Nissan Repair: Brake Noise, nissan maxima, performance friction

Question
Hi, I have a 2000 nissan maxima and recently the back brakes
have started making a rumbling/grinding noise when i'm
braking (right before the car comes to a stop). The noise also
occurs right when i start moving from a stop and the goes away,
and it always happens when i go in reverse. The brakes seem to
be working fine but the noise does not sound good at all and
that's why it is concerning me. I am currently at school and have
limited money with me so I was wondering what the problem
might be and maybe a guess of the approximate cost to get it
fixed. The brakes on the car were put on about 1.5 years ago
and the car was inspected last may. There were never any other
brake issues with the car before this.

Answer
Jace,

Buy a set of Performance Friction Carbon Metallic pads from Autozone and install them and the noise should go away.  If you are getting a rumble out of the brakes and not a squeal then the noise makers are not down to the backing plate.  You will need a cheap tool to screw in the rear pistons while you compress the piston back into the caliper.  New pads are non-asbestos and they wear faster and make noise with some compounds.  The ones I mention are quiet and provide excellent braking for under $50 bucks.