R50 new pads/rotors + bearings?

[jscricca]

My ABS, VDC, and Brake light have been coming on intermittently lately. I've topped off the fluid and all looks good. The pads look like they have another ~10k left but I have a feeling these lights are due to the low pads.

Regardless I think its time to replace these weak brakes. I've always hated how squishy and weak the R50 brakes can be, especially with a truck loaded with 500lbs of gear and people.

I usually get Centric rotors and a high quality sport pad on previous vehicles, but this will be my first SUV brake job.

I'm trying to evaluate the following options and would love feedback from anyone who's bought these kits. I'm leaning towards EBC because of their reputation, but not sure I should drop $210 on the Greenstuff kit.


+ Powerstop Z36 - $160- https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 52&jsn=430
+ EBC Stage 1 - $160 - https://www.shopebcbrakes.com/EBC-Stage ... t/p21?sku=
+ EBC Greenstuf- $208- https://www.shopebcbrakes.com/EBC-Stage ... 99694?sku=


My Pathfinder has 130k miles on it and I'm wondering if I should replace all the front hub/wheel bearings and components or just re-grease the existing. I've never owned or replaced a hub/wheel bearings so this is new territory for me. I think I can get replacements for $40 so it might be worth it while I'm in there. Is it overkill or a good idea?

[R50JR]

I just did this job exactly 2 days ago. I replaced all bearings, races, and seals. The job was very easy, just took a bit of time to get everything taken apart. I bought all of the bearing parts on rockauto. Everything is Timken brand and I paid about $62 with shipping. For the brakes I did get the Powerstop z36 kit, although I think the z26 kit would have been good enough. The link you provided for the Powerstop kit is not for the z36 ($185 + shipping), it's for the z26 ($160+ shipping). I honestly cannot comment on the performance as I rarely drive my pathfinder, but I'm sure any new anything is better than worn parts. That said, I have some parts that you may be interested in; I have a brand new and complete z26 kit for the 98-04 path/qx4 and I also have 2 new Timken #710072 seals.

I forgot to mention this is a very good write up for the bearings:
front-wheel-bearings-howto-t595528.html

[yeldogt]

My current 02 has just past 100k -- have owned two others that I sold after 150k. never had to replace the bearings -- it's one of those check and replace kind of things. It can't hurt and they re not all that expensive.

The brakes are the one item that I don't like on the Pathfinder -- I hate rear drum brakes and the pathfinders are especially a pain.

My last set for the fronts were Zimmermann and OE pads -- I have had good luck with the OE pads. I bought my first Pathfinder new -- and it got OE pads. It went 150k on the OE rotors and two pad sets. The other two were bought used and even though they both had around 65k -- they had replacement brakes (including rotors) -- the one had the rears as well?

On both of the used I went Zimmermann and OE pads -- both had horrible brakes when I bought them. Could not tell brand.

Make sure to check the rear cylinders -- it's a weak spot.

[AlanAZ]

I used Raybestos 'Professional grade' rotors, quite affordable (Rockauto) for the quality, if you live somewhere where they salt the roads, they are also available with anti-corrosion coatings. And the best Raybestos pads available (Raybestos Advanced Tech ceramic pads, ATD855C.) Braking is smooth, quiet, linear, and when needed outstanding stopping ability, feels twice as good as previous (whatever pads BrakeMaster uses & original rotors); pad wear and dusting is not great, but more than acceptable for the stopping ability, no visible wear on rotors.

[attofarad]

I used the Greenstuff one time. They braked well, but didn't last all that long (30k maybe). They also wore the (new) rotors more than I have seen from other pads. The Greenstuff used on my Passat didn't do that, and they stopped well.