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Nissan Quest Brakes

117 messages,  Last post on Apr 19, 2012 at 7:16 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Quest, Brakes, Van

Messages Page 2 of 13

#6 of 117 Constant brake problems by garycox

Mar 07, 2007 (8:04 am)

I've posted messages before which are now in the read only quest forum...
 
I'm going to post again with an update and see if anyone has any ideas...
 
I bought brand new a 2004 Nissan Quest. At just over 6,000 miles I had to have the rotors machined due to steering wheel shake. It went fine until 29,000 miles when it started again and I had to have the rotors machined (turned) and brake pads replaced. Since that 29,000 miles it has been a constant repeat of warped rotors.
 
Every 5,000 - 8,000 miles I start having steering wheel shake again and the rotors must be turned. At about 6,000 miles ago I had the front rotors replaced and at about 4,500 the problem started again where I just now had it repaired again.
 
The vehicle has 48,000 miles on it. In all fairness I must say the dealer and Nissan has eaten some costs in repairs but the problem is that the problem keeps coming back.
 
They even flew an engineer down this last time and he looked at the vehicle. He checked all aspects of the brakes and everything was within specifications and working correctly except the rotors had to be machined again.
 
He was unable to explain why the rotors keep needing to be machined.
 
My thoughts are if everything in the brake system is at factory specifications as verified by a Nissan Engineer then it must be a design problem? They claim they have no history of this being a problem in the 2004 quest and that it meets government standards for safety and so on.
 
I'm not a mechanic but it seems to me for the rotors to warp and to need machining it must be heat causing the rotors to warp. The only thing that can cause heat is for the pads to be pushing on the rotors such as while braking. Since the pads have been verified as running as they should and not draging so the only time heat can be generated is when I brake. I drive with just one foot, not both and I have even tried driving with the thought in mind not to use the brakes. I also assume that it is not just the heat but the cooling back down of the brakes is when they begin to warp? So I do not even wash the van when I've been driving it, only when it cools down although going through a rain storm is a different story...
 
It's been suggested non Nissan pads and rotors as a possible solution but that's not a manufacturer solution which I've been pushing for.
 
If only a few other 2004 quests are having this problem then perhaps I have a lemon although all of the braking system is within specifications so I wouldn't think so based on that.
 
So it still points to a design problem from the information that I have but why are not more people complaining or are people just living with steering wheel shake? How did I go from 6,000 miles to 29,000 and now I can't go hardly 6 or 7,000 miles before a problem?
 
It's been suggested the brakes on the 2004 quest are undersize for the vehicle... Did they improve that for the 2007 Quest?
 
Any ideas or comments are welcome... Thanks... Gary

#7 of 117 Re: Constant brake problems [garycox] by perna

Mar 07, 2007 (11:24 am)

Replying to: garycox (Mar 07, 2007 8:04 am)
It's been suggested the brakes on the 2004 quest are undersize for the vehicle... Did they improve that for the 2007 Quest?
 
Actually, yes. My folks traded in an '04 on an '07, and the rotors are substantially larger.
 
If you want to keep your '04, I would buy some slotted Brembo rotors and new pads all around, then call it a day. Minivans are notorious brake eaters.

#8 of 117 Re: Constant brake problems [perna] by tjshan

Mar 07, 2007 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: perna (Mar 07, 2007 11:24 am)
WE have a 2006 with about 10K miles on it now. We did have the brake shake at the first service, and the dealer did replace the rotors (though not the pads interestingly enough) however I have to say we kind of expected it. I had heard brakes were a problem with this van...it is large and heavy and I frankly find the braking to be odd. when you first step on the brake, it does not seem to slow at the rate you would expect, apply more pressure (now you are getting close to needing to anyway) and it seems to slow too quickly. I have driven many vehicles through the years, sports cars to trucks...I just can not get used to the braking on this van.
 
Anyway...to answer your question, yes I think the brakes are probably undersized for the application. Sure they will stop the van...but they wont last while doing it. Is it a design flaw...more like a compromise. The stock brakes on my Porsche are super...but expensive and pads wear quickly...Is it a design flaw?
 
Braking is such a subjective thing, if the engineer drove your car for 8K miles would he warp the rotors? possibly not...maybe it does have something to do with your driving style. I have to say I am suprized Nissan has stood by you this long , a 2004 I would have thought they would try to bug off of.
 
I had not heard the 2007's brakes were larger. Are they retrofittable?
 
Please keep us appraised of how it turns out.
 
