Knocking When Braking

[blake2002Maxima]

Hello everyone! I am new to the club but have just bought my 3rd Maxima. I just purchased a 2002 SE with 85,xxx on it. When I hit the brakes I hear a knocking sound and can feel it in the peddle. It seems to do it more at slow speeds.

There are no ABS sensors on, no check engine light, just makes a funny knock with the brakes are depressed. The vehicle just had new tires put on before I bought it. It also seems to do it more contuniously when turning and applying the brakes under 20 miles an hour or so.

I read something about them not being OEM pads could cause a problem but I am not sure if they are or not.

I just moved and do not know any local mechaincs yet and am not wanting to go to a dealership just yet without doing my own research first.

Thanks alot and have a good one.

[allensteiner]

welcome to the club. maybe warped rotors? i have that problem on my non-nissan car.

[blake2002Maxima]

I do not believe it is warped rotors. They are smooth as well as at any speed there is not shaking or movement in the wheel.

I would also like to say that the knock comes only when the pedal is initially depressed and when depressed at low speeds and held there. Worse of course when turning and braking at the same time at low speeds. I have never dealt with a sound like that before.

Does not seem to be a ball joint, shaft, anything like that b/c when I turn and accelerate there is no noise, as well the noise only comes when braking. I have checked for grease and stuff under the wheel wells and other areas and there isint a spot of anything with a blown seal.

Thanks

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I had to remove some Auto zone brake pads from my 1995 Maxon the rear because they didnt fit well. I ended up using NissanOEM and they work fine.

I would do the cheap stuff first;

1)Use a brass brush and clean the brakes up with brake cleaner2)Maybe bleed the brakes and change out the fluid in the reservoir3) Make sure your caliper pins have the proper amount of grease4) Feel for looseness in the pads installed. Maybe somebody forgot to putthe shims on the pads when reinstalling5)Use a torque wrench to double check tension on all bolts6)Make sure you didnt break a stud on your wheel (lug nuts)7) Make sure your wheel bearings are not worn8) Make sure nothing is stuck in your tires or hung up under the car

[blake2002Maxima]

Thanks alot, this will give me a good start. It seems to be getting a little less loud. I will check it out this weekend and thanks again!

[maxhopper]

There is a support bracket on the passenger side drive axle. Check to see if it is bolted to the engine block. If it isn't, it will slap back and forth during braking and acceleration.