non brembo brakes

[Danica]

anyone with brake probs on 350z? have a 04 350z w/25k miles...just go back from the dealer - said i needed NEW rotors - not they need to be recut - i need new ones. pads need to be replaced also....brake light was coming on - took it in for that, occasional squeaking - nothing else....never heard of such a thing at 25k! dealer tech was an idiot, said hes not that familiar with nissans (duh - nissan dealer), tried blaming it on my after market tires/rims but those were just put on 10 days ago....told him, look, just because im a "girl/lady", doesnt make me brain-dead when it comes to cars...ive had enuf of them to know the basics and needing brand new rotors at 25k makes no sense to me whatsoever -- hard for me to even believe i should need pads.

[jabber87]

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anyone with brake probs on 350z? have a 04 350z w/25k miles...just go back from the dealer - said i needed NEW rotors - not they need to be recut - i need new ones. pads need to be replaced also....brake light was coming on - took it in for that, occasional squeaking - nothing else....never heard of such a thing at 25k! dealer tech was an idiot, said hes not that familiar with nissans (duh - nissan dealer), tried blaming it on my after market tires/rims but those were just put on 10 days ago....told him, look, just because im a "girl/lady", doesnt make me brain-dead when it comes to cars...ive had enuf of them to know the basics and needing brand new rotors at 25k makes no sense to me whatsoever -- hard for me to even believe i should need pads.

four sets of pads for a rotor is usually the limit, BUT you take into account what you have been doing with the car. Also not knowing the minimum thickness of the rotors, or the condition of them (grooved really bad, warped, etc) might also be an issue. I am fixing to get new rotors myself... not really looking forward to it cuz the rotors cost so much.

The biggest problems I have had is grooved discs (had them turned 2 times) and brake fade... but I use my Z for city and track stuff....

Just my two cents.

[BlackSmoke]

Danica, drive as far away from that dealership as possible. Find another one in a near by town and bring your husband/boyfriend/male friend when you go. You right they will take advantage of you if they think they can. If you need rotors I will sell my brand new Z tomorrow. There is no way the rotors are out at 25k miles. I just got off the phone with a friend how has a speed shop in Louisiana and he said there could be a defect to definitely go to another dealership and ask to speak to a certified nissan mechanic, with a male figure along with you. Good luck I hope this is an isolated incident and nissan picks up the tab for you.

[Danica]

BlackSmoke.....Yes, I made arrangements at another dealership on Monday - I find this so ridiculous - cant even imagine. Way back in the day, in '76 I bought my 1st car - a 70 Cutlass SS - that was the only car out of the 17 that I owned since that I had to put rotors on - and probably due to the fact that I was a 16yr old kid driving it and I used to let my guy friends race it....lol! But new rotors at 25k with normal everyday driving is unbelieveable - and i researched this and found a defect in the 04 Q35 as well as some 04 350z's - man, what a mess! Thanks for your words!

[Danica]

Jabber87............I think maybe you misunderstood - I have not had 4 sets of pads put on - in fact - they are the original brake pads (car only has 25k miles). These are the factory installed rotors/pads that came on the car. I only drive 14 miles to/from work and normal pleasure driving....No racing, No track - just everyday stuff.

[BlackSmoke]

Your welcome. And you are right this so ridiculous, it makes my head hurt when they brag about how reliable the damn cars are and this is what we all have to hear. You know I have had people type a nice letter explaining the problem and send it to Nissan USA headquarters, but be stern in your letter and show disappointment and the dealership you went to and see if maybe something good can come out. Good luck and let us know what happens .

[jabber87]

Jabber87............I think maybe you misunderstood - I have not had 4 sets of pads put on - in fact - they are the original brake pads (car only has 25k miles). These are the factory installed rotors/pads that came on the car. I only drive 14 miles to/from work and normal pleasure driving....No racing, No track - just everyday stuff.

No, I did not misunderstand, just giving my history with my 03 since there was very little variation btwn the 03 and 04 cars.

It does sadden me, much like BlackSmoke, that you are having such an issue with this. Good luck and let us know what happens.

[Danica]

Jabber87...Oh, gotcha - I misunderstood - this whole thing is quite mind boggling to me and frustrating - will let you know what the outcome is!Thanks for your input....!!

[Danica]

Well, took the z to my local mechanic - ended up needing new rotors and pads - was told the rotors were 'dished'......Im fighting it with Nissan now -but the regional manager for the area here in northwest indana evidentally thinks im an idiot because im a female.......little does he know......i dont give up!

[TunerTrifecta]

Definitely don't let them try to take advantage of you for being female. An oil change place tried to pull that on one of my ex's while I was sitting right there--tried to sell her a $95 synthetic oil change in her 04 Jeep Grand Cherokee and told her "it'll run a lot better and faster with synthetic in it". I guess he figured I wasn't a car guy since I had a polo on, lol. I told him to look up the service records and look at what was always put in it, and to continue to put the dino oil in it.

Sorry to get off topic, but like I said, definitely don't let them try to pull that crap. Such a sad world we live in now-a-days.

[BlackSmoke]

I would believe a letter from your attorney to that dealership and the head regional manger will probably make them see you are a bit more serious than the average run about peron. Good luck, dont give up, because those dealerships care nothing about the customer if you are not careful.

[RobSF]

Danica,

Ever get this resolved with Nissan? I'm having the same issue with my 2005 350Z, and only 19k miles.

[alsz]

I changed my front pads at 15K, they were pretty worn and I have non-brembo brakes. If you change your pads prior to damage being done to the rotor, your rotor will last longer. If you subject your rotors to continuous heat from stop and go traffic, heavy braking from high speeds, etc, their life will diminish drastically. Regular pad inspection is a must. Changing the pads yourself takes about 10 minutes each. All you need is a wrench and a c-clamp.

[RobSF]

Thanks alsz. I should have mentioned in my post that I did NOT run the pads down to metal on metal. To be fair, most of my driving is stop and go (typical California driving). However, IMHO, with only 19k miles and 2 mm of pad left the rotors should not have to be replaced.

In the end, Nissan did the right thing and covered the cost of the rotors while I covered the cost of new pads.

[Danica]

No, actually never even received any more responeses from the area Nissan Rep. I went to my local (trusted) mechanic who changed the rotors and pads. I might also mention that my pads were not metal on metal, was told the rotors were "dished". I wasnt as lucky as RobSF - all expenses incurred were my responsibility! Good Luck, sorry for the delayed response - havent been on here in a while.

[alsz]

Hey Danica, do you have a picture of your car posted? Looks as though we have the same car & I would love to see it with those wheels. I am on the fence about new wheels since I do like the "stock" look.

[simplewon]

Napa sells high quality inexpensive oem style rotors and ceremic pads. The pad will prevent the ugly brake dust from coating the rims but reduced dust is a trade off for stopping power. Here is some great brake info
http://www.topbrakes.com/faq.php
http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

[Danica]

Oh wow - sorry havent been on here in awhile - let me see if i can dig up a pic for you

[Danica]

Ok, sorry thought i had more pics - send me your email address and I'll see what I can [email protected]