Tom

#9 of 117 Re: Constant brake problems [garycox] by dtownfb

Mar 07, 2007 (1:06 pm)

Replying to: garycox (Mar 07, 2007 8:04 am)
I've been following your brake plight. I think I have mentioned to you that my mechanic (independent) replaced my rear rotors with Wagner rotors. That was 12,000 miles ago and no problems since. Definitely not Brembo but good quality rotors. If you are handy, you can order rotors online and install them yourself or have an independent shop do it for you. I jsut hate to see you suffering like this. Nissan can't put on anything except OEM. Maybe one of the mechanics could do you a favor.....
 
Good luck and keep us informed.

#10 of 117 Re: Constant brake problems [tjshan] by garycox

Mar 07, 2007 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: tjshan (Mar 07, 2007 12:17 pm)
I've thought about my driving style and have tried to modify it. Since the last brake job where the front rotors were replaced I actually tried not to use the brakes as often as possible. It didn't seem to do a lot of good.
 
The engineer who looked at it couldn't offer an explanation as to why they warp as he said the van was within factory specifications except for them being warped.
 
Thanks... Gary

#11 of 117 Re: Constant brake problems [dtownfb] by garycox

Mar 07, 2007 (1:40 pm)

Replying to: dtownfb (Mar 07, 2007 1:06 pm)
I've thought of replacing the brakes with another brand but the vehicle is under 60,000 mile warranty. It would be giving up or giving in to discontinue pushing Nissan on the issue when it's their problem and not mine. Then if I had some issue while under warranty they could say it was bacause of non-Nissan parts. 100% of all work as been at a Nissan dealership so they can't point any fingers.
 
I'm not suffering alone, many people at Nissan really hate hearing from me I'm sure...
 
While it has been some work and many trips to the shop they have covered most of the costs so far which is a plus. Sending an engineer was a surprise. The dealer has done a good job in the work they have done and ate some costs themselves. Still they can only fix something as to how it was designed and only with their parts...
 
If the 2007 does have larger rotors it would seem someone at the company identified the need for them and made the change.
 
I wish I could identify how many people are having this problem...

#12 of 117 Re: Constant brake problems [garycox] by dtownfb

Mar 08, 2007 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: garycox (Mar 07, 2007 1:40 pm)
Very smart in having all your work done at the same dealership and if the work is covered by warranty, they keep doing it. After warranty, different story.
 
If I remember right, the Quest and Armada had issues with the rear rotors. And they are definitely larger now.
 
My only issue I have is the stupid rattle in the driver side sliding door. I believe that has to do with one of the TSBs. right now the door does not fully seat. It does not trigger any flashing lights but it leaves a slight opening between it and the driver door. In cold weather I get lots of rattling and excessive air. Also I had the door freeze shut because too much moisture gets in. I'll have them address it at the next oil change. I've noticed the service manager is more sympathetic to my problems then they were a couple of years.

#13 of 117 Brakes - 2004 SE by famof3kids

Mar 12, 2007 (2:03 pm)

I have a 2004 SE with 39k miles on it. We have yet to replace the brakes. Last time tires were rotated they told me I'd need new brake pads on the rear. I'm wondering....the SE has electronic brake force distribution, meaning that more braking power may be sent to the rear, since mine are wearing faster there, it makes sense. Those of you having front rotor problems, are they the S or SL model? Does that model have electronic brake force distribution? If not, that could be the reason for the front wearing first, or, overheating and warping. If they do, maybe that's not working correctly. Are the rear pads wearing normally? Hum....
 
Anway, we love our Quest and would buy another (SE) in a heartbeat. We haven't had any 'real' issues.
 

#14 of 117 Re: Brakes - 2004 SE [famof3kids] by dtownfb

Mar 13, 2007 (9:19 am)

Replying to: famof3kids (Mar 12, 2007 2:03 pm)
All Quests have ABS with EBD. The front brakes seem to wear fine as long as the rotors don't warp. I had my front rotors resurfaced at 8k miles and never had another problem with them until I needed to replace them at 40k+. to me that is in line with past experiences with front brakes.
 
I really like our 2004 Quest S except for the driver sliding door rattle. that has to do with the door being slightly out of alignment. I'll get that taken care of next month when I get the oil changed.

#15 of 117 Just replaced brakes by garandman

Mar 17, 2007 (4:57 am)

We just replaced the brakes on our 05 Quest at 45,600 miles. They weren't completely worn out but it was a convenient time to get them done.
 
We just replaced them on an 05 Accord at 40,000. It looks like my Subaru will need them before 40,000. So Nissan is winning.

Messages Page 2 of 13

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