Here's the story:
I bought this 1998 QX4 only in the beginning of July, so I haven't had it long. When I got it, the brakes/pedal were great - felt nice, not overly tight, and no "pedal drop" or mushiness, no noises or other cues there's anything potentially wrong. Whenever I obtain a "new" auto, I also read the owner's manual and go through some of the repair manual (OK, I skim over this) info to learn if there are specfic things I should know... With the QX4, the only changes I noted off-hand were that the hand brake would cause the rear drums to "auto-adjust" and information about the 4wd/All-Mode use (since this is my first 4wd).
So, I began to use the hand brake regularly whenever parked. After several days of doing this, I noticed my brake pedal felt low. Sorry, that's all I can really say: it didn't really feel like a sponge, the truck stopped ok (maybe a little slower, but then it could be the longer travel made me feel like it was almost to the floor in comparison to what it was up to several days before), and no noises or other problems - the pedal simply had excess travel. Also, 'pumping' them didn't make them any better or any change at all. I first thought that I should just check the brakes; no biggie. Took it to multiple places (because I didn't want to do what I'm doing now and would've gladly paid someone) and they all said it was normal (and that the pedal change may be my imagination).
I still believed the pedal traveled too far, so I Googled for a bit and found that other Nissan owners had some kind of difficulty with longer pedal travel &/or mushy brakes after using their hand brakes as well. So, I took it to a place to have that checked. All they did, they said, was clean the rear brakes and adjust the hand brake. Since then, there's no change to the pedal and it didn't appear there was any difference to the hand brake (same # of clicks held/slowed it).
After that, I figured I'd just change the brakes and bleed it...wouldn't hurt, right? I started on the rear drums, jacking both rear wheels off the ground with chocks in front of and behind both front tires and jack stands placed. I made sure the hand brake was all the way down. Once the tires were off, I was just looking at the drums and areas on the back of them for obvious leaks or problems and I noticed that neither wheel was turning. Thinking this could be the hand brake jammed up, I proceeded to remove the drums - using two 8mm bolts (the two that hold the rear driver side seat on
) because I could feel and see slight movement of the drums, couldn't get the adjuster 'clip' to release (to decrease it's tightness in order to relieve pressure from the shoes if they were hung up), and using the hammer didn't help.Once the drums were off, I inspected again for leaks and problems. I saw brake dust everywhere, a very small amount of gunk around the passenger side cylinder (so I'll replace both), the shoes toward the front of the truck (on both sides) were worn twice as much as those toward the rear of the truck, and the hand brake cable was 'bunched'.
...OK. Cylinders could be worn, causing possible air to enter the system and could potenially cause the shoes to wear unevenly. But wouldn't pumping the pedal when I was driving have made some kind of difference if air was in the line? A 'bunched' up hand brake line could potentialy be a 'stuck' line and cause the wheels not to turn. Correct? If not, please feel free to jump right in...
So, while thinking these things, I removed the springs/other hardware, shoes, and hand brake cable. This, now done to both sides, should remove any possible binding that may have been caused by any aforemention brake issues and the wheels should now turn. Correct? They don't. I have also put the automatic transmission shifter into neutral, although I've not been informed that this is needed if both rear wheels are jacked off the ground. Still no joy.
Now here's the final caveat: both of these wheels were definately turning in all this time I've been driving it - you know, in gear and going down the road - right up to two days ago when I parked it in the gravel/dirt/grass driveway knowing I'd be jacking it up soon. And there's been absolutely no sign/sound of either of them locking up during the 'in a small town' trips, out on the dirt/gravel where we live, or on major interstates at up to 70mph. Just the feel of a brake pedal traveling toward the floor too much.
Which leads me to: please, please, please. Any sugestions wil be accepted - even if you ask me to replace everything (new) that I have on (shoes, cylinders, springs, and clean hardware and drums), bleed it, and drive it again to be certain they still turn going down the road (which may be my next step if no other 'checks' are provided by forum members). I even have the front pads and hardware, but haven't gotten around to removing anything (just figured if I'm gonna do all this...). But if there's something I can check while it's still jacked up (even noob mistakes - oh yeah, I am a noob), I am more than willing to read your comments and check/recheck whatever I can.
Again, thanks for any assistance.
