Brake Pads!

[abelinkin1988]

I have 23K miles on my car and I was thinking if someone knew what brake pads were recommended and when to change the brake pads? Currently I'm feeling really bad for my altima, sounds like i need to change my brake pads : \ but i don't have much knowledge with that.

[TameRacingDriver]

Depends on your driving habits and how bad you beat on them. They should let you know during your normal service (dealer or not). If they don't, I would suggest a change. Most brakes squeek when they need a change. Don't confuse this with squeeking due to break dust. This will be constant. This will be followed by a grinding noise if ignored. At this point, you have completely worn down the pads and are digging directly into the rotors.

But, if it "sounds like" they need a change. It is probably over due. Just hope you don't have to scrap the rotors. That's where the real money is.

[marlin29311]

Your brakes at 23k are probably fine - brakes generally should last about 40k (all depending on driving habits though...).

When they're ready to go, they make a nice loud screeching sound everytime you stop.

If you are worried, take it to your dealer or another auto shop to tell you how much pad is left.

[abelinkin1988]

ok thanks a lot guys, i'll get to the dealer asap.

Edit: wait, you guys know a site where i can buy brake pads or at least see a price so i have an idea of how much they should cost? Maybe rotors as well.
Modified by abelinkin1988 at 4:13 PM 2/6/2009

[zilla19]

http://www.stillen.com/product...LTIMA

[abelinkin1988]

which brake pads fit the altima coupe? any??? http://www.stillen.com/product...&c=BR

[zilla19]

Those are brakes for Altima coupes.

[08altima35]

you guys say go to the dealer? i saypull a front wheel and remove a caliper and look to see if your pads are worn down to the point they would need replacement.

[marlin29311]

you guys say go to the dealer? i saypull a front wheel and remove a caliper and look to see if your pads are worn down to the point they would need replacement.

I agree, but not everyone likes to go monkeying around with their cars...some people aren't comfortable removing a caliper and looking at the pads if they don't know what they're looking for...

[maxentropy]

I have 23K miles on my car and I was thinking if someone knew what brake pads were recommended and when to change the brake pads? Currently I'm feeling really bad for my altima, sounds like i need to change my brake pads : \ but i don't have much knowledge with that.

there is a bulletin for our brake pads and front calipers. go to your dealership and let them know your brakes are "squeeky". mention that you heard about a bulletin for bad brake pads and calipers and that you want them replaced.

they are obliged to do this free of charge if they can "re-create" the squeeking. if they say its not squeeking fight it and tell them you will write into their customer service center if they don't fix it.

[07wHiTE 3.5SE 6sPD]

you actually don't have to take off the caliper...just remove the wheel and take a flashlight then look from an angle into the caliper to see how much meat is still left on the pads, you can use the oem sensor (metal piece that touches the inside of the rotor that causes the squeaking alerting you of low brake pad life) for a reference to see how far away it is from touching the rotor giving you an estimate as to how much miles you may have remaining on the pads, if they are touching already time for a replacement... which should be indicated by loud squeaks whenever you apply the brake.

[abelinkin1988]

Thanks for the input guys, the noise was a grinding noise, not squeaking. And i knew definetly that i needed brake change, ASAP. so what do I do on a staturday 2:00pm?

So what i did was went to Pep Boys (They only have ProSmart brake pads, the cheap **** for $45) bought brake pads. then i went to a friends place and changed right there. I think now i need to go somewhere and get the rotors re-......repolished? OH yeah, resurfice!

(What i conclude from this is that I need to change brake pads every 23,000 miles, give or take couple 100's. Well...i'm aware that the brand matters. So stock brakes i guess would be around 23k? We should get people posting when they had their first brake change. haha.