resurfaced front rotors for 3rd time??

[t1328]

Hi Everyone:

I've now had to take my car ('07 G35x) in for brake issues (shuddering when braking) on several occasions. My records show that they replaced the front rotors once, and resurfaced them twice (I only have 25k miles), and I had to take it in again for the same reason yesterday, Last time I took it in for this reason they claimed they could not reproduce the issue. So this time I had a tech come out with me, and he clearly got it.

So I get a call that my car is ready, and was told that they resurfaced all 4 rotors. THat sounds good, but one thing about that bothers me. I thought I read that rotors should not be resurfaced more than twice. If that's the case, then the front rotors should have been replaced with new ones in this case.

Can any of you confirm whether I'm right or wrong about the rotors, and if they should only be resurfaced twice, is that somewhere in writing? I told the service mgr this when he told me they resurfaced the rotors, and he said well they drove it, and it drives perfectly - the shudder is gone, etc.There must be a good reason though why they say you shouldn't resurface these more than twice - maybe the rotors are becoming too thin and this is a risk?

Anyway, would appreciate your thoughts, and also how best to approach this.

Cheers
Tamir

[AesonVirus]

I had my turned at 15K, replaced at 30K and at 44K, they need turning again.
The OEM rotors are crap.

[JaxG]

Is that what this TSB is about?
ITB00-024e
-REVISED-
ALL INFINITI MODELS; BRAKE NOISE/JUDDER/PEDAL FEEL DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR
This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. Most brake issues fall into the following categories:
a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released.
b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel, or brake pedal when the brakes are applied.
c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low.

[kewltea]

Took mine in this weekend for the juddering issue. They were trying to tell me my brake pads were worn and wanted me to spend $300/axle!!! I mentioned the TSB and got them to pay for labor to replace the fronts, but I had to pay for the pads.

Should the pads be covered under warranty b/c of the TSB??

[dockersguy]

t1328, I'm not a mechanic, but I do know that all rotors have a minimum thickness. It really depends on what the thickness of your rotors are after they resurface them and not so much how many times it has been turned. If your rotors had deep grooves in them and they needed to remove a large amount of rotor to get them to be flat again then, perhaps you will only be able to resurface your rotors once. But, if your rotors had only shallow grooves, then perhaps your rotors can be turned more than once. I hope this makes sense.

[kmuniz78]

I currently have 440020 on my brakes, and have noticed when my front drivers side wheel rotates to a certain spot, I hear it squeek, as if something is rubbing. Could be brake dust build up, but not sure. Will have them take a look at it at my 45,909 mile oil change. I see folks having thier rotors resurfaced. I might need new pads. Any other thoughts?

[ShanesG]

Originally Posted by dockersguy

t1328, I'm not a mechanic, but I do know that all rotors have a minimum thickness. It really depends on what the thickness of your rotors are after they resurface them and not so much how many times it has been turned. If your rotors had deep grooves in them and they needed to remove a large amount of rotor to get them to be flat again then, perhaps you will only be able to resurface your rotors once. But, if your rotors had only shallow grooves, then perhaps your rotors can be turned more than once. I hope this makes sense.

Would you or anyone happen to know what that minimum thickness is???

[CalsonicVQ]

First # is standard rotor thickness. Second # is min thickness.

sport (except xS)
F 32mm(30mm) R 16mm(15mm)

non-sport (incl. xS)
F 28mm(26mm) R 16mm(14mm)

These are for 07-08. I don't have the numbers for the 09+ sport 14" Akebono brakes.

[dockersguy]

I'm sure a quick call to any Infiniti dealer will answer your question. This type of info. is easily found in the factory service manual. I only have the service manual for the '08 non-sport sedan. Sorry.

