Brake job for a 2002 maxima SE

Hello, I have been reading all I can both here and on the forums on
maxima.org looking for a How to replace the front brake pads/rotors on
the 2002 maxima SE.

So far, I have not really found very much as far as a complete start
to finish guide.

I've replaced the front brake pads about 2 months ago, but now I'm
getting squeaks from time to time.

What I would like to do is upgrade to the 2004 maxima front rotor and
caliper. But I do not want to go near this without being fully
informed.

Any help regarding this would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

RR5 wrote:

Hello, I have been reading all I can both here and on the forums on
maxima.org looking for a How to replace the front brake pads/rotors on
the 2002 maxima SE.

So far, I have not really found very much as far as a complete start
to finish guide.

I've replaced the front brake pads about 2 months ago, but now I'm
getting squeaks from time to time.

What I would like to do is upgrade to the 2004 maxima front rotor and
caliper. But I do not want to go near this without being fully
informed.

Any help regarding this would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

First, it should be noted that calipers have no impact on the brake
squeal issue. Brake squeal is always a function of the brake pad and
pad shims. When you changed your front pads before, did you re-use the
OEM shims? You really, really should re-use the OEM shims - they are
there to dampen vibration, and work consistently better than any
anti-squeal goo you might try. If you pitched them, you can probably
buy a new set under the component 'brake hardware kit'.

Changing a rotor is easy - you just proceed as if you were changing the
pad - remove the caliper, remove the pads, and the rotor should be
staring right at you. If there are some phillips type flat head screws
near the center, remove them. You might need an impact driver or some
PB blaster on those. Then re-thread a lugnut on a lug partway and give
the rotor a rap with a heavy metal hammer. Or, take a pair of screws
(M10 usually) and thread them into the empty holes at the hub of the
rotor. Tighten these down and the rotor should pop free. Installation
is the reverse...

I would further research the 2002/2004 caliper swap, and see if others
have done it. Brake systems are carefully balanced between the front
calipers, rear calipers, and master cylinder. The reason is because
usually a bigger brake has different sized pistons, and larger pistons
mean your brake system needs to move more fluid. If this is the case,
you should consider getting a larger master cylinder also. You should
also change the rear calipers too, since changing just the fronts could
lead to a change in front/rear proportioning. At its worst, this can
cause the rear brakes to out-brake the fronts and cause the rear end to
break loose - just as if you yanked your e-brake. I wish I knew the
answer, but I have a 97 so I don't know what mods the 2002 owners have
done and why.

So if you find yourself replacing any of the calipers, you'll need to
know a couple of things:

1) Brake fluid is highly corrosive to auto paint. It's not under
pressure, but if it runs or leaks onto you or the car clean it immediately.

2) Ordinary open-ended wrenches are a Very Bad Idea for loosening the
tube fittings on brake and clutch hydraulics. Get a special brake line
wrench from the parts store that will fit tighter and not round the nut.

3) Get one quart of DOT3 or DOT4 brake fluid. Not the DOT5, ever.
(Although DOT5.1 is ok, but it's not necessary). Don't break the seal
on the fluid until it's time to add it, and throw the rest away at the
end of the day. Brake fluid absorbs water when in contact with air, and
this will degrade the thermal properties of the fluid. Also, the
entrapped water will corrode the internals of your brake components.

4) Brake fluid cannot have any air in the lines. Once you unbolt and
remove the caliper from the brake line, change the caliper, or even open
a bleeder screw, you should bleed that caliper. There is a very good
how-to on a good bleeding procedure at www.zeckhausen.com. In a
nutshell, you push fluid in one direction only by having one person push
the brake pedal, and you open the bleeder screw. (warning: do not
overtorque the bleeder screw, ever. It's just barely snug.) Fluid will
bleed out, and you close the bleeder before the helper finds the brake
pedal to the floor. Then repeat until all air bubbles are gone and keep
the fluid reservoir at least at the min mark as you do this. Repeat at
each corner, per the order specified in the factory service manual.

Dave

On Feb 22, 5:17 pm, "RR5" <askpc... (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:

Hello, I have been reading all I can both here and on the forums on
maxima.org looking for a How to replace the front brake pads/rotors on
the 2002 maxima SE.

So far, I have not really found very much as far as a complete start
to finish guide.

I've replaced the front brake pads about 2 months ago, but now I'm
getting squeaks from time to time.

What I would like to do is upgrade to the 2004 maxima front rotor and
caliper. But I do not want to go near this without being fully
informed.

Any help regarding this would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

maxima.org check it out...