Hey guys,

My 2008 GT is about to hit 38000 KM (not miles). As you know GT comes stock with Brembo.

Last time I took her in for oil change, the service department told me that I have 2mm of pads left on the front. They quoted me something like $300+ to install new OEM Brembo pads.

I subsequently took the car to another dealership, and the tech there told me that I cannot simply change the pads, but need to get new rotors as well, because "if you only change the pads, you will likely have vibration. And we cannot machine Brembo rotors."


Granted, I don't know enough. But somehow I find these words to be rather shady. Can somebody jump in and verify?

 

I believe what I need is this:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/41000k-...4_715_806_807&

Sure enough I am in Canada. But the dealership quoted me $300+, NOT including labour. I'd much rather buy these from Courtesy and install at a shop I trust. What do you guys think?

That is, assuming that I do NOT have to get new rotors as well.

 

I am sure you can find EBC, Hawk or another popular non OEM brake pads for much less money, though I am not sure about having to replace the rotors when you do the pads. The job of the stealership is to find maintenance to be done, they exactly quote what Nissan wants done, get a second opinion and either do the work yourself or maybe have a friend who is decent wrench do the work. This might also be time to go with ss brake lines and much better brake fluid also. Good ruck feLLa.

 

This seems very premature for a brake job of that nature. Do you track the car or do a lot of city driving? I have the same KM's on my '06 and still have lots of life left on my pads mind you I don't have the Brembo set-up

I know there is a shop called Ztune located in Vancouver. You may want to get a 3rd opinon.

 

This car is a DD, and I don't often slam on the brake. In fact I do tap-->let go-->tap style braking. If there's no tracking invovled, how many KM do (brembo) pads usually last?

Now I begin to suspect the dealership is lying about the thickness of the pads. I am going to take the car to the shop I trust and have them inspect it.

I've heard about Z-tune, but last time I read, they went out of business / doing rather pooly. More research will be done.

 

Brake life depends more upon city vs highway driving as well as driving style. I've driven previous vehicles 90,000km without a doing a brake job. Getting another opinion is your best bet.

Here's a link to ztune's website.

http://www.ztune.ca/


All the best.

 

Hey thanks man. I just emailed them as well, let's see how and if they respond.

Frankly, I treat my Z with VERY good care and since I don't have a second car, I try not to mod her / abuse her. I really suspect the dealership is pulling some shady business here.

Will report back!

 

No problem... Looks like you are right about Ztune but looks like they are opening another shop.

Usually the first signs of wear is constain squeals when braking. I have a strong feeling the Stealership is taking you for a ride.

 

I have no squeaking at all whatsoever.

Though after hearing them saying I only have 2.5mm left, I somehow began to feel like my front brakes are a little mushy?! As in, not as responsive as before.

This could very well be my imagination.

Fortunately I am very familiar with a very honest mechanic shop (I know, sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it), and am going on Monday to check things out.



Now, do you think it's possible, that during my oil change, those bastards at the Stealership swapped my pads with some used 2.5mm pads? I wouldn't have anyway of knowing this, would I.

 

I would like to think that a Stealership would not sink to those levels. Personally I don't think they would risk doing that.

 

I happen to be connected with the owner of this dealership, who may or may not be aware of honesty (or lackthereof) of his workers.

If I am being lied to, somebody is about to have a very tough time.

Will keep you posted, thanks man! Much appreciated!

 

"Cannot" and "do not want to" mean the same.

 

You can inspect the pads yourself with a dental mirror and a flashlight.

Several things control whether or not the rotors need to be replaced. Most important is the minimum thickness, which will be in the service manual specs. Another is scoring, but rotors rarely get badly scored unless the pads wear down to the steel backing plate. They should also be checked for cracks and warpage, which will cause vibration and/or pulsing when the brakes are applied. If all those things are OK, the rotors should be OK.

Pad replacement is definitely a DIY job, if you're so inclined. I did it once on a Honda with a good suit on just to show someone how easy it was.

 

Yeah.. I was going to say htat- you can check the outer pad without even taking the wheel off (as long as spoke it out of the way).

To change them, they would have to remove wheels, remove pads (pretty easy), push pistons in to make room for new pads, put new ones in.. That's basically it. A few others steps could be done for a more thorough job.

If you have the blank Brembo rotors.. not sure why they can't be resurfaced/turned.. ?

If you feel them poking you in the butt.. they are probably looking to screw you.

 

The dealership would not swap pads just to say you need some. You don't HAVE to replace your rotors if they're in decent shape, it's just recommended cause it can cause problems down the road if you just do a pad slap. I don't see why they can't cut the rotors, they're solid, not drilled or slotted. You will not have a vibration if you do a pad slap. Vibration comes from warped rotors, not from replacing just the pads.

 

Many thanks guys!

That's what I thought. Vibration is caused by warped rotors rubbing aginst pads, and with feathering braking style I use, I sincerely doubt the rotors are warped.

I am going to take things apart and inspect. If the pads are really down to 2.5mm, I am going to get new OEM Brembo pads, or StopTech pads, without doing anything to the rotors. IF I feel any vibration, I'll do something about the rotors then.

Somebody here mentioned now may be a good time to upgrade to SS lines and new braking fluid as well. Can anyone pls recommend something decent, that would work for 2008 Brembo's?

 

I use Stoptech SS lines.

 

i would imagine that the braking style you described would be more conducive to brake jutter/vibration. vibration is not usually a result of warped rotors, rather a thickness variation of pad material. your constant pulsation could easily cause that. the only thing that may have saved you from vibration is the abrasive nature of the brake pads.

considering the nature of the pads, it is possible to replace the pads only. however, there may be a lip built up around the edges of the rotors resulting in unpleasant noises during brake operation. imo, if you are going to do a pad slap, i would put the same pad back on the rotor and follow the recommended break in procedure.

not machining rotors is very common place today. the dealer is not trying to rip you off, there are far more factors at work than what the face of the rotor looks like. we are not a nissan dealer, but we do not even have a brake machining lathe.

i always enjoy threads where folks bash the "stealership" when the information they have for bashing them is wrong. technology changes and with it so does maintenance practices.

 

^It's true, you people are gonna bash the dealership either way. You're gonna get pissed at them either way because you think they are ripping you off for selling you rotors, but then if you don't get the rotors done when you do the pads now you have a squeal. Well you're gonna be pissed now cause you have a squeal. That's why dealers always recommend everything; to cover their own ***.

 

and to make lots of dollars.