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Nissan Primera P12 Front Member & brakes Help

Printed From: Nissan Primera Owners Club
Category: General Open Forums - NO TRADING!
Forum Name: Nissan Primera Help & Queries
Forum Discription: NON Paying Members Q&A Section
URL: http://www.npoc.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71088
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 8:44am


Topic: Nissan Primera P12 Front Member & brakes Help
Posted By: MasterRS
Subject: Nissan Primera P12 Front Member & brakes Help
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2014 at 2:20pm
Hi everyone. I took my car into National Tyres for a free health check and they said that the front cross member needs welding as its corroding and the rear driver side brake is binding. They told me that if the rear driver side brake is just a clean of the brakes that resolves it maybe it'll just be £50 but if its the caliper its £100 alone for the caliper. I just wanted to know i haven't taken them up on their 'estimated quotations' as they claim they can only give me a price once they 'open and look' at everything apparently.
Roughly from the above stated what is a fair price for everything and are these huge major issues that I shouldn't drive the car ?



Replies:
Posted By: redshark1
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2014 at 9:13pm
http://www.npoc.co.uk/forum/nissan-primera-p12-front-crossmember-issue_topic36054_page1.html" rel="nofollow -
 


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See my Nissan Primera P11-144 common faults and fixes guide:


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 5:19pm
Well I've tried to maintain the vehicle as much as I can while I could afford it with services and MOT etc and regular health checks.I did get told there was a lot of corrosion due to its age (12 years old)..From what I understood they were saying it could be welded the front cross member..national were telling me though that they can't give me a guaranteed price until the works done is this normal and would you consider it justified?So the front cross member is a big job and about £400 to fix? The brakes £100..so altogether I'd be looking at £500? I was thinking about upgrading the next year so this has made me think a bit now.. They have a few coupons on their site and offer student discount..I wonder if these would be useful.


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 5:27pm
Hi thanks for the links they helped..but how would i check the cross member corrosion to see if its bad and what would i look for?


Posted By: redshark1
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 8:01pm
On mine I can see bits of the radiator support panel from the front of the car through the grille, from under the bonnet and rather more from underneath the car.
 
With the bumper off it is much much clearer what condition it is in so I would recommend you do this. The garage will not have taken the bumper off so you will have a much better idea than them if you do this.
 
You are looking to see if the corrosion has weakened the panel significantly and to see if the radiator is attached securely at its lower mounting points.
 
If the panel has rotted badly it will need replacing, but do check well as it may be plenty solid enough for a few more years as mine is.
 
I have had the radiator secured with bolts by a good friend on the forum as the radiator brackets had corroded.
 
Here's a view of the bottom of my support panel (where the rot is usually worse) from under bonnet:
http://s257.photobucket.com/user/redshark1/media/FrontCrossmember1502105.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">
 
The brakes will cost you £150 (£100 for caliper and £50 labour) if there is nothing more needed than a new caliper.
 
In my experience job estimates only go upwards which is why I do as much work myself as I can. Its often impossible to say exactly what will need doing and how long it will take but most garages will give an estimate and update you if they need to do more work if you tell them they need your authorisation before more work can go ahead.
 
Here is a pic of a new radiator support panel going in:
http://s257.photobucket.com/user/redshark1/media/Crossmember008_zps5b4a0083.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">


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See my Nissan Primera P11-144 common faults and fixes guide:


Posted By: p11primeragt
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 8:25pm
Very common area to rust on a lot of Nissans.

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Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 8:49pm
I see thank you so much for the help. So i'd be looking at the back or the front of the vehicle for rust? From what I understood the radiator is at the front right? I'm debating wether to leave these 'health check warnings' until next year and sell the car or get them done to be honest..


Posted By: redshark1
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 9:01pm
Front of car, yes!
 
What you need to do is check them yourself as I described above and then you can make the judgement. Pretty simple really.
 
Or, you need a friend to check them out.
 
Or, you need a mechanic you know and trust.
 
Or, you are in the hands of a garage that may well do what is in your interest but I have found that some do what is in their interest and charge accordingly.
 
But I'd say you need your brake sorting asap if it is binding as it will only get worse.
 
You could always get the garage to show you the binding brake and corroded support panel and see if you agree!


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See my Nissan Primera P11-144 common faults and fixes guide:


Posted By: p11primeragt
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 9:02pm
Front end,directly under the radiator.

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Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 9:04pm
The brakes for £150 I'll get done definitely, as I did what you said about circulating the wheel and they were making a noise (rear brakes) and thats clearly a question of safety. I'm going to check this corrosion however tomorrow and upload pics for you guys opinion? Will you help me? Just am no good at DIY..thanks


Posted By: p11primeragt
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 9:43pm
Yep get some pics up and will tell you on condition of rad support etc is in.

