on, and I'm sure you'll be able to get any help here on the board if you need it. If you have to remove the rotors, you'll need jack stands or some way to safely support the truck while you take them to be turned.

Sounds like a good project for you this weekend. If you decide to do it yourself, I'd try to get everything disassembled Friday night, then you'll have Saturday morning to take the rotors somewhere, or to get pads. I'm not hard on brakes, and haven't had to change any on the Nissans I've owned before I traded them. I have heard that you are better off with the factory pads on a Nissan. I've heard the same about Honda's.
Of course, that can stir up as much debate as what oil or filter to use.

Let us know what you decide to do, and remember we're all here for you if you need us.

FLfinfan · 01-27-2005, 10:13 AM

Thanks man. I appreciate all the help. I will take a look this afternoon and see whats up. The GF leases the Xterra so I would be wary of messing something up for her. I already do her car's oil / filter changes, air cleaner, tire rotations, etc... but I have never done a brake job. I have a 4 ton floor jack, 4 heavy duty jack stands, electric impact wrench, and other assorted tools. So it would not be a huge problem. Plus we car pool alot, so we can use my Titan if the X is out of service for awhile. Thanks again. This site is a gold mine of knowledge.

By the way, did my ground wire fix the other day, no ticking so far. The only one I could find was a snazy red one so it even looks kinda cool in an engine compartmnt of all black stuff. And this after 2 dealer attempts to fix by swapping out exhaust tube assy and rear cat. Hope this is it. I should go back and show the tech who worked on it those 2 times. Not as a rub in, but for others to benifit. They were pretty cool about trying to fix it, so i'm not mad at them. But I am glad it got fixed, hopefully for good.

smoke_armada · 01-27-2005, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onthefence

Honestly, $240 sounds very reasonable for a rotor and pad replacement. I was a tech for 15 years and can remember many $500 and up brake jobs on neglected vehicles.
If you want to shop around- look in the phone book for a Nissan specialist and ask for a quote. Those chain-store repair shops don't have a reputation for being reliable.

My last vehicle was an '01 Xterra and I always had brake problems. 3 brake jobs in 59K miles. Whatever you do don't go to a discount place that does only brake jobs. I did and it made my problem worse. Cheap parts and poor workmanship to keep their costs down. Good luck.

pagerdaddy · 01-27-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLfinfan

I have a 4 ton floor jack, 4 heavy duty jack stands, electric impact wrench, and other assorted tools. So it would not be a huge problem.

Sounds like all you need now is a pair of gloves and a cigarette dangling from your mouth....(not that I would tease anyone)

abmobil · 01-27-2005, 10:42 AM

Its good to turn the rotors but you can get by without at that milege. My dads 01 supercharged crew cab has 88k, and ive put on 3 sets of pads and never had the rotors turned or replaced it stops fine and has no pulsation. A good set of pads will run you 30 to 40 bucks at advance and they are very easy to change on the X.

RedMunsta · 01-27-2005, 11:13 AM

When I took my xterra in for the same thing, they wanted to also put on new rotors at the dealership. I went to my local mechanic and he checked the rotors and said they looked fine and replaced just the pads.

You may want to ask if they can machine the rotors on without taking them off the vehicle. There is new equipment out to do that now. This is where the big expense is when doing brake work on a 4wd.