Nissan Quest Brakes
On my 2004 Quest SL, I just replaced the front rotors and pads, and the rear pads. The work was done at 33k miles. My van had the steering pulsating problem during braking for the last couple years. I never had the dealer turn the rotors because think the problem will just come back (especially after reading other owners experience).
I ended up getting the Frozen rotors for the front and Raybestos QS ceramic pads for all fours. With the new rotors, the pulsating problem is no longer there. I have put only 1k on it so far, so I will let you guys know how it is as I accumulate more miles. One thing that surprised me the most was the rear pads did wear down much more than the front. The rear had less than 1/8" on it and the warning tabs broke off. The front had a little over 1/4" on them. Got it done just in time.
I was wondering if other Quest owners had to do a brake job at around 33k or maybe earlier than that.
I ended up getting the Frozen rotors for the front and Raybestos QS ceramic pads for all fours. With the new rotors, the pulsating problem is no longer there. I have put only 1k on it so far, so I will let you guys know how it is as I accumulate more miles. One thing that surprised me the most was the rear pads did wear down much more than the front. The rear had less than 1/8" on it and the warning tabs broke off. The front had a little over 1/4" on them. Got it done just in time.
I was wondering if other Quest owners had to do a brake job at around 33k or maybe earlier than that.
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The Quest has electroic brake distributin (EBD). During hard braking, the computer applies the forces over each brake to avoid the nose dive effect and allows the van to stop shorter. This also means that your rear brakes are working more than in a car without EBD. So the rear brakes will wear quicker than you are used to. Also the rear rotors in the 2004 are smaller than the 2005.
As for dtownfb's situation...you have a very nice dealer and you should stick with them.
I'm going to post again with an update and see if anyone has any ideas...
I bought brand new a 2004 Nissan Quest. At just over 6,000 miles I had to have the rotors machined due to steering wheel shake. It went fine until 29,000 miles when it started again and I had to have the rotors machined (turned) and brake pads replaced. Since that 29,000 miles it has been a constant repeat of warped rotors.
Every 5,000 - 8,000 miles I start having steering wheel shake again and the rotors must be turned. At about 6,000 miles ago I had the front rotors replaced and at about 4,500 the problem started again where I just now had it repaired again.
The vehicle has 48,000 miles on it. In all fairness I must say the dealer and Nissan has eaten some costs in repairs but the problem is that the problem keeps coming back.
They even flew an engineer down this last time and he looked at the vehicle. He checked all aspects of the brakes and everything was within specifications and working correctly except the rotors had to be machined again.
He was unable to explain why the rotors keep needing to be machined.
My thoughts are if everything in the brake system is at factory specifications as verified by a Nissan Engineer then it must be a design problem? They claim they have no history of this being a problem in the 2004 quest and that it meets government standards for safety and so on.
I'm not a mechanic but it seems to me for the rotors to warp and to need machining it must be heat causing the rotors to warp. The only thing that can cause heat is for the pads to be pushing on the rotors such as while braking. Since the pads have been verified as running as they should and not draging so the only time heat can be generated is when I brake. I drive with just one foot, not both and I have even tried driving with the thought in mind not to use the brakes. I also assume that it is not just the heat but the cooling back down of the brakes is when they begin to warp? So I do not even wash the van when I've been driving it, only when it cools down although going through a rain storm is a different story...
It's been suggested non Nissan pads and rotors as a possible solution but that's not a manufacturer solution which I've been pushing for.
If only a few other 2004 quests are having this problem then perhaps I have a lemon although all of the braking system is within specifications so I wouldn't think so based on that.
So it still points to a design problem from the information that I have but why are not more people complaining or are people just living with steering wheel shake? How did I go from 6,000 miles to 29,000 and now I can't go hardly 6 or 7,000 miles before a problem?
It's been suggested the brakes on the 2004 quest are undersize for the vehicle... Did they improve that for the 2007 Quest?
Any ideas or comments are welcome... Thanks... Gary
Actually, yes. My folks traded in an '04 on an '07, and the rotors are substantially larger.
If you want to keep your '04, I would buy some slotted Brembo rotors and new pads all around, then call it a day. Minivans are notorious brake eaters.
Anyway...to answer your question, yes I think the brakes are probably undersized for the application. Sure they will stop the van...but they wont last while doing it. Is it a design flaw...more like a compromise. The stock brakes on my Porsche are super...but expensive and pads wear quickly...Is it a design flaw?
Braking is such a subjective thing, if the engineer drove your car for 8K miles would he warp the rotors? possibly not...maybe it does have something to do with your driving style. I have to say I am suprized Nissan has stood by you this long , a 2004 I would have thought they would try to bug off of.
I had not heard the 2007's brakes were larger. Are they retrofittable?
Please keep us appraised of how it turns out.
Tom
Good luck and keep us informed.
The engineer who looked at it couldn't offer an explanation as to why they warp as he said the van was within factory specifications except for them being warped.
