QuestionVon, thanks for your speedy reply. When I said earlier that I used to try to work on my own cars, that's exactly what I meant - I used to try. I am not completely incompetent(close but not completely stupid), but honestly I don't have the tools and expertise to make this repair on my own.
I need a professional to work on this car - preferably someone other than who worked on it last time. What do you suggest? Should I tell my mechanic exactly what you told me about replacing the sliders, bleeding the lines etc? Do you think I should replace the entire brake set or can the existing brakes be seviced?
Any advice you can give me helps.
Thanks,
Mike
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Followup To
Question -
Von,
I have a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder with 124K miles. I have owned it for 6 years, I bought it used, to the best of my knowledge it has never been in an accident.
Overall it is a good running car but I have a recurring problem involving the brakes. One of the brake calipers sticks, causing the car to pull to one side, premature tire wear etc.
Approximately 16 months ago, I had an expensive brake job done, including replacing the calipers. Last week the exact same problem came back. I took it back to my mechanic and he tells me it needs new calipers again. I told him to get it down off the rack and park it. It is currently in my driveway.
I have put less than 10k miles on the new brakes, I do not take the car off road, I drive it easy - my friends make fun of me because I drive like an old lady. I am 41 years old, this is not my first car, I used to try to work on my own cars when I was younger. I've seen disc brakes, it seems to be a fairly simple system. I have never had to replace brake calipers. I have never heard of anyone else having to replace brake calipers.
How can this be that I need to replace calipers twice in 16 months? I would like to keep this car, it is paid for and otherwise runs good.
What do you think is going on? Is there something that can be causing this car to eat brakes, or am I being hosed by my mechanic?
Thanks a lot for your advice, I need some right now.
Mike
Answer -
Mike,
If the caliper pistons are plastic they could go bad. But, if they are steel pistons there is a problem with the rebuilt units or the weather in your area promotes rust. The calipers should not go bad this soon. If it were me I would be looking at the slides the caliper moves on to see if there is rust or dirt that is making the brakes drag. First, get a new set of slides from Nissan. The kit will set you back aobut $20 bucks and that is what the pads slide on. Then, you need to bleed the brakes with Ford High Performance Brake Fluid. It is DOT 3 so it will work with your system and it is not synthetic. But, it has twive the boiling point of regular brake fluid. This will dry up what ever water is in your brake system and that should take care of internal rusting of pistons. After this I would check to see if the brakes drag anymore. My guess is that it would correct the problem. If your pistons are not leaking this should be the fix.
AnswerMike,
I would take it to another shop and get a second opinion about the calipers. If they are not leaking and the pads are wearing out way too soon I would be looking at a different reason for the pad wear. My bet is the anti rattle clips and slider assemblies. Basically, Nissan has chrome inserts on the hangers that the pads slide on. If these were not replaced when the last service was performed you have found the wear problem. I would go with factory pads. You can get them at the dealer for about $65 bucks for the front set. Also, the sliders and anti rattle clips are sold at the dealer too. Get both of these and take it to an independent and have them installed and remember about bleeding the brakes with the Ford High Performance Brake Fluid. You can get that at the Ford house and you have to ask for it by name. Otherwise, they will sell you regular fluid.
