Nissan Micra Brake and Exhaust Problems

Nissan Micra Brake and Exhaust Problems – Why Cheap Brake Pads Can Be False Economy

Following on from our Skoda Fabia brake job, the next car through the doors at Pellon Tyre and Autocentre here in Halifax was a Nissan Micra.

This particular Micra arrived with more than one problem.

The owner explained that the exhaust had become noisy, and he was also concerned that the brakes didn’t feel quite right.

Two completely different problems, but both are exactly the sort of everyday repair work we deal with here at Pellon Tyres.

Our mechanic Alex was given the job of finding out what was going on.

First Problem – A Noisy Nissan Micra Exhaust: Nissan Micra Brake and Exhaust Problems

Alex started by getting the Micra onto the ramp so that he could have a proper look underneath the car.

The reason for the noisy exhaust soon became clear.

Parts of the exhaust system had rusted through and broken in a couple of places.

This is something we see regularly on older cars, particularly here in Yorkshire.

Our climate isn’t exactly kind to exhaust systems.

We get plenty of rain, damp winter mornings and, of course, salt and grit spread across our roads when the temperature drops.

All this moisture, salt and road dirt eventually takes its toll on steel exhaust systems.

Short journeys can make things worse because the exhaust doesn’t always get hot enough to evaporate all the condensation that forms inside it.

Eventually corrosion takes over.

A small hole can start as a slight blowing noise, but once the metal has become badly weakened, it can quickly develop into a much louder exhaust.

That was what had happened with our Nissan Micra.

The Brakes Told Another Story

The owner was also concerned about his brakes.

Interestingly, he told us that new front brake pads had been fitted not that long ago.

The work had been carried out at another garage while he was away on holiday.

Naturally, you would expect recently fitted brake pads to still have plenty of useful life remaining.

However, Alex wasn’t going to make any assumptions.

He removed the wheels and carried out a proper inspection of the front braking system.

What he found wasn’t particularly impressive.

The Micra now required new front brake discs and another set of brake pads.

Our suspicion was that the pads fitted previously had been a very cheap brand and simply hadn’t performed as they should.

Not only had they failed to give the sort of service life the customer expected, but the condition of the braking surfaces meant that the discs now needed replacing as well.

Cheap Brake Pads Can Be False Economy: Nissan Micra Brake and Exhaust Problems

I have been around the motor trade for a long time, and one lesson I have learned is that the cheapest car part isn’t always the cheapest option in the long run.

This is especially important with braking components.

Brake pads have a difficult job to do.

Every time you press the brake pedal, the pads are pushed against the rotating brake discs. The friction created slows the vehicle down and generates considerable heat in the process.

Good-quality brake pads are designed to cope with this heat and friction while providing predictable braking performance and reasonable wear.

Cheap pads can sometimes be a different story.

The friction material can wear more quickly, create excessive dust, become noisy or interact poorly with the brake discs.

Of course, that doesn’t mean every inexpensive brake pad is automatically bad, nor does it mean the most expensive part is always necessary.

What matters is fitting good-quality components from manufacturers and suppliers that we know and trust.

When it comes to brakes, we certainly don’t believe in cutting corners.

Brake Pads and Discs Need to Work Together

One thing motorists sometimes don’t realise is that the brake pads and discs work together as a pair.

It isn’t simply a case of fitting pads and forgetting about the discs.

Whenever we carry out brake work at Pellon Tyres, we inspect the condition of the complete braking system.

Brake discs can develop grooves, corrosion, uneven wear or become too thin.

If the discs are still in good condition and within the manufacturer’s tolerances, then there may be absolutely no reason to replace them.

That was exactly what happened with the Skoda Fabia we had worked on earlier that morning. Its pads were worn, but the discs remained perfectly serviceable.

This Nissan Micra was different.

The condition of the braking components meant that both discs and pads needed replacing.

Every car has to be judged on its own condition.

That is how it should be.

Halifax and Calderdale Can Be Tough on Brakes: Nissan Micra Brake and Exhaust Problems

Living and driving around Halifax and Calderdale certainly gives a braking system plenty of exercise.

Anybody from our part of West Yorkshire knows exactly what I mean.

