Doing a brake job

[funnyman82]

Hello everyone,

Well i am on a week off so i decided to have my brakes done. I just have a few questions before i take it in. Basically i think i need my front brakes done because when i get off the highway and press the brakes my steering wheel shakes a bit. I think this might be the rotors which need machining. My question is: Is it more difficult to change a 4wd vehicle brakes than a regular fwd? What are some things that I should look for?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[mugenhonda89]

Brakes wise i don't think there is any difference between a regular car and a 4wd car. Good Luck.
this should help. http://www.aa1car.com/library/brakefix.htm

[mugenhonda89]

A Short Course on Brakes

http://www.familycar.com/brakes.htm

[Rustynut]

Depending on the make of the 4wd vehicle, it can vary. If you need to replace just the pads, there is very little difference from one to the next.
Replacing the rotor is more involved and in some, if not most older 4wd, you need to remove the hub assembly as well. By the description of the steering wobble while braking your rotors are warped and do need to be machined or replaced.

If you are lucky to own a newer version AWD, you may be in luck if the front drive is as the fwd cars where the rotors are merely held in place by the caliper followed by the wheel.

Take a good hard look at the way it is assembled, take some pictures of parts as they are mounted before any dis-assembly.

[funnyman82]

I have a 2002 Infiniti QX4. Where can i find info on the brake setup for this vehicle.

Thanks.

[Rustynut]

Check out Parts Canada or it may be parts plus, whatever the Canadian tire spinoff is they've been popping up all over, they seem to have helped a friend with things prior to buying parts, along with som information of what to expect on that particular vehicle.

I might be wrong but you may be in luck, I think that your QX4 has the modern front wheel drive setup on the front end, and that means all you need to do is to remove the wheel and then the caliper, the rotor should merely fall off then.

[funnyman82]

I found this on the internet. Does this mean that i should get this fixed at the dealer for free?

http://infinitihelp.com/Ownership/Bulletins/Infiniti/2003/ITB03-061.htm

[funnyman82]

I think this is what the dealer uses because she mentioned the name when i spoke to them. Is it worth it for the subscription?

http://www.alldata.com/products/diy/index.html

[Rustynut]

I would talk to your dealer and ask if that problem is something they can fix under warranty, usually though brake parts are not covered under warranty. Never the less call and check it out!

[Dr.Dan]

That TSB is from the US and may not apply to Canadian models.
Check with your dealer and/or Infinity Canada.

Don't both with a subscription to Alldata... not worth the $$
The dealer doesn't use that; Alldata gets their info from the dealers... it's just a copy of the TSB's that are sent to the dealers from Nissan / Infinity.

[Rustynut]

Best suggestion I can give you is to, let the dealer check it over and repair what is needed. Brakes and steering are of utmost importance and should be done correctly.

If you are a tinkerer, I suggest you spend the cash for a good reliable shop manual for your specific make and model. The cost of the manual can save you lots of unecessary repairs.

That was the first thing I bought for my boat, and just in showing the proper way to dis-assemble and reassemble things using the proper techniques has saved me hundreds, all for the $50.00 investment in the manual.

[kibboy]

Yes, get a manual. Canadian Tire sells Haynez manuals for every car and it will give you a walk through of the break job for both front and rear and the rotors.

[mander]

Yes, get a manual. Canadian Tire sells Haynez manuals for every car and it will give you a walk through of the break job for both front and rear and the rotors.

In my opinion, Haynes manuals are about as useful as last weeks newspaper. Get either a Chiltons manual or better yet, order the factory service manual from your dealer or from eBay. If you plan on doing a good portion of the work on the vehicle yourself, dont scrimp and save on a 20 dollar manual. Get something that is really detailed and save yourself a big headache.

[Dr.Dan]

Chiltons is no better than Haynes manuals.
If you need a manual, get a Factory Service Manual... it gives specific information for your year and model, and is 4 times the size of the others... which also covers many years and models.
This leads me to think you're getting 1/8 the info of a FSM ;)

And to answer the original question

My question is: Is it more difficult to change a 4wd vehicle brakes than a regular fwd?
Yes, it's allot more work to do your brakes. The whole front hub needs to come apart to remove the rotor... a good time to repack the bearings ;)

[funnyman82]

Ok so it is different to change brakes on a 4wd vehicle. If it is assembled incorrectly will this affect the 4wd capability?

[Dr.Dan]

It'll affect allot more than the auto hubs... if not assembled properly you'll damage the bearings, hub, and maybe even the axle.

Not all 4x4's are made the same way... I speak of your QX4 (and the Pathfinder)

[funnyman82]

Well the reason i ask is that i would love to take it to the dealer but to tell you the truth they cost way too much. I am taking my truck to my mechanic who has worked on my dads accord and my moms cavalier and he also worked on my exhaust a couple months ago. But i am not sure if he has done a 4x4 vehicle. I took it today and he didnt mention anything so i hope it will be ok. I will be there with him the whole time so i will keep my eye open.

[Dr.Dan]

If he's been in the business for any length of time I'm sure he knows how to do the brakes on 4x4's ;)

If he doesn't, he shouldn't be in the business...

[funnyman82]

what setting should the 4x4 be in when doing the brakes? RWD, Auto, 4H or 4LO?

[Dr.Dan]

Just leave it where it always is... Auto.
It makes no difference cause the truck isn't running; it's just sitting on the lift with it's wheels off.

Only time it would make a difference is if he was using an 'on car lathe' to machine the rotors... and then 4HI is where you want it to be :)

[funnyman82]

So i had my brakes done yesterday. I had the pads and rotors in the front changed and the rear drums cleaned. It seemes to be working well so far. Took in on the QEW to Toronto yesterday and no problems. It was interesting to see how the front brakes work. There are all these parts to take off before you can even take off the rotor.

Dr. Dan, when I am driving in the summer, I normally use the RWD option. I find it has better power and reduces gas consumption. In rain and snow I normally use the Auto option. What are the 4H and 4LO used for?

By the way thanks for all your help and suggestions. Greatly appreciated.

[Dr.Dan]

Glad you got to see how it all comes apart... not as simple as just poping a rotor off on most FWD cars ;)

As you know, the auto setting will automaticly transfer power to whatever wheels have the traction... RWD bypasses that and only engages the rear wheels.

If you're driving on slippery surfaces, such as in deep snow or mud, then you can switch it to 4HI... that will lock in full time 4 wheel drive (instead of the 'auto' switching it on and off all the time).
4LO is only used for off road... for crawling... ;) Maximum vehical speed will probably be 35Km/h.... screeming in high gear.

[funnyman82]

Thanks for your help. It has been a learning experience.