[python_one]

Just wanted to post some pictures and info on my 2008 NISSAN Titan pickup that had what could have been a CATASTROPHIC failure of the emergency brake system (parking brake for some).
We had just left the house and gotten about 1.5 blocks from the house in a 20 mph speed zone, when it sounded like the rear end was going out or a drive shaft (u-joint failure). But the ABS and slip lights came on immediately, sending my thoughts to brake failure. I got in the bed of the truck and had my wife drive slowly home while I listened. It sounded loud on the passenger side. After removal of the caliper and rotor, this is what fell out. Contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs about the problem, and told them that I had researched this on several Nissan Forums, and found it numerous times. They set up a case, and had me take the truck to a local Nissan dealership (and pay almost $100 to have them look at it and report to Consumer Affairs). I got a call this morning and the case manager said Nissan was not going to do anything as the truck was out of warranty (DUH, if it was in warranty, would I be calling CONSUMER RELATIONS?). The bill to fix the problem is $2400.00. I called the dealer and told them I would be picking up the truck. This is a SAFETY issue. If this had happened at highway speed, I suspect that the axle would have sheared, I would have possibly lost a wheel and control of the vehicle. Nissan can kiss my *** and I will not spend another penny with them. I will also post this everywhere I can to let people know what NISSAN thinks of their customers and their SAFETY.
The system came apart (I believe due to shoe material decomposing), and took out the shoes, retaining pins, anchor block, tone ring, abs sensor, backing plate, adjuster and shoe hardware. Will also need new seal, bearing retainer, rotor/drum, etc. when the axle is pulled to fix this. Over $700.00 in parts alone.

 

[JohnnyMac]

I had a $1200 issue with my Pathfinder that was just a hair out of warranty. It was the 5yr/50k on the drivetrain and I was at 5.1yr/32k. Nissan said that since I did my own work and didn't bring it to the stealership for maintenance/repairs, it wouldn't be covered. This was a known issue that had a TSB released on it, but their reasoning was that the stealership would have caught the problem had I brought it in. I beg to differ, but they hold all the cards when the warranty is up. Needless to say, I'm in the same boat as you. We were all set to buy a 2015 Infiniti QX60, but since this happened, we went with the Acura MDX. I love my Titan, but it's going to be the last Nissan I own. For a while anyway. Good Luck!

 

[speedracer7c]

You do know it's almost 2016 right?

 

[FishnAlaska]

This a common issue with the ebreaks, most guys that spend any time on the forum here know it (you even said your researched and found many instances of it happening), same as the rear diffs that go and the cracked manifolds. Since it is a wear item,and your truck is almost 8 years old (you never said how many miles), honestly no reason they should warranty it. That's like saying I didn't change the oil at the required interval and now my engines messed up, I'm blaming somebody else for my lack of maintenance.

 

[careyhamil]

Not really a safety issue. I pulled my left rear hub off and those pieces fell out. I cleaned it thoroughly and reinstalled hub and wheel. That was 30 k miles ago.

 

[python_one]

How could you possibly say that this is not a SAFETY issue! When you have brake shoes, casting material, and all the other STEEL parts loose and churning around inside of the rotor hat. I was going 15 miles an hour when mine came apart, and look at the damage it did. I believe that had I been on the highway doing speeds of 60-70 MPH, that either the rotor itself or the axle shaft would have had complete failure. REALLY!

 

[careyhamil]

Well, let's say I don't think it's the catastrophic safety issue that you described it to be. If left unresolved those pieces would do damage to the rear axel for sure. I think your being a little dramatic to drum up support for your personal disgust with Nissan.

 

[Timmyo2L]

had the same thing happen on my 05, the brake pad falls off the shoe and gets bound up in there. all 4 pads eventually fell off wasnt just one side. it does sound like the rear end explodes. i filed a complaint also because that is a safety issue, what if you had to stop and the pads fell off? mine didnt cause any damage besides having to get new shoes, i feel your pain

 

[FishnAlaska]

The ebrake pads are not the ones you use to stop, the ebrake is completely separate from the brakes you stop with. Not a safety issue...

this is the ebrake, it sits between the rotor and hub

this is the stopping brake it compresses around the outside of the rotor.

 

[python_one]

It IS a safety issue when the e-brake system comes apart at 70 MPH and the shoes become grenades (balling up steel and that steel has no where to go). If all the energy has nowhere to go, you don't think it will continue and destroy the rotor hat and end of the axle shaft?
I've been working as an A&P mechanic on commercial airliners for 40+ years, and can tell you what a catastrophic failure looks like, and this surely has the potential of being one.

 

[careyhamil]

Any one know how to tell there is a a&p mech around? He will tell you.
Again, you posted this up like it was a end of the world scenario with you and Nissan. I think you made more of it than it is. You write if this happened at 70mph, which it didn't, and the rest of your post is about Nissan not covering you on 8 year old wearable items.
The key word you used is potential.....under the right condition it may present itself as real safety threat.

Of course I flown in planes with single comm error faults, and blank screens in the ****pits that an a&p would probably have downed the plane for.

 

[aireegory]

This a common issue with the ebreaks

 

[python_one]

You must be a dumb-A$$ pilot. That's the way they talk about A&Ps until they save their A$$es a few times. You bunch of heroes that think they are something special ... What I stated I did for a living is the same as those that post that they have had their auto shops for 2 years, and they know EVERTHING about every vehicle. Maybe instead of running your mouth, you need to look at some of the other posts on the same subject (where the complete lining separates from the metal shoe frame.) Do your homework before you act like you know what you are talking about...

 

[Clancy]

10000% a safety issue. Since replacing my e-brake pads (they bounced around inside the rotor hub for 2 years before I figured out what the noise was) I have NEVER used the e-brake. Too me, it's like a parachute on an ultralight - one time use ONLY.

That Nissan has never fixed this is to me inexcusable. Ditto the front brakes on the 04-07 trucks. Piss-poor sad and cheap.

 

[FishnAlaska]

10000% a safety issue. Since replacing my e-brake pads (they bounced around inside the rotor hub for 2 years before I figured out what the noise was) I have NEVER used the e-brake. Too me, it's like a parachute on an ultralight - one time use ONLY.

That Nissan has never fixed this is to me inexcusable. Ditto the front brakes on the 04-07 trucks. Piss-poor sad and cheap.

So its a safety issue yet you let it bounce around inside your hub for 2 years without doing anything about it? Wow......

 

[esp6107]

I'm confused. Are all of you saying I should replace the parking brake shoes the next time I replace the brake pads?
Since I never use them they still look like new. Do they just die of old age and de-bond from the shoes?

Eddy
2006 Titan LE

 

[Pickle-Smooch]

Well, for piece of mind you might. How many miles are on your rig? I'm actually gonna change mine out once I hit 60k.

 

[LaserDad]

Any vehicle with internal e-brakes can have this issue. If you had been checking this regularly, like on a yearly vehicle inspection, you would have caught it before it destroyed itself. There isn't even any material left on the shoes, so this started long ago.

If you've ever worked on drum brakes, they can lock up from excessive dust clumping up, let alone parts debris. I've seen many rear axle seals fail because the e-brake was left partially on, or the cable freezes and doesn't release.

 

[mjw357]

I'm confused. Are all of you saying I should replace the parking brake shoes the next time I replace the brake pads?
Since I never use them they still look like new.

They would look new even if you used them every day. They don't wear out, they are static. You stop the vehicle and set the brakes, unless you forget and drive with them on.

Do they just die of old age and de-bond from the shoes?

Yes, the brake material is glued to the metal, rather than riveted. Cheap crap.