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Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2014 at 12:01am
Okay will it have to be the underneath of the radiator, just i don't have any way of getting underneath really am thinking about that now unless I park it on a curb maybe?


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2014 at 4:57pm
Originally posted by redshark1 redshark1 wrote:

Front of car, yes!
 
What you need to do is check them yourself as I described above and then you can make the judgement. Pretty simple really.
 
Or, you need a friend to check them out.
 
Or, you need a mechanic you know and trust.
 
Or, you are in the hands of a garage that may well do what is in your interest but I have found that some do what is in their interest and charge accordingly.
 
But I'd say you need your brake sorting asap if it is binding as it will only get worse.
 
You could always get the garage to show you the binding brake and corroded support panel and see if you agree!

Well i've had a look at the engine and I bopped my head underneath the car and to be honest i can see corrosion starting to occur but nothing that looks like a radiators going to drop to me..went underneath the car too and again couldn't see much rust. I'm going to upload some pictures, hopefully they capture what you need to get to as it was difficult to photograph but if i need more am sure you guys will point me in the right direction. But my mainframe was also the same about getting national to show me the binding brake and corroded support panel..espically as then i could take a pic and tell them i'll think about it when really i'll report back here.



Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2014 at 5:04pm
Originally posted by MasterRS MasterRS wrote:

Originally posted by redshark1 redshark1 wrote:

Front of car, yes!
 
What you need to do is check them yourself as I described above and then you can make the judgement. Pretty simple really.
 
Or, you need a friend to check them out.
 
Or, you need a mechanic you know and trust.
 
Or, you are in the hands of a garage that may well do what is in your interest but I have found that some do what is in their interest and charge accordingly.
 
But I'd say you need your brake sorting asap if it is binding as it will only get worse.
 
You could always get the garage to show you the binding brake and corroded support panel and see if you agree!

Well i've had a look at the engine and I bopped my head underneath the car and to be honest i can see corrosion starting to occur but nothing that looks like a radiators going to drop to me..went underneath the car too and again couldn't see much rust. I'm going to upload some pictures, hopefully they capture what you need to get to as it was difficult to photograph but if i need more am sure you guys will point me in the right direction. But my mainframe was also the same about getting national to show me the binding brake and corroded support panel..espically as then i could take a pic and tell them i'll think about it when really i'll report back here.


I don trust national anyway they tried to tell me that you can buy a summer tyre now and it'll be fine all year round PMSL


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2014 at 5:11pm
http://s9.postimg.org/6aahw83xb/photo_5.jpg

http://s28.postimg.org/i44lt1bod/photo_4.jpg

http://s29.postimg.org/muj442hdj/photo_5.jpg




Posted By: redshark1
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2014 at 5:25pm
I cannot see the rad support panel on any of those pics. This is what I see:
1. View of underbonnet
2. View to drivers side of engine including alternator
3. View of underbonnet (the same as 1.)
 
Well done for checking on the brakes tho.


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See my Nissan Primera P11-144 common faults and fixes guide:


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2014 at 5:31pm
http://s4.postimg.org/bow0kux5p/photo_5.jpg

http://postimg.org/image/5tqt0b8m1/" rel="nofollow">

http://postimg.org/image/8cci0zuc9/" rel="nofollow">




Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2014 at 5:32pm
am uploading now..if am wrong can someone give me help of where i need to take a photo? thanks


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2014 at 5:36pm
http://postimg.org/image/ptsldb1dp/" rel="nofollow">

http://postimg.org/image/e0us934xp/" rel="nofollow">

http://postimg.org/image/txtk5sxbx/" rel="nofollow">

http://postimg.org/image/9cesdwfr1/" rel="nofollow">

http://postimg.org/image/v3xk4llml/" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2014 at 5:37pm
Originally posted by redshark1 redshark1 wrote:

I cannot see the rad support panel on any of those pics. This is what I see:
1. View of underbonnet
2. View to drivers side of engine including alternator
3. View of underbonnet (the same as 1.)
 
Well done on the brakes tho.

the brakes? why have you spotted something on the brakes? I haven't had the binding brakes looked at or done yet but am going to get it done..i had a good look underneath and above the area you sent a pic of and tried to get pics too of the same and i can see rust on it but it doesn't look too bad to me..


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2014 at 7:53am
????


Posted By: imckay
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2014 at 8:07pm
Look at the link Redshark gave you on page 1
It shows clearly where the crossmember is.

http://www.npoc.co.uk/forum/nissan-primera-p12-front-crossmember-issue_topic36054_page1.html


Posted By: redshark1
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2014 at 8:57pm
Have a read of this post there's lots of pics showing you whats what! Thumbs Up
 
http://www.npoc.co.uk/forum/nissan-primera-p12-cross-member_topic61070_page2.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.npoc.co.uk/forum/nissan-primera-p12-cross-member_topic61070_page2.html


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See my Nissan Primera P11-144 common faults and fixes guide:


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 12:46am
hi thanks for that post..so when i open the boot up i need to take a pic of bang in the middle?


