Can't figure out brake pads!!

[Lord Umoja]

Yeah sounds stupid right?

This is the first time I'm doing the brakes on my 1993 240 Convertible. I ordered brakes from rock auto for a non-abs car and the pads are way too small for the calipers, like 1/2" too short so that won't lock into the pad/caliper bracket. I returned the pads and went to Advance Autoparts, same deal. The non-abs pads are way too short.

So, given the fact I have zero info on this car from the previous owner, what calipers might be on this thing? The rotors seem stock, and it's still rocking 4-lugs. Any help would be awesome. I'd like to finish this car up today. My mother-in-law needs an emergency car when she babysits my daughter since my wife and I are taking the main car.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Take a picture and post it here.
Here's how to post pics if you don't know: http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/upload ... imgur.html
Could be Q45 brakes or something. Are you sure the car doesn't have ABS?

[Lord Umoja]

PapaSmurf. It's an SE Convertible. I'm sure there is no ABS because there is no light on and it locks the brakes hard if I slam them.

[Lord Umoja]

Stock pad on bottom mystery pad on top:


Stock pad on top of mystery pad, note mounting tabs:

[Lord Umoja]

Caliper top:

[centralcoaster33]

Yeah, you can't install those new pads. They won't stay in their slots because they're too short. If you need it right away, then take your used pad over to the parts store and have them pull a few different pads for different models out and match those up to your used pads. You could have S14 calipers, or ABS calipers, or a variety of other options. I think the best bet is the s13 ABS caliper. So maybe start there.

[Lord Umoja]

Centralcoaster,

Yeah I know they don't fit in the caliper. I've got the old pad with me now and I'm returning the new pads tonight so I'll let y'all know what it turns out to be. I'm thinking S13 ABS calipers on a non-ABS car or possibly Q45 calipers? I mean it looked OEM under there so I have no clue. But this car was previously crashed so I have zero clue what was done to it before anyway.

Now I feel bad for swearing at the guy on rock auto. Btw anyone want a set of stock front pads Guardian/OneSource Semi-Metalic? Lol

[Lord Umoja]

So I won't be able to get to the parts store for a few days. My wife just delivered our son earlier this morning.

[centralcoaster33]

[RickBlaine]

Congratulations on your new son!!!!

For years, many previous owners do an ABS delete for whatever their reasons (weight saving, drifting, etc). So you may have ABS brake calipers but no ABS when you slam on the brakes.

You can look under the hood to see the brake lines and the ABS controller- if it was bypassed or simply removed.

But for fail safe thinking, agree to just take the old pads in and let the parts guy hunt- starting with the ABS brake pads and then the Nissan upgraded ones. You will be kinda busy for the next 18 years, so you gotta be efficient.

Congrats again!

[Lord Umoja]

Rick,

Looking at the brake master cylinder, I'm seeing 3 lines coming out so according the to FSM, it should be a non-ABS car.

That said, they may be releasing my son from the NICU soon so he might get discharged the same day as my wife. Once we are all home I'll have some time to get these brakes figured out so we have a spare car again.

[Lord Umoja]

Got the right brakes. Finally.

ABS calipers on a non-ABS car. Now to get garage time and figure out if I'm screwed using the non-ABS rotors with ABS calipers.

[centralcoaster33]

The rotors should have a slight difference in thickness, but not offset or diameter iirc. So, you could use them.

[Lord Umoja]

So non-ABS front rotors are 0.2" smaller in diameter and 0.01" thicker than ABS rotors. This looks like they will work, but I will not have the thin "lip" on the outside of the rotor as it wears. The thickness does not seem to be an issue as they went together fine.

That being said, I have one more wheel to finish up (passenger rear) and then I can bed the brakes in and head out for an inspection. If I encounter issues I'll let y'all know.