Versa Brakes

[canunez]

Versa S 07 9,000. A lot of work has been done to this Versa, The fuel pump has been replaced (waiting for parts) brakes adjusted as the brakes screech, but the noise is back.

This car gets me from A to B, but with a lot of hassle. The "new" car screeches when applying the brakes it does not start ( fuel pump ) I understand that this car is a new model and quirks have to be worked out.

BUT THE BRAKES...I was just told by the dealer and read online that NON ABS brakes screech, this is what they do. There is noway around it. I wish Nissan mentioned something about NON ABS brakes making noise.... or replaced the NON ABS brakes with ABS brakes, (if possible) If there was a statement somewhere, that said "IF YOU GET NON ABS BRAKES, THE CAR WILL SCREECH" I can't speak for anyone else, but I would buy ABS brakes when I purchased the car.

If anyone has any advice on the screeching brakes... please

[Ever Victorious]

It's a load of BS if they told you that screeching is normal on a V without ABS. I have owned both, and they are both very quiet rides under all circumstances.

zerothread?id=266580

This is a topic where this was recently discussed. Perhaps there will be useful information in there for you.

[RetiredTexans]

The Versa isn't a "new model". It is sold has been sold in Asia and the middle east for several years, at least, as the Tiida. Go do a WEB search on Tiida to discover the many wonderful accessories available to Tiida owners. We should be so lucky.

[BBISHOPPCM]

The "non-abs screech" is nothing but hogwash, the ABS models use the same calipers, pads, and rotors as the ABS models (only difference is a sensor) and the ABS module does not kick in until one wheel loses traction while braking. Noise is normal for all disc brakes at some point.

[weems84]

On our black versa S we've had that problem three times now. dealer resurfaced rear drums. Second time replaced shoes and resurfaced drums again. Third time did a cleaning. Guess what... it STILL screeches!!!

Solution, my dad thinks this car is not that great(for him at least) and will trade it in next year. My family will be down to 2 versas.

[canunez]

Does everyone think that best way to handle this, is to be tough with the service manager and request new brakes? See if that helps.. and if doesn't.

What is the cost or if it's even possible to get ABS put on the Versa? Does everyone think having the NON ABS is causing the screeching?

[Ever Victorious]

Once again, this has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not your car has ABS. There's no difference in the actual brake hardware.

You can be firm with the service manager, see if he will change out the brakes. This may or may not fix the problem.

Make sure if they replace your brake pads to clean them well and use anti-squeal compound on the pads to reduce the chance that this will happen.

[lain]

I remember when I first got my car I didn't ask about having or not having ABS breaks...so one day i was driving and my gf asked me so i said lets find out...I slammed on the breaks...she freaked out...and i said NOPE!

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for your gf not talking to you for the rest of the day if you attempt this.

[Ever Victorious]

Oh yeah... also forgot... with respect to refitting ABS after the fact: forget about it. You'd have to get wheel sensors, change out your BCM, get the ABS control unit, etc. etc... it's WAY cheaper and easier to just buy the car with ABS in the first place. I do not know of a single person on any car forum I have been on who has actually taken the effort to refit ABS, it's just been too big of a hassle.

[cl76]

Try pntang's suggestion in the thread Ever Victorious mentioned: zerothread?id=266580

Go to an empty parking lot, put your car in reverse, accelerate then brake. Repeat several times. Mine still screeches but it's a lot softer, and it screeches a lot less.

And BBISHOPPCM, some noise may be normal but *not* the shrieking made by my and others' Versas. The evil me wishes your Versa's brakes are afflicted with the screeching we're experiencing so you'll empathize. It's like being told "It's normal for mufflers to make noise" when people are reporting a defective, abnormally noisy muffler.

[idunno22221]

yeah..i've had my versa worked on 7 times for my brakes! i have had EVERYTHING replaced...and guess what..they still squeak. i work at a nissan dealership and i'm pretty tight with the techs and the service manager and they don't know what to do..they called our nissan rep to ask him and he doesnt know either..so i'm not sure whats going on with it right now hah

[canunez]

So here we go again.. Took the car back in to the shop. They replaced the fuel pump, and mentioned the brakes.

They resurfaced the front rotators and replaced the front brake pads.

So two weeks have passed and everything is good. This weekend we took a two hour drive, no traffic just tolls. When coming to a slow stop at the tolls, the back brakes screeched like a bus.

At first I thought it was a bus in the other lane. Once we hit the city it was very clear the noise was from our Versa.

Here is my plan.. tell me what you all think. First call the Nissan Customer Service.. complain and just have on record that I have taken the car back well over 3 times to have the brakes, adjusted, changed.. etc.

