Posted: Feb 17 2005 at 2:53pm | IP Logged

Toyota bends over backward for their repeat buyers. Nissan could give a crap. They wonder why people aren't still flocking to the Titan...look right here-the forums are killing you...oh I mean your reputation for screwing your customers in killing you.

Thank you again Nissan for not caring

Posted: Feb 17 2005 at 8:12pm | IP Logged

Bought2, Earlier I posted a question about bedding that I feel wasn't really answered and the bottom line I'd like to offer a suggestion. I'm coming out of a high performance sports sedan that acted identical to your description. One of the brake gods in the BMW world gave a great write up on brake shudder and the difference between a warped rotor and one that had uneven brake deposits. If the shuddering seems to go away at times e.g. when you first drive it in the morning or after some serious braking situations its probably not warped. I followed the bedding process outlined by most after market performance brake specialists and it worked great, couldn't believe it. Truly warped rotors will not get better under any circumstances. Rotors with uneven brake pad deposts will not for instance feel the pulsing under light brake pressure but will vibrate like hell under more server application.

The bedding procedure goes like this: First you take your truck out and do a series of 4-5 slow -med stops to get the rotors and pads up to operating temps. Then find a nice back road that you can do a series of 60-10 mph stops without worrying about traffic. The critial things are doing at least 8 in a row without coming to a complete stop and then ending the bedding process by driving at least 10-15 minutes to cool the brakes this time without touching them at all. I'll admit up front that I'm new to the truck world and this could be complete waste of time. Plus I'm no brake expert but I've done this on high performance sports cars (NSX) and sedans (BMW M5) with great sucess. Racing pads for track cars uses a 80-10 mph sequence.

Posted: Feb 19 2005 at 8:58am | IP Logged

As a non-Nissan owner, but someone in need of a 4x4 capable of towing up to 8,000 lbs, I'll offer this:

- I was considering a Titan, now I'll wait and see what happens. (Get this, a local Nissan dealer said they were unaware of any brake issues - certainly wouldn't buy there, huh!)

- I don't think there are better options for a new truck out there. I can tell you as a 20 yr Ford man that Ford service is no better than what I'm reading here. I presently own a '03 F-150 (with all the goodies) and I'm ready to get rid of it . Ford, GM and Dodge have their own serious quality issues and dealer service is a joke.

- As a long time 'weekend' mechanic, it looks like the best answer for me is a 25-30yr old truck. Cheap up-front, little sales and excise taxes. For ~ 1/2 the cost of new, I'll get a nice rust-free body, a new engine and trans and maybe axles, aftermarket steering & brakes (I'll buy and install all myself), no computer controlled crap, and it easily will outperform (power, handling, braking, MPG, appearance) anything any car mfg could possibly sell to the public. Don't need a $500K computer to figure out a $10 part ain't working. Oh, and no emissions crap or testing (and I can run leaded gas, actually much better for the environment on non-converter vehicles, and I can boost the compression to about 11:1 ). The only things I'll give up are a whole lot of time to build (thats the fun part anyways), the gee-whiz electronics (rather not have 'em anyways, just more sh!t to stop working), and airbags (would really like these, but I quess you take your chances one way or another).

- I ain't 'loyal' to any car company - IMHO, thats just silly (and its what the poor auto mfg feed off of, the 'loyalists' are just too blinded to realize!). Honestly, best of luck to you who have to put up with such BS, just don't think its substantially better somewhere else - sad, but true; sad, but true . I'll keep a look out here as the saga unfolds. . .