[Corndog]

Hi all! I need some help!

I have a 2005 Nissan Titan LE Crew Cab 4x2 (standard height for two-wheel drive - not raised or lowered). I've had my brakes and rotors redone four times including the "final fix" twice from the dealership. I also simply lived with the vibration for probably 1/3 of the time I've owned my Titan, so I probably could have had this fix done six times. I have 63,000 miles on it and my 36 month warranty expires next month. I have 20" custom wheels (though they came with the truck when I bought it new) with Toyo 305/50R20 tires.

I need a permanent brake solution for a reasonable price. I'm really stressed out right now because I'm going to have to replace my tires ($1400) and my brakes/rotors in the next few months and I don't have this kind of money laying around!

My questions are:
1. What brakes/rotors do you recommend?
2. Do I need a big brake system since I have 20" wheels even though I don't have 4x4 mud/swamp large tires?
3. If I don't need a big brake system, do I need new calipers?
4. Do I really need to do all four wheels or just the front ones?

Any advice is appreciated. My biggest fear right now is buying an aftermarket system and having that fail too, but I also can't afford to drop $3,000 on brakes. Help!

 

[[email protected]]

It al depends, but I can tell you that chances are, you dont need to replace the calpers. Big brake kit is not necissary either, but it does look cool. If you go that route, expect to pay a whole heck of a lot of money. A good set of aftermarkets rotors and pads should do the trick. I like Powerslot or DBA, depending on what is available, but other brands do well. Some b-line or generic brand rotos dont have a proper clearing in the vents for heat dissapation, which can cause easy warping.

 

[Blackbeauty]

Well, first off, unless you bought an extended warranty, per Nissan:

The Nissan New Vehicle Limited Warranty’s coverage is 36 months/36,000 miles. Powertrain coverage is 5 years/60,000 miles.


so, you're already out of warranty. You don't get both. It's whichever comes first.

Brake pads, I'd recommend ceramic. Rotors, that's your option, but expense is the issue. Frozen rotors are good, but pricey. The most important thing to look at are one-piece rotors, not the two-piece units. Not that they're NOT good, although some are pure junk, but it's just one more worry you can avoid. The one-piece rotors are a lot less likely to come apart on you from repeated heating/cooling cycles.

 

[Corndog]

Well, first off, unless you bought an extended warranty, per Nissan:

The Nissan New Vehicle Limited Warranty’s coverage is 36 months/36,000 miles. Powertrain coverage is 5 years/60,000 miles.

Not true for the brakes. The warranty for brakes/rotors on '04 and '05 Titans is 36 months/unlimited mileage due to the recall. Trust me - I've had my pads and rotors done 4 times and I'm at 63,000 miles.

 

[Blackbeauty]

Well, that's good, at least. I didn't realize they extended the warranty. I've never needed them to fix mine. Just added ceramic pads and had mine turned at 27000. Fronts only. Rears are still like new.

 

[Corndog]

It al depends, but I can tell you that chances are, you dont need to replace the calpers. Big brake kit is not necissary either, but it does look cool. If you go that route, expect to pay a whole heck of a lot of money. A good set of aftermarkets rotors and pads should do the trick. I like Powerslot or DBA, depending on what is available, but other brands do well. Some b-line or generic brand rotos dont have a proper clearing in the vents for heat dissapation, which can cause easy warping.

If that is true, then I'm not freaked out so much....do I need to do all 4 or just the fronts? Keep in mind that my truck is only two-wheel drive.

 

[Corndog]

Well, that's good, at least. I didn't realize they extended the warranty. I've never needed them to fix mine. Just added ceramic pads and had mine turned at 27000. Fronts only. Rears are still like new.

That's good to know - that means that I probably only need to do my fronts. Can you tell me more about ceramic pads?

 

[Blackbeauty]

The ceramics aren't supposed to heat up the rotors as much as the semi-metallic pads. Therefore, less fade, won't warp the rotors, faster recovery after braking, longer wear life.... They also dust less than semi-mets. Well, let me say, they still dust, but it's not black and it's less noticable and it tends to not stick to the wheels as much as the s-m brake dust.

I put Akebono pads on my truck. And yes, I got them from Tire Rack, a site sponsor.

I've read good things about the EBC green pads, but everyone and their brother cancelled my order because of an interminable back order situation. So I went with Akebono and am very happy with them.

I believe Hawk also make ceramics for this truck.

 

[07cajuntitan]

I don't have them, but Stillen Sport Rotors are only about $250 a pair, and you can use the factory calipers with them.

http://www.stillen.com/product.asp?id=BPSPTROTR01&c=BR&year=2006&make=NISSAN&model=TITAN

Have to be better than stock - right?