Then after that call, I will call the dealer ( not where I purchased the call, but where I have been taking it all along ) And demand all the brakes to be changed and mentioned that the car is a possible lemon.

I have been very anxious to change and add things to the car ( stereo, rims, tires ) but I am afraid that this car just will not stop causing brake noise.

I understand that brakes make noise.. but every stop, all the time, even after 2 hours of driving, it's unreal.

[BBISHOPPCM]

Ok, here's what's going on; You must have some cheap, metallic pads, or you're not breaking in the new pads properly. Read the manual, follow the break-in instructions after having new pads installed, or buy your own pads (a softer material, non-metallic) and the noise will disappear. Squeeling disc brakes is not necessarily a defect, just cheap pads. Or high-quality metallic racing pads...

[canunez]

To follow up.. the brakes just continue to get louder and louder.... Waiting for Nissan Corp. to give me my options. A new car is NOT suppose to cause this many issues or be in the shop for the same issue over 3 times. It's really become a hassle. I have gotten.." you are just too heavy on the brakes" to "all smaller cars have this noise" Nissan has certainly let me down from day one and continues to do so. I hope Nissan Corp can turnaround. I am leaving a whole slew of issues with Nissan, but brakes certainly adding the cherry.

[07Vsdn]

our non abs brakes don't squeal.

are you taking part in the truedelta.com survey?

you might check out the site and join up. might be some info there about the brakes. i haven't signed up with the versa, yet, but i have on my other car. i think if you sign up to report service visits you get free access to the site.

check it out...

[The Edge]

I've got 4K miles on my versa. No ABS and my brakes have never ever squeeled or screeched.

[Nismo V]

Ok, here's what's going on; You must have some cheap, metallic pads, or you're not breaking in the new pads properly. Read the manual, follow the break-in instructions after having new pads installed, or buy your own pads (a softer material, non-metallic) and the noise will disappear. Squeeling disc brakes is not necessarily a defect, just cheap pads. Or high-quality metallic racing pads...

I have similar thoughts regarding his pads and break in methods I had the V since Nov. 06' and have racked up 13K on the brakes and mine has only squeeked three times which... I had my friend adjust them and it went away.. He might want to try a different dealer service as well to changing his break in methods of the pads as well..

Only squeeling I get is from the tires when I dust off a Fit or Yaris...

[DrivingHabit]

Brake Dust? like people said will sometimes make noise.

[nissantech06]

Many Nissans have had issues with squeaking brakes. It requires new pads, hardware and molycote.

[canunez]

UPDATE:Contacted all the Nissan numbers (local, regional and corp) are on the case. Nissan Corp. did call me back and told me to take it back to the dealer. Took the car back in for a road test with the local service manager. It rained like cats and dogs as I was driving to the dealer. Drove over alot of water... .once I get to the dealer we admit that there is no way any sound will come from the car since it rained.

Well the manager was driving the car and the noise happen again. This is not just a little noise, this is bus screeching noise even AFTER a down pour and driving over water. The manager was surprised.

Long story short, they have the car, they gave me a rental. They are replacing the back brake shoes. They did not see any wear and tear on the brakes, but are playing it safe by replacing the shoes. Car should be ready by tomorrow.

[PB]

Next time do a proper brakin of the brakes,Dont be hard on them,Like any car they have to settle into the drums or on the rotors,Any heavy braking will cause burn marks on the material and you will get a glaze build up,This is what causes the noise in the brakes.Apply them softly the first 3-4000 km, dont hit them hard,unless you have to for some reason.Dont believe me drive like krazy and then ram the brakes on at every stop light all the time.

[canunez]

Just for the record, I am a slow driver and do not slam on the brakes, unless needed, i.e. jay walkers, close accident.. etc.... I do live in a city and that could be it. Do you think this could apply to the parking brake? I get mixed messages about when to apply them or if people do... to add.. is "proper break-in of the brakes" also mean do not go down hills while "riding on the brakes?"

[canunez]

The back brakes shoes have been replaced and the back drums/rotators have been resurfaced.... The brakes feel very different, a much smoother stop... thanks for everyone's help.. IF the noise starts again, I will certain post more updates.

[justmerging]

Hope everything works out for you. I personally recommend ceramic brake pads as the metallic ones can be a little harsh on the rotors/drums. For the record I've got well over 27k miles and my brakes haven't made a sound.

[PB]

Riding the brakes going down hill will do it for sure,When i go down a long downhill drive i will apply the brakes to slow down, and then let off,Then i repeat the same apply let off,Dont rest your foot on there all the way down the hill,Your just asking for problems.