We have steep climbs and descents all over the place. Head towards Queensbury, Wainstalls, Mount Tabor, Sowerby Bridge or up onto the surrounding hills, and your brakes can be working considerably harder than they might on flatter roads elsewhere in the country.

Coming down a long hill means the brakes are repeatedly converting the car’s movement into heat.

That is why decent-quality braking components are particularly important to me.

Saving a few pounds on a cheap set of pads doesn’t look such a bargain if you have to replace them again prematurely – especially if the brake discs end up needing replacement as well.

Our Micra customer had discovered that lesson for himself.

The Nissan Micra Has Served Britain Well

The Nissan Micra is a car that we have known in British garages for decades.

Early Micras developed a reputation for being small, simple, and generally reliable little cars.

Over the generations they became a common sight throughout Britain, including here in Halifax and across Calderdale.

They have been used as first cars, family runabouts, shopping cars, and everyday commuters.

Because there are still plenty on the road, we regularly see Micras coming into our workshop for tyres, exhausts, brakes, servicing, and MOT repairs.

Like any aging car, though, certain components inevitably wear out.

Exhaust systems rust.

Brake pads wear.

Brake discs deteriorate.

Suspension components become tired.

None of this necessarily makes a car a bad car. It is simply part of keeping an older vehicle safely on the road.

And in many cases, repairing a dependable older car still makes good financial sense compared with changing it.

The Customer Gave Us the Go-Ahead: Nissan Micra Brake and Exhaust Problems

Once Alex had completed his inspection, we explained what we had found to the owner.

There was no mystery and no unnecessary work.

The exhaust had rusted and broken.

The front discs and pads needed replacing.

The customer gave us permission to carry out the necessary repairs while he waited.

Alex got on with the job, and before too long the Micra had a sound exhaust system again, along with new front brake discs and quality brake pads.

When we showed the customer what had happened with the previous pads, he wasn’t interested in keeping them.

He told us to throw the old ones away!

More importantly, he said that he had learned his lesson and wouldn’t be buying cheap brake pads for his car again.

I couldn’t really argue with him.

Quality Parts Don’t Have to Cost the Earth

At Pellon Tyres we understand that everybody has a budget.

Running a car isn’t cheap these days.

Insurance, fuel, road tax, MOT testing, servicing, tyres, and unexpected repairs can soon add up.

So we don’t believe in fitting expensive parts just for the sake of it.

What we do believe in is value for money.

There is a big difference.

A good-quality part at a sensible price can often prove far better value than the cheapest part available.

If a cheaper brake pad wears out quickly and contributes to further expense, then any original saving has disappeared.

Our job as an independent garage is to try to give customers sensible advice based on experience.

After all, we want customers to come back because they trust us, not because the same repair has failed prematurely.

Another Busy Saturday Morning at Pellon Tyres: Nissan Micra Brake and Exhaust Problems

So our Saturday morning continued.

First came the Skoda Fabia with its squeaking brakes.

Then came this Nissan Micra with a noisy exhaust and troublesome front brakes.

Two ordinary cars belonging to ordinary local motorists, but two good examples of why it pays to listen when your car starts telling you something isn’t quite right.

A noisy exhaust generally won’t repair itself.

Brakes that don’t feel right certainly shouldn’t be ignored.

Our Micra owner did the sensible thing and had both problems investigated.

Alex found the faults, we explained what was required, the customer gave us the go-ahead, and the repairs were completed while he waited.

He left with a quieter exhaust, properly repaired brakes, and one new rule for the future:

Don’t automatically choose the cheapest brake pads!

Here in the hills of Halifax and Calderdale, I think that’s pretty sound advice.

Brake and Exhaust Repairs in Halifax

If your exhaust has started blowing or rattling, or your brakes are squeaking or grinding or simply don’t feel right, get them checked.

At Pellon Tyre and Autocentre in Halifax, our experienced team regularly repairs brakes and exhaust systems on cars of all makes and ages.

We inspect the problem first, explain what we have found, and only replace the parts that actually need replacing.

That’s the way we have always tried to do things here in our little corner of Yorkshire.

Nissan Micra Brake and Exhaust Problems