Horrible screeching noise

lurk3r

Senior member
Oct 26, 2007
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So, with 74,000 km my altima started making a horrible screeching noise, ok so its time for a brake job.

I pulled into Midas, but they didn't want to even look at the car to order the parts because it was 5:35, and "you know, we close at 6:00", pull down to belle tire, they say they can maybe look at the car by 8:00, when they close.

At this point I'm annoyed, ya I get that people are busy but a brake inspection takes all of 15 mins, went home and did it myself in less with no hoist, just a floor jack. The amazing part was that the brakes that were bad were the REAR ones. The front are still not halfway thru their lives, but the REAR !!! rotors are shot.

$115 worth of parts, ceramic pads for all 4 wheels and 2 rear rotors, several bruises on my arm and one rotor got changed last nite. It was dark and I decided to not hurt myself any more and just take my chances driving to work (its only 9 miles, one bad rear brake won't kill anyone).

The noise is gone, it was only one (driver) side that was bad. I'll still change the other side when I get home, and the front pads, but I'm saving the other rotor in case it happens again.

--edit--- this is the first thing I've had to do to the car other than oil changes.
 

lurk3r

Senior member
Oct 26, 2007
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Parking brake is a drum inside the rotor, something must have failed on one of the pads.
 

OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
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Originally posted by: lurk3r
Parking brake is a drum inside the rotor, something must have failed on one of the pads.

Did the one you replace have a wear indicator?
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
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All brake pads have a wear indicator. Most likely he had a sticking caliper and those rear pads may have beeen the
factory originals. Rear pads on most front wheel drive cars, will last about 3 times longer than the fronts.
 

lurk3r

Senior member
Oct 26, 2007
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Update, the other side was nearly new, and only passenger side had indicators. Front brakes I bought pads for, but there was no point in changing them, most of the material still there. It had to be defective brakes, not bad when defective brakes are good for 74,000 KM. Looks like the normal wearout would be at about 120,000, or 75,000 miles.