Thanks... Gary
I'm not suffering alone, many people at Nissan really hate hearing from me I'm sure...
While it has been some work and many trips to the shop they have covered most of the costs so far which is a plus. Sending an engineer was a surprise. The dealer has done a good job in the work they have done and ate some costs themselves. Still they can only fix something as to how it was designed and only with their parts...
If the 2007 does have larger rotors it would seem someone at the company identified the need for them and made the change.
I wish I could identify how many people are having this problem...
If I remember right, the Quest and Armada had issues with the rear rotors. And they are definitely larger now.
My only issue I have is the stupid rattle in the driver side sliding door. I believe that has to do with one of the TSBs. right now the door does not fully seat. It does not trigger any flashing lights but it leaves a slight opening between it and the driver door. In cold weather I get lots of rattling and excessive air. Also I had the door freeze shut because too much moisture gets in. I'll have them address it at the next oil change. I've noticed the service manager is more sympathetic to my problems then they were a couple of years.
Anway, we love our Quest and would buy another (SE) in a heartbeat. We haven't had any 'real' issues.
I really like our 2004 Quest S except for the driver sliding door rattle. that has to do with the door being slightly out of alignment. I'll get that taken care of next month when I get the oil changed.
We just replaced them on an 05 Accord at 40,000. It looks like my Subaru will need them before 40,000. So Nissan is winning.
I hope you get some resolution Gary. I think I'm going to just bite it and buy the drilled slotted rotors and hope it keeps them cool enough to stop the warpage.
Dealer told me that if they need another rusurface and it would leave them too thin they will replae at no cost. The only time they will charge me if the brakes are gone too.
Note: I only replaced with Frozen rotors in the front and left the factory rotors in the rear. All 4 pads were replaced with Raybestos ceramic QS. If you decide to replace the front rotors yourself, make sure you have an impact wrench!!
Nissan Brake
Gord3
As for the dealer covering the brakes under warranty. I highly doubt it unless you have a very very very nice dealer. It's all considered regular maintenance item. Most manufacturers will pretty much cover everthing the first 12 months of a new vehicle. There is no TSB or recall on our brakes, so the owner will have to pay for the brake job. As to 'design error', the dealers favorite saying is 'it's within Nissan's spec'.
Mark
2004 Quest SE
The first few days of getting them, they felt a bit soft but that's with any new brake job because they need to be bedded in properly. After that, it has been good.
There's an adjuster plug that you remove and then you shorten the adjuster to make more room (clearance) between the brake shoe and the drum. Then you install two bolts into the two holes in the drum. Tighten them gradually. The bolts are described as M8 x 1.25, whatever that means. That's all it says but my guess is that tightening the bolts will pop off the drum. Other people (on other cars) just pound on the drum with a rubber hammer to work it free.
Let me know if you need pics and I'll try to get my scanner working.
Steve, visiting host
Tom
' 06 in NY
We are getting discouraged with what is our second Nissan new vehicle purchase. Don't think I'll be buying another one any time soon.
Original: overheated under 4000 km (no charge)
2nd set: overheated under 8000 km (50% discount of $340)
3rd set: overheated under 3000 km (will see the update)
I only put 17,000 km on this van. If Nissan need me to pay anymore $$, i will never buy any Nissan Vehicle. Also, I will order a set of Frozen rotors and see how long it could last.
can u give me some update on the frozen rotors? I am about to purchase a complete set of frozen rotors + Hawk pads!
Steve, visiting host
Does anyone know if the replacement rotors are of better material or should I expect more brake problems in the future? The dealership said that the rotors were the upgraded ones, I am hoping so. Thanks.
My dodge Ram 1500 must weight more then my Quest and so does my Burban... and both of those have drums in the back.
I have had four service of the brakes on my 06, three new sets of rotors in 22K miles and I am due for another as the shake is back. All have been covered by the dealer (great dealer) and each time interestingly enough they have found the wheels out of balance as well. I am now starting to suspect it may be unbalanced hubs that make the tires go awry and then unbalence the rotors that then heat up ununiformly.. Its just a guess but anything is possible.
But, lets not let Nissan off the hook by alowing them the excuse that its is too heavy a vehicle to stop, they are big enough tires (I have 15") to put big enough rotors if thats whats needed and there are heavier vehicles out there with much less sophisticated systems that do not have these problems.
As a side note and to illustrate the dangers of such arguments, early on I complained about a noise in the passengers sliding door when going over ripples or rumble strips, the dealers body guy looked at it, we went for a test ride and he heard it. He felt it was more dangerous to pull the inner door skin off to see if there was a problem inside then to just live with it. he said "its a big box you know and its gonna have some rattles" In a moment of weakness I agreed with him and now that the noise has become more noticeable... he pulls that arguement out of his hat saying " You know , we talked about that..." Untill that door falls off or doesn't latch I have lost that battle...