05 brake observations and new pads

CJ3FLYR · 07-01-2005, 05:32 AM

I have been enjoying my new ’05 LE over the last few days

. I’m up to a whopping 410miles already.

Based on all the great info here I’ve learned about and studied the brake issue thoroughly. Now that I finally have my hands on my truck I officially have an opinion (like that really matters)

. Based on experiences with several other vehicles where I’ve attempted to upgrade brake performance I have some first hand experience with a variety of pad compounds. I do know on the correct application, in the right circumstance, soft, sticky pads are good but most of the time they don’t mix well with real life.

My Titan has the new rotors and is (was) destined for ‘judder’. The dirty, soft, factory pads are great for generating very impressive 30-0 distances but are too grabby. As has been beat to death around the forums the heat and slight deposit left on the rotor after a stop will certainly cause warping in time. I have experienced this exact phenomenon on other vehicles (bikes and cars). Last night I put a set of ceramics on it. They feel better and have a much nicer initial grab at brake application. I’m hopeful the combination of proper torque, new rotors and good pads will keep me out of trouble.

There has been some discussion of Nissans new direction with ‘the fix’. It’s claimed they may drop the focus from the rotors and just do pads and hardware. I believe that may be just fine. The old OEM pads were so wrong, IMHO, that even the new rotors were destined to warp. As if that wasn’t speculative enough I think I got new rotors and ‘old’ pads as a result of supply issues on the assembly line. I am sure at some point they’ll come with the right pads too. Time will tell if I’m onto something or just blowing smoke. My recommendation? As ridiculous as this is, put new pads and correctly torque the wheels on your brand-new truck early or deal with trips to the stealer.

I’m interested in anyone else’s thoughts… Thanks for reading and I am loving my new truck! By far the nicest vehicle I have ever owned

. (White CC, 4wd, OR, BT, AB, roof, nav and bench).

Chris

Treebasher · 07-01-2005, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ3FLYR

I have been enjoying my new ’05 LE over the last few days

. I’m up to a whopping 410miles already.

Based on all the great info here I’ve learned about and studied the brake issue thoroughly. Now that I finally have my hands on my truck I officially have an opinion (like that really matters)

. Based on experiences with several other vehicles where I’ve attempted to upgrade brake performance I have some first hand experience with a variety of pad compounds. I do know on the correct application, in the right circumstance, soft, sticky pads are good but most of the time they don’t mix well with real life.

My Titan has the new rotors and is (was) destined for ‘judder’. The dirty, soft, factory pads are great for generating very impressive 30-0 distances but are too grabby. As has been beat to death around the forums the heat and slight deposit left on the rotor after a stop will certainly cause warping in time. I have experienced this exact phenomenon on other vehicles (bikes and cars). Last night I put a set of ceramics on it. They feel better and have a much nicer initial grab at brake application. I’m hopeful the combination of proper torque, new rotors and good pads will keep me out of trouble.

There has been some discussion of Nissans new direction with ‘the fix’. It’s claimed they may drop the focus from the rotors and just do pads and hardware. I believe that may be just fine. The old OEM pads were so wrong, IMHO, that even the new rotors were destined to warp. As if that wasn’t speculative enough I think I got new rotors and ‘old’ pads as a result of supply issues on the assembly line. I am sure at some point they’ll come with the right pads too. Time will tell if I’m onto something or just blowing smoke. My recommendation? As ridiculous as this is, put new pads and correctly torque the wheels on your brand-new truck early or deal with trips to the stealer.

I’m interested in anyone else’s thoughts… Thanks for reading and I am loving my new truck! By far the nicest vehicle I have ever owned

. (White CC, 4wd, OR, BT, AB, roof, nav and bench).

Chris

I think you are right on with your assessment.

I still have the original 2004 setup that is being replaced in a week. When I got the truck I found it odd at how grabby the pads were and thought it would just go away as it broke in. For example, at a stop light if I am just creeping with a little pressure on the brakes it makes them chatter and vibrate. I have not had a car or truck do that before.

Obviously, heat is what is making the rotors warp. This combination of grabby pads and thin rotors, as you put it, is so wrong.

I think another truck maker had an issue with rotor warp that had a lot to do with the over/under torque on the wheels. That's a good point to mention.

Wake County Titan · 07-01-2005, 09:48 AM

It's all too confusing to me. I just want the darn things to work right and not think about the how and why.

schilcoa · 07-01-2005, 12:55 PM

I'm taking my 05 in to the dealer next week. They are going to replace the pads and order the "new" rotors. Not sure what is going to be different about them though. I'll ask when I drop it off.

Anyone know? Will they put ceramic pads on?

CJ3FLYR · 07-01-2005, 05:31 PM

My understanding is that with the ‘permanent fix’ the new pads are a very different compound, now if they’re technically called ceramic I don’t know. Schilcoa, in addition to rotors and pads they’ll put some hardware on the front brakes to help with the pedal feel. Wake County Titan, as the end user you’re correct, you shouldn’t have to know any of this. The brakes should work right without three dealer visits, special pads etc. Something you should pay attention to, especially on this truck, even after it’s fixed, is the lug torque. Make whoever rotates or installs tires use a torque wrench!
Chris