Need recommendation for Brake Pads (1996 J30, 114K)

[srini006]

Can anybody please make recommendations on changing brake pads.I have a 1996 J30 with 114 K miles. I have been told by Tiresplus center that I need to change my brake pads. However I don't get any sounds while applying brakes but my hand brake light is on all the time even when released.I don't want to spend more to go for the best ones. I called up few service centers (TiresPlus,Firestone, Midas, Meineke) and everybody gave a different price and I'm not sure if I can go for the cheapest.

I would really appreciate any recommendations.

[Ebbtide]

Do you plan on doing the job yourself?

I changed mine (rotors and pads) a couple months ago with mid ranged parts from a chain store. I did not have any scraping or squealing but they were down to 1mm of pad on some. Total was around $250.00, used about three tools, and took a couple hours.

If you go to a chain (midas etc) you will at least get a warranty. I can't tell you which one to use, but they seem to use the cheapest parts made.

Hope this helps

[srini006]

Ebb,

Thanks for the information. I would like to do it by myself if it doesn't require much expertise. I don't have any tools and I only do basic maintenance tasks by myself like checking/replacing the fuels , tire pressure etc.

Can you please give additional info for "do it yourself" brake pads or it is just worth getting done at the service center for someone like me.

Thanks in Advance

[yodawill2000]

Just swapping pads is a snap .Tale the calipers off.Loosen the brake fluid cap, clamp the old pad on the piston side and clamp the pistons down.take the old padds out, put the new one's in. Grease the caliper slide. reinstall the calipers.. drive away !!!

Just did mine yesterday..Oh yeah .. dont forget to tighten back the brake fluid res cap

[driverdriver]

Welcome to NICO!!!

Here's advice on brake parts.

If your changing rotors stick to Nissan OEM. They won't warp. The J is a heavy car and most aftermarket rotors will warp including the ones installed by the big chains.

As for pads go ceramic or semi-ceramic, like Thermoquiet. You'll notice the stopping power.

[coolyun_98]

how about bremboo replacement rotor? will it cause any problem?

[yodawill2000]

I went with Duralast and they seem to stop just fine,Although I do hear a bit of squeak at times.

[srini006]

Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions. I'll give some more information on my situation as I'm confused as what to do.

I got my front brake pads replaced in 10/03 at 81 K miles. I called up Infiniti of Memphis where I got the service done and they mentioned the pads may have life upto 50,000 miles depending on several conditions. One thing I neglected and was not sure about was when the brake warning light is on all the time with the engine on. I looked in the manual and there are two different signs at same place. one for hand brake still applied warning (brake word - that's what I get all the time) and the other for low brake fluid warning (different symbol). I checked on brake fluid yesterday and it's almost to the min. level. I'll add some brake fluid today.

I tested my hand brake by having it on,in drive and giving some gas and the car moves forward a little but I don't get any noise when applying brakes. So I'm not sure if I have to replace my brake pads. Even if I have to replace them I'm planning on doing it myself (need to buy the tools as I don't have any).

Once again, thanks for all your valuable comments & suggestions.

[driverdriver]

how about bremboo replacement rotor? will it cause any problem?

There good as long as its genuine Brembo(no knock offs). Someone who use to frequent this forum before he go rid of his J had them. He loved them.

[Ebbtide]

Ebb,

Thanks for the information. I would like to do it by myself if it doesn't require much expertise. I don't have any tools and I only do basic maintenance tasks by myself like checking/replacing the fuels , tire pressure etc.

Can you please give additional info for "do it yourself" brake pads or it is just worth getting done at the service center for someone like me.

Thanks in Advance

If you have never done brakes before, I suggest getting someone who has to help you. It is very simple, but there are a few tricks to make the job go easy. If you look around on the web there are detailed instruction on how to do a brake job, and the J30 is no different that most other cars. I had one specific to the J30 but can't find it. Hopefully some will respond with a link to that page and you can download it.

[yodawill2000]

Only tool you will need is a 19mm Socket to take the two Caliper mount bolts out.

And a clamp of some sort if you retract the pistons manually like I do instead of bleeding fluid.I might add that after I installed the new pads I had to suck some of the fluid out of the res. It went way over the max mark.I added some fluid a few weeks ago as the warning light came on.
Modified by yodawill2000 at 8:22 AM 11/21/2007

[Ebbtide]

Only tool you will need is a 19mm Socket to take the two Caliper mount bolts out.

And a clamp of some sort if you retract the pistons manually like I do instead of bleeding fluid.I might add that after I installed the new pads I had to suck some of the fluid out of the res. It went way over the max mark.I added some fluid a few weeks ago as the warning light came on.

Modified by yodawill2000 at 6:40 AM 11/21/2007

And just to ad to that, you could loosen the bleeder screw when you retract the piston as not to force old dirty fluid back into the system. I have heard the dirty fluid can cause problems with the ABS system.

If Infiniti replaced your fluid in 03' it should be fine not to bleed the entire system (though it is recommended).

[yodawill2000]

Good point Ebb.I need to do a complete bleed.

[Victor]

The parking brake on light lit may be because the parking brake really isn't released all the way. While pulling on the brake release stick your toe under the parking brake pedal and push upwards. If it moves and the light goes out you have a sticky parking brake system. If someone knows how to fix it permanently let me know. Could be some lube in the right places might fix it.