[dohturdima]

I just got back from the dealer and am pissed. I went in for brake pulsation problems/judder, and the service manager offered to have my rotors turned (I am currently at 35K, only began having brake pulsation/steering wheel shake at 31K and never had them turned before). I forgot to bring the new TSB (ITB09-037: G-coupe and sedan Brake Judder) with me, service manager never mentions that this is not under warranty so I assume it is. While waiting, he checks back with me and tells me all 4 rotors need to be cut and my front brakes have less than 3K on them. I told him to go ahead and replace the pads since I am already here & cut the rotors. Does both (takes forever, too) and then hands me the bill where I am charged for resurfacing of all 4. WTF? He refuses to budge, "infiniti only warranties the rotors up to 12,000 miles" which I know is utter BS because I read these forums and know rotors were turned under warranty past 12K. I was already late for work because of these laggers and unfortunately could not stay, dowload the TSB from infinitihelp and argue my point. Now that I have a TSB in my hand - what's the best course of action?

[dohturdima]

Went there again. Result: epic fail. I gave the above-mentioned service manager judder-pertinent TSB printouts (ITB09-037 and ITB00-024e) and asked to be refunded the labor costs of turining rotors. He kept looking at the TSB printouts as if he saw them for the first time, then told me that although ITB00-024e applied to my car, he would not cover the cost because I replaced my rear pads at an independent shop and that the pads "did not look like my factory pads". I told him that I bought my rear pads at infinitipartsusa.com and showed him a receipt stating that they were OEM (I called infinitipartsusa.com and confirmed the pads indeed factory). I told hime local shop installed the rear pads 3K ago (had a receipt for that too), but did not turn the rotors. I mentioned that I was of a judder TSB and hoped to do it when I found time (which was today). Still, he would not budge, even when I asked him about front rotors which had the original pads.

Long story short, I walked out of there, filed a CC dispute and am thinking of writing a letter to the dealership and to the main office (does anyone have the contact info of the latter?). It's really sad, because to date I really was satisfied with Competition Infiniti. But like someone said, it takes many positives to develop customer loyalty - and just one negative to lose it.

[kewltea]

I had a simliar issue. They told me the juddering was due to my brake pads being thin. She wanted to charge me $300/axle!!!. I mentioned the TSB (which only talks about the fronts) and she agreed to replace the pads and resurface fronts only but i would have to pay for the pads. I agreed and paid $125+tax.

I look online and see the pads retail for about $90!! Did I get ripped off??

Originally Posted by dohturdima

Went there again. Result: epic fail. I gave the above-mentioned service manager judder-pertinent TSB printouts (ITB09-037 and ITB00-024e) and asked to be refunded the labor costs of turining rotors. He kept looking at the TSB printouts as if he saw them for the first time, then told me that although ITB00-024e applied to my car, he would not cover the cost because I replaced my rear pads at an independent shop and that the pads "did not look like my factory pads". I told him that I bought my rear pads at infinitipartsusa.com and showed him a receipt stating that they were OEM (I called infinitipartsusa.com and confirmed the pads indeed factory). I told hime local shop installed the rear pads 3K ago (had a receipt for that too), but did not turn the rotors. I mentioned that I was of a judder TSB and hoped to do it when I found time (which was today). Still, he would not budge, even when I asked him about front rotors which had the original pads.

Long story short, I walked out of there, filed a CC dispute and am thinking of writing a letter to the dealership and to the main office (does anyone have the contact info of the latter?). It's really sad, because to date I really was satisfied with Competition Infiniti. But like someone said, it takes many positives to develop customer loyalty - and just one negative to lose it.

[bat6wc]

Originally Posted by AesonVirus

I had my turned at 15K, replaced at 30K and at 44K, they need turning again.
The OEM rotors are crap.

well, i have the braking/steering wheel shudder now and im at 11k...

[AesonVirus]

Me too

[dohturdima]

Just got an e-mail from the head manager of the dealership:

"Let me start by apologizing for my slow response. After review and in an attempt to show goodwill we will be refunding you the charge for the resurfacing of your rotors. If at any time in the future you have questions about work you would like to have done and our service consultants are not answering your questions to your satisfaction please feel free to ask for our Service Manager, (name listed). We will mail you your copy of the credit card refund on Monday."

While it's great to have won this round, why would they not own up to the fact that our rotors are crap? There are not one but 2 TSBs that point to the issue. The reason that my rotors lasted almost 30K is because I generally don't drive the car like it's meant to be driven and baby it too much... otherwise they would be warped at 10K.

It's only a matter of time until they warp again. Going with aftermarkets next time for sure.