1999 Nissan Maxima tire/wheel balance problem

Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
1999 Nissan Maxima SE, mileage: 107,000. I have a tire/wheel balance problem w/ stock 215/55 16 wheels. Several facilities have tried to balance them successfully however they still are not perfect. Nothing bent or out of round. Tried a replacement wheel tire package, stock size, and $1800 later new wheels and tires sitting in garage. The shimmy occurs at 65 mph+. In addition, my brakes continue to warp. Replace front pads twice (all Nissan stock) and recently replaced rear. I do all highway miles and generally do high-speed stops (I’m a cop). Thought about replacing w/ performance friction carbon metallic. Any suggestions? (I like the brake feel and performance on 98 police Crown Victoria I drive, what kind of brakes). If replace with performance friction carbon metallic brake pads, do I need new rotors or can new pads be installed with resurface rotors. The shimmy is annoying and the brakes are just expensive. Suggestions please.
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 7:42 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 4,542 POSTS
The problems with wheel shimmy and the brakes maybe related. In doing several high-speed stops, all the energy is transferred to the brakes causing them to heat up. Excess heat will warp the rotors causing the shimmy you are experiencing. New brake rotors would help because they are full size with more mass to dissipate the heat. The metallic brake pads you mentioned may help but they will wear out the brake rotors quicker. The brake systems on police cars are usually equipped with larger brake rotors and pads. They also try to get more air circulation to the brakes with vented style rims. One last thought, be sure wheel lug nuts are properly torqued. Over tightening will warp the brake rotors.
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 7:44 PM

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