Category5

A recent thread showed that Consumer Reports rated the Z-brakes as poor reliability, especially the 2005-year. Now, over the past couple years I've seen complaints about trany, windows, paint, axle-clicking, oil consumption, but not one word about brakes (other than brake dust). Has anyone had poor reliability with brake-related parts/mechanics?

dan105540

Nope just dont get them checked enough.

savvy

iTrader: (1)

my brakes are sqeaking like mad with 25k on the clock. What kind of brake problems are the 05's having?

my05350z

Got mine replaced as a condition of purchase when i bought it a month ago. When i test drove it those brakes were completely done. Not like making the simple "change me please" sound, more like a grinding "change me now" sound.

Car was 31k when i picked it up

davidv

iTrader: (2)

I haven’t the faintest idea about the brake reliability. Maybe the dealers are scamming owners about replacing pads, and the owner rates brakes as "problematic."

SniperHunter

iTrader: (9)

David is right. 2006 models haven't approached that time with the brakes yet, as they're still relatively new. But mark my word, in a year or two, they'll also have that half-circle from CR.

cambo350z

iTrader: (8)

i got almost 30k on mine and my brakes seem fine on my 06.

bbs350z

iTrader: (85)

the brakes on pre 06 are terrible. they werent properly coated (or so i read)and were prone to uneven pad wear. my rear (yea, as in 1 side) went out at 22k, and front at 35k. now i roll project mu

zland

The brakes tend to go thru pads quickly. It is not uncommon for people to have to replace pads after 20-25K. Of course if you want alonger wear, you can always go to a less grip type but will not get as good of stopping power.

The bottom line is high performance cost money.

WYZIWYG

Can't quite comment on reliability, as I encountered little to none before it was time to switch out the original ones. But be prepared to pay a siginificant mark-up price if you get your brakes done at one of the local "chains". When I needed the brakes on my 97 Corolla changed Meineke charged me roughly $200-300. When I took the Z in a few months later the price jumped to $600+ for the "regular" service and $800+ for the "platinum" service.
I asked what the difference was and one of the mechanics told me not much, so I opted for the lesser amount. <And please save the "Well you bought a 30k car so quit being cheap" comments>

rayzzee

at 48000 km my front and back require replacing...$$$$$$$ pads & rotors..

Category5

As I recall, the 2005 had the full-circle (black). One would think that it would take more than accelerated pad-wear to warrant a full-black. Apparently not.

WhiteNoiz

damn, my brakes are making the "change me please" sound right now, I have 27k. I think I may change em out myself. Is the Z any harder than any other car to change pads?

KManZ

iTrader: (8)

I remember my 03 needing changing in the 25k range too. And the brake dust was horrendous. Are the pads the same between the 03-05 and the 06+??? I ask because when I wash my car, there is hardly any brake dust compared to the older Z.

LBkr

iTrader: (2)

Here's a great how-to thread on z brakes. I've done lots of brakes before but did my first z brake job a couple weeks ago. The thread was helpful for wrench sizes but if you've ever done a brake job there won't be any surprises.

https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-suspension-diy/58195-how-to-change-brake-pads.html

Also, if you're a real noob, there's a bit more brake job background here (see post #33):

https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-suspension/310937-ultimate-brake-pad-thread-what-s-the-least-noisy-with-minimal-dust-2.html
_

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

Well 03 to 05 had crap for brakes, they are way to small. 06 the seemed to have fixed the problem with bigger rotors and 2 piston fronts. I hated my stockers, now i have the 06 setup. IMO its much better, but i will still have a BBK on my car before long,

Escobar

iTrader: (27)

no problems at all with mine. I have an 03 with aftermarket wheels. I see little to no brake dust, I do have aftermarket rotors, cross-drilled and slotted.

drivenCSZ

iTrader: (2)

ive never had problems with my 03 brakes...the poor reliability probably has to do with the pads wearing out quick.

i switched mine out a little after 20k

rich06zr

My brakes on my 06 are great once they are warmed up- but backing out of the garage they squeal like a raped pig...and I only have about 9500 miles on mine.

FastZ33

iTrader: (29)

brakes r grt