Convenient that this thread was at the top of the pile just now. I just got back from a quick drive to get some lunch and in two places on the road when I had to roll gently to a stop on a slight downhill grade, right as I was almost stopped and applying moderate pressure on the brake pedal I heard a high-pitched moan (not a squeal, or squeak) the first time. The second time I rolled my windows down and reproduced the sound, and it sounded like it was coming from the rear driver's side corner specifically. When I got back to the office I looked at the rear driver side rotor and I could not identify any uneven wear or unusual marking.

This is definitely the first time I have heard this noise. I am thinking maybe rapid climate change has something to do with it. Yesterday it was 68 degrees and sunny here, and today it is mid-40's and raining. However I did not hear this sound last spring, and did not hear it during the cold rain/sleet/snow we had here this winter. I'll keep my ears open as the weather continues to fluctuate, but in the meantime has anyone else heard this type of sound? Again it's not a squeak or squeal and it only happened on down-hill grade (i.e. they were doing more work to stop the car than on a flat road) and only happened in the last rotation or two of the wheel as the car came to a stop. Any ideas???

BTW this is a 2006 Z enthusiast (non-Brembo) with OEM brake components and 16,500 miles on the clock, purchased brand new in March 2006.

EDIT: 1.5 weeks ago I installed a set of 19" wheels/tires that weigh roughly the same as the 2006 enthusiast/touring (35th anny.) wheels/tires. Rotational inertia is probably a bit higher due to more of the weight being concentrated outward at the wheel rim, and I realize this technically requires more braking power, but I find it tough to believe that performance would be affected after only 10 days of use. Thoughts??

 

nissan oem pads cost about 60 bucks btw.
i replaced my replacement oem front pads last month with tirerack ceramic pads(canadian made). Similar bite as oem but less dust....20 bucks cheaper than oem.

 

my stock rear right pad went nuts at 21k. for sum reason our pads suck ***. ithink i read sumthing about our calipers 2. not being zinc coated having sumthing 2 do w/ it??

 

my oem rear pads were as good as new at 16k miles.

 

OEM rear just started screeching today @ 48k
i replaced my front pads @ 35k the day after i heard the first screech.

 

changed everything at 9k... but then tracking my car did kill my rotors before the pads went bad.

 

There you go, take a look:
http://www.courtesyparts.com/350z/brakes.html

 

Rear OEM pads are starting to squeak with 39k miles. That includes two track days and half-dozen auto-crosses, but mostly a lot of highway miles (which don't require braking often).

 

Replaced the front OEM pads at 48,000 miles.

 

Wow didnt know the stock non-brembo pads were so cheap! lol

I just had Nismo pads installed on my track and it hurt price wise....but compared to what others had quoted no so bad at West Covina Nissan

Still need to bed them in though....not as much bite as stock but time will tell

Track -- brembos -- 15K miles and still had some pad left not much....wanted to do some canyon runs and felt it was time

 

20k seems about average w/ the Z.