DP7657 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I have a 54 plate 350Z GT which I have driven problem free for 4 years / 45,000 miles. Took it to the garage last week to replace 4 sets of brake disks and pads all at once. I got the DBA T2s disks and Ferodo DS2500 pads from Clark Motorsport, who did me a good forum discount and supplied everything exactly as I would expect. It was all fitted fine (or so I was told) and took the garage 2-3 hours to do the lot. I had no reason to believe there was anything to worry about and they didn't mention any issues. I bedded the brakes in as I have read up on here (where I also came to the conclusion that this was the setup to go for) and they seemed to perform fine. I then had the car up to the lakes and back on the bank holiday weekend and didn't notice anything untoward. This weekend however, I was taking a long bend on a country road (approaching 70 mph, but driving the car smoothly, not throwing it about at all) at which point the brakes applied THEMSELVES without any input from me. It wasn't slammed on, more like a few short sharp dabs (just like when ABS would normally kick in during heavy braking, which I have only experienced once). The braking felt uneven and the car lurched left, this may have been due to the road surface / camber but I couldn't be sure. I then parked up and got on here to read up before limping home. The next day I tried the car again, the brakes felt fine and responded well but after 5-10 minutes of driving, sure enough they applied themselves again. Has anyone got any experience advice on this: the brakes applying themselves? Any help appreciated, because the garage I have returned it to have not got a clue and have never heard of something like this before... Notes: The only thing I know that isn't quite right on my Z at the moment is that I just got the rear tyres changed and the fronts have slightly uneven wear on the inside edges. I have the new fronts waiting to be fited, but I'm away from home so can't do that this week sadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete87 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Will be interesting to see the replys on this as mine has been doing something similar lately, I'm pretty sure it's to do with my skinny rear tyres tho waiting to fit my new ones, does your slip light keep coming on aswell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Sounds dodgy, Not really sure what to suggest - someone had something similar(ish) a while ago but on a 370 as I recall. Suggestions were - try driving with TC off - pull the fuse on the ABS to see if that is faulty also check for damage to any of the speed sensors. Can't be more helpful than that sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DP7657 Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 Yeah, the light flashed up both times. Even if nobody has had this issue, from a Tech perspective...what is the process that allows the car to apply the brakes itself? Seems mad, or does it point at another serious problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete87 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Mine has never done this before but I currently have my gay touring wheels on rocking a huge 225 tyre and the problems started then never had this issue with the 10.5" rotas tho. It almost feels like the ABS is kicking in to keep you straight but it's just dangerious. Nearly dragged me off the road on Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DP7657 Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) Keyser - Yeah, I read that thread last night. It sounded really similar but slightly different to mine; and the fact that I just had the brakes all changed led me to believe that the probability of it being random and unrelated to the brake change was pretty low. Will make sure that the garage check the sensors and will be taking the Z to Japex when I'm home so that Ross can have a look as I don't have a lot of faith of this garage it's in up here! I drove back after the second braking with ESP off - not had any issues with ESP off yet, again my tech knowledge not brilliant and still don't know how the brakes can work well 95% of the time but also self-apply randomly! My wheels at present are Front: 225 45 R18 Falken 452s, good tread but uneven wear on inside of both tyres (replacement purchased) Rear: 245 25 R18 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric 2 XL MFS (New on, possibly the difference from front to back could be a factor?) Pete87 - Yeah, exactly. Had I been overtaking a cyclist at the time I could easily have killed them! Edited May 12, 2015 by DP7657 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Are your touring wheels 17" and the rear 18" ??? Just curious - I know the TC can get upset with wrong size wheels but this possible ABS "judder"/activation has been mentioned a few times now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete87 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 There the 18" touring wheels but I had to put the fronts on the rear in order for it to pass its MOT so they only have 225 tyres on. I never had this problem with the 245 rear touring wheels on. I think it just the tyres are too small for the rear of the car I will be putting the rotas back on the rear in a few days with 265 tyres on and see if I still have the same issue. It has only happend since swapping the wheels tho so I'm sure it is to do with this rather than a sensor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buster Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 had this once after i d removed and refitted the steering wheel....was soon sorted after i found i d not correctly lined it up on the shaft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPhoboS Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) DP7657: Ensure your brake fluid is topped up to the correct level (always worth checking!). Have you look at the US forums regarding this ? Ex: http://my350z.com/fo...nder-10mph.html type this into google: site:my350z.com abs activating (change the bold to whatever you want to search for) 'Rear: 245 25 R18' - errr - is that a typo ? Edited May 12, 2015 by RobPhoboS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS8055 Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 (edited) Yeah, as Rob says... I think you mean 245 45 R18 for the rears lol I've had my fair share of issues with the Zed, but never anything quite like that! Am very interested to hear what the problem turns out to be! Hope it's an easy and inexpensive solution! Edited May 13, 2015 by RS8055 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete87 Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 I never stated anywhere I had a 225/25/18 tyre lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mcgoo Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 What you experienced was your stability control kicking in. If you go too hot into a corner and the car gets a bit unstable it will apply the brakes to individual wheels to try and stabilise it and keep you on the road. I've only ever felt it happen once on the track and to be honest it probably did prevent me from understeering off the track. However, it it a very strange and unnerving feeling having the brakes applied without your input. If your sure you weren't going too fast in the corner then you probably have an issue. I would suspect incorrect tyre sizes, pressures, and mixed grip levels upsetting things. Or dirty/faulty sensors. