Brakes - Rear Caliper Hum or Groan Noise

Classification:
BR01-003

Reference:
NTB01-084

Date:
December 15, 2001

2001 MAXIMA & SENTRA SE
REAR CALIPER HUM/GROAN NOISE

APPLIED VEHICLE
2001 Maxima (A33)
2001 Sentra SE only (B15, rear disc brake model)

APPLIED DATE:
2001 Maxima - vehicles produced from 11/00 to 61/01
2001 Sentra - vehicles produced from 03/01 to 07/01

SERVICE INFORMATION

If an Applied Vehicle built within the date range above exhibits the following symptom:

^ A hum or groan type of noise from the rear of the vehicle during light brake application, difficult to duplicate once the brakes are warm

It may be caused by the brake pads "moving" in the caliper housing.

Replacement inner and outer shims and brake pads are available to address this condition. Use the Service Procedure provided in this bulletin to diagnose and repair this incident, if it should occur.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Test drive the vehicle under the conditions described in the Service Information section to confirm the symptoms exist. It may be necessary to let the vehicle "cold soak" in order to duplicate the symptom.

NOTE:
Lightly apply the parking brake while the incident is occurring to verify if the noise is reduced or eliminated.

^ If application of the parking brake does not reduce or eliminate the noise, this bulletin does not apply. Use other appropriate Service Manual procedures to further investigate the source of the noise.

^ If application of the parking brake does reduce or eliminate the noise, proceed to step 2 below.

2. Remove the rear wheels.

Starting with the left rear:





3. Loosen and remove the brake caliper assembly pin bolts (see Figure 1).





4. Loosen the parking brake cable by removing the parking brake cable bolt (see Figure 2).

5. Remove the brake caliper assembly to gain access to the brake pad, shim, and pad retainer.

WARNING:
DO NOT allow the brake caliper assembly to hang from the brake hose. Use a piece of wire to hang the caliper from the rear coil spring.

6. Remove the left brake pad, shim, and pad retainer.





7. Use Nissan Brake Cleaner (P/N 999MP-A3042*) to remove PBC (Poly Butyl Cuprysil) grease and/or brake dust from the torque member (see Figure 3).

*NOTE:
Check local restrictions on the uses of chlorinated and VOC solvents. Nissan offers alternative non-chlorinated/low VOC products. Contact the Nissan Direct Ship Chemical Order Line at 1-800-811-0502 for additional details.





8. Remove the red plastic tabs from one of the replacement pad retainers in the SPR-RET kit (see the PARTS INFORMATION section of this bulletin) and install the replacement pad retainer (see Figure 4).

9. Repeat step 8 for the other replacement pad retainer.

10. Install inner and outer brake pads, outer shim, and new inner shim from the SPR-RET Kit.





NOTE:
Use PBC grease (Nissan P/N 99990A-0939P) between the brake pad, shim, and piston to reduce potential noise. Be sure to put the inner and outer shims in the correct location (see Figure 5).

11. Carefully push the piston back into the brake caliper body, following the Service Manual instructions. For more information, reference the appropriate ESM, Section BR/BRAKE SYSTEM/REAR DISC BRAKE/Pad Replacement.

WARNING:
DO NOT try to force the piston back into the brake caliper. Caliper damage may result.

12. Reinstall the brake caliper assembly to its original location.

13. Reattach the left upper and lower caliper assembly pin bolts. Torque the bolts to 16-23 ft-lb (22-31 N-m, 2.2-3.2 Kg-m).

14. Reinstall the parking brake cable bolt.

15. Repeat steps 3 through 14 for the right rear brake.

16. Reinstall the rear wheels.

NOTE:
When re-installing the wheels, evenly torque the wheel lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lb (98 - 118 N-m, 10 - 12 Kg-m). Do not tighten the wheel lug nuts with an air impact driver.

17. Repeat step 1 to test drive the vehicle and verify the noise is no longer present.





PARTS INFORMATION

CLAIMS INFORMATION





Submit a Primary Failed Part (PP) line claim using the claims coding shown.