Terrible Brake Noise

[dave revell]

Hello all I'm new to the Foreman and was hoping for some advice.

I've owned several Nissans, and currently own a new 07 Toyota. None of those cars ever made any squealing brake noises unless the brakes had worn to the point of needing a pad change or the rotors needed turning. So when my 08 Versa Hatchback with 10,000 miles on it starting doing it I thought for sure something was wrong. But the "dealers" are giving me a line about the fact that they're metallic brakes and that's perfectly normal....yada yada yada! Well frankly I think they're shoveling themselves a load of manure on me. I've tried cleaning them, and using a special fluid on them and nothing stops the dreaded dying animal squealing noises.

So if the dealers are in denial that something is wrong with Nissan's brakes what can we do? I doubt the lemon law applies to this and I don't have the time to constantly fight with the dealership to have the brakes replaced under warranty so I can get another 10k before worrying again. Has anyone tried changing to different brake pads? Maybe Ceramic?

Thanks for the help.
Modified by dave revell at 3:02 PM 6/2/2009

[Francesco]

If it is from the rear brakes there is a service bulletin issued in Feb 2009 that might help. NTB09-008 is the service bulletin.

Frank

2009 Versa Sedan MT-6 with 3150 mi

[dave revell]

As far as I can tell it's the front brakes and not the rear. Though other then with my ears I'm not sure how to know 100%?

Also that bulletin is very strange. It's saying the noise only occurs when you do steps 1-3 and not anytime else.

[Francesco]

One thought is to gently pull up the emergency brake handle while holding the release push button depressed and see if the noise occurs. Try this on a desolate secondary road where there is no traffic. If the noise occurs then it is the rear drums; if not, then it probably is the front disks. I assume there is plenty of pad material on the front pads and the wear indicators are not the source of the noise due to excessive pad wear.

Frank

[dave revell]

One thought is to gently pull up the emergency brake handle while holding the release push button depressed and see if the noise occurs. Try this on a desolate secondary road where there is no traffic. If the noise occurs then it is the rear drums; if not, then it probably is the front disks. I assume there is plenty of pad material on the front pads and the wear indicators are not the source of the noise due to excessive pad wear.

Frank

I did that exact thing on the way home yesterday. I almost forgot I had an E-brake since I never need to use one where I live. Needless to say it mad no noise so now I know it's the front brakes only.

[biggie]

About any other pads should remove the noise. The stock pads are metallic and cheap, thus noise.

I wouldn't go all the way to ceramic, just some better ones, like Hawk HPS.

[dave revell]

Ok I need to back up what I said. I tried the Ebrake again today and sure enough I heard the noise. Though it's not as loud as the front brakes. SO my guess is that all four wheels are making the noise. What does the Tech Bulletin say exactly about the rear brakes?

[BigBodyV]

Yeah my versa those it at night only lol its werid but when i took it to the dealer they said they were not squeeking.

[dave revell]

Ok dumb question. Do Drum brakes in the rear use the same pads as the disc brakes in the front?

Also what does the Technical Bulletin say about the rear brake issue?