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPhoboS Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 My wheels at present are Front: 225 45 R18 Falken 452s, good tread but uneven wear on inside of both tyres (replacement purchased) Rear: 245 25 R18 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric 2 XL MFS (New on, possibly the difference from front to back could be a factor?) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Payco Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Check that you haven't got Warwick Davies in your footwell playing silly buggers.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Don't mix tyres, you get some very odd handling traits. Pop some F1s on the front, they're a great tyre. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DP7657 Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 (edited) Haha, yeah, that was a typo 225 45 front and 245 45 rear. Putting the new Eagle F1s on next week so it will be a full new and matching set of disks, pads and tyres all round then. Sam Mcgoo - Definitely wasn't even close to being out of control etc in either event, one was going slowly down a hill at 40 mph, in a straight line (not accelerating). I've had the stability kick in plenty of times before when I've been having a bit of fun but this was something completely different. It was 100% in error on the car's part, not required in the slightest. I have a feeling that the different tyres currently front / back might be a key player, upsetting the stability control then. I didn't realise the stability control applied the brakes though, I guess it has to? In that case, if I turn ESP off for my drive home to get the new tyres fitted, will that disable stability control? I assume so? Obviously I know this isn't advisable but I feel I know this car's handling well enough by now not to worry about spinning out / locking up on a sensible journey home. Rob - Thanks for those links, hadn't seen that thread. More pointing at tread / tyre issues. I hope it's that because that's a very easy fix seeing as I have already bought the new tyres Edited May 14, 2015 by DP7657 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DP7657 Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 (edited) Thanks all for your responses so far! Edited May 13, 2015 by DP7657 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 Haha, yeah, that was a typo 225 25 front and 225 45 rear. Another typo, perchance? You've had an issue with the car where the handling caught you out, but you feel you know the handling of the car well enough to disable the ESP? Would you like to read that back to yourself and ask yourself if you think that's the right thing to do? Just drive there a bit slower and a bit more sensible, to take into account the odd handling you've got, and you'll be okay. I certainly wouldn't be disabling the ESP. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWZ Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 I agree I wouldn't disable the ESP either until you get it fixed! I remember my old 350z was a bit twitchy when the tyres were on 3mm especially Falken FK452 - not a fan of them TBH and wouldn't use them again. And yes, ESP brakes the car, depending on which tyre is slipping is where the brake is applied. From what I remembered, the ESP on the 350z is sensitive, I remember mine coming on sometimes when taking the long sweeping slip lane from the M6 -> M56 at 70mph, that's a bit of an experience I can tell you! Process of elimination this one is, could be tyres, what about the alignment if you've got uneven wear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 I agree I wouldn't disable the ESP either until you get it fixed! I remember my old 350z was a bit twitchy when the tyres were on 3mm especially Falken FK452 - not a fan of them TBH and wouldn't use them again. And yes, ESP brakes the car, depending on which tyre is slipping is where the brake is applied. From what I remembered, the ESP on the 350z is sensitive, I remember mine coming on sometimes when taking the long sweeping slip lane from the M6 -> M56 at 70mph, that's a bit of an experience I can tell you! Process of elimination this one is, could be tyres, what about the alignment if you've got uneven wear? Odd tyre sizes for my money and only occurred since the tyre /wheel swap, the brake replacement is pure coincidence imho. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planetsurfer2 Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 Are all the tyres on rhe right corners? I had a similar issue and I had a back tyre on the front and a front tyre on the back after I swapped to winter tyres. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brillomaster Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 (edited) probably be a good idea to get an alignment when the new front tyres are on - my front tyres had to be replaced prematurely because poor alignment (toe setting) had completely worn away the inside edge, the middle of the tyre still had 4mm of tread. New tyres on and alignment checked, the new fronts have now done 20,000 miles with no uneven wear. Edited May 14, 2015 by brillomaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamdc2 Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 Had new tyres and couldn't get a 4 wheel alignment booked in for a couple of weeks. Once it was done the difference was night and day. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DP7657 Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share Posted May 14, 2015 (edited) Ekona / NWZ - I take your point, but the two times where the ESP kicked in this weekend were both totally in error, the car was not remotely unstable, wasn't been thrown about and got put in to a danger only when the ESP kicked in. It applied brakes harder on the left side (unless this was just my perception due to the road's camber) and almost threw me off the edge of the road. I am not claiming to be the Stig but what I am saying is that at the moment with this error (I think now it must be the tread and uneven wear on the front Falkens compared to the new rear Eagle F1s causing the ESP to not have a clue what's going on) I am safer in the car driving sensibly with the ESP off as opposed to having a confused system applying the brakes on me randomly when I drive my car down the A1 to get the tyres changed. I am definitely not better off with leaving it on at present. Ekona - The car's handling did not catch me out, I did not lose control of the car in any way shape or form, the confused ESP I assume because of they tyre situation caught me out - hence I'm opting for ESP Off for the 2 hour journey home to get the new tyres on. Also, yeah...double typo. Definitely 225 45 front and 245 45 rear Local garage here have just checked over it all (they fitted the new brakes last week): sensors are clean, brake fluid at the max, lines, callipers all good, no leaks, no air and no sensor / computer errors. Must be the tyres I think Edited May 14, 2015 by DP7657 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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