Nissan Repair: Brake Problems, nissan sentra, rear shoes

Question
My 97 Nissan Sentra makes a squealing noise coming from the right front tire when I brake.  Also, at the same time I brake, there are a couple of loud popping noises coming from the back tires.  I sometimes feel hesistation in the front tires as if there is some unevenness in braking power irregardless of the pressure I apply to brake pedal.  The brakes haven't been checked in the past two years.  What could this be?

Answer
It sounds like it is time for a brake job on the front since you have the squealing sound and that could be the noise maker letting you know that you are almost out of pad or you have gone down to the backing plates.  On the rear the popping could be the shoes grabbing trying to compensate for the front.  If it were me I would do a new set of front pads and rear shoes.  You might have to turn the rotors and drums if they have gone too long and from the sound of it they have.