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 12:47am
I think I've seen that part your referring to but its in the middle and further down is that right? Its not as rusted as that one in that thread..


Posted By: p11primeragt
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 8:45pm
Originally posted by MasterRS MasterRS wrote:

hi thanks for that post..so when i open the boot up i need to take a pic of bang in the middle?

You don't need to lift the boot! That's the rear of the car...The rad support is at the front of the car. 


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Posted By: p11primeragt
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 8:47pm
Originally posted by MasterRS MasterRS wrote:

I think I've seen that part your referring to but its in the middle and further down is that right? Its not as rusted as that one in that thread..

Yep low down towards the center directly under the radiator towards the front of the engine bay.


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Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 11:11pm
hi sorry i meant that. I did see that part and it was in some of the other pictures i posted, it has got rust on it but doesn't seem to me like its so rusted it'll fall apart. 



Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2014 at 1:01pm
Well I found a mechanic through Facebook who works from home and is a mobile mechanic. well he said basically National were lieing - the front radiator support panel yes it does have rust which is slightly peeling off but its not severe and theres enough support that your radiator wouldn't just fall off, so in his opinion don't replace it and it doesn't need doing. The back brakes that National said were both 'binding' well one of them wasn't binding at all and the driver side one was binding as the piston is catching in the brake caliper, so he took it apart cleaned it, copper silled it and basically then refitted it. Can't recommend him enough! I then watched and it wasn't catching nowhere as much as before. He obviously told me that eventually i will need to replace the caliper but this should fix it for a good 6 months. All in all a good £40 spent as I was worried about using a mechanic who visits you at home but he is really good tbf


Posted By: p11primeragt
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2014 at 7:52pm
Can't complain at just 40 quid to your place also,bet your well pleased mate.

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Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2014 at 8:50pm
Yeah I am :) and yeah he's a nice guy to be fair. I've also sourced a driver side brake caliper set including the piston and postage for £40 new on eBay. Just a bit unsure now as to when to get it replaced, he said it all depends on how much I drive it and when it starts binding again but now he's copper oil'd it up it'll help a lot. The piston was still sticking a bit but the movement of the wheel was 60% better after everything he did.


Posted By: redshark1
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2014 at 9:50pm
I'd get it replaced. From my experience you would be only delaying the inevitable.
 
Once its sticking it seems hard to stop it happening again without replacement of the whole caliper or dismantling and replacement of the piston.
 
It's better to stop the caliper sticking in the first place through regular maintenance.
 
Great move on your part to source a decent mechanic. Thumbs Up


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See my Nissan Primera P11-144 common faults and fixes guide:


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2014 at 2:14pm
Yeah tbf redshank the mechanic did tell me its just a 'temporary fix' and he can't put an exact timeframe on when it'll go again and he did warn me it will eventually start re-binding fully as this is just a temp solution. I'll have to ask him what the labour cost/charge he'd give would be. Although he was here for 1 hour 30 mins last time and charged me 40 pound.


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2014 at 2:16pm
Also eBay have new for 59 pound or for 40 pound i can get a second hand one..is a second hand one more likely to have the same issue after time..or? jw your thoughts


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2014 at 2:23pm
I copied and pasted what you put to the mechanic redshank and he said this:

yeah it depends on how long it lasts as it is, its a bit of a lottery as its impossible to gauge how far gone it is, but its entirely up to you. personally until it starts binding again I would leave it, but its your call at the end of the day


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2014 at 6:46pm
To fit the caliper I'll do it for same price mate, it will need bleeding so I'll include price of brake fluid too
https://www.facebook.com/5h1ll" rel="nofollow">
So 40 all in if you source caliper with piston


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2014 at 6:46pm
:) £40 for fitting + £40 for caliper if i get one second hand :D


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2014 at 4:51pm
do you guys think thats good?


Posted By: redshark1
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2014 at 7:02pm
You need a reconditioned caliper.

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See my Nissan Primera P11-144 common faults and fixes guide:


Posted By: imckay
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2014 at 7:09pm
Reasonable price for labour.
Personally, I would go for a new or refurbished caliper.

Redshank? Best get some cream for thatNorm


Posted By: redshark1
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2014 at 9:35pm
Mine was £48 from carfactorsuk via eBay and they refund you a bit back if you send in your old caliper afterwards for refurbishment.

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See my Nissan Primera P11-144 common faults and fixes guide:


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2014 at 9:29pm
Oh wow red shark that seems a good price!!
Like why remanufactured over new?


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2014 at 9:30pm
Also the mechanic said he's have to bleed the brakes to fit the caliper is that right ?


Posted By: timeshock!
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2014 at 9:41pm
The old calliper will have to be removed from the brake pipe which will be clamped therefore when the pipe is re-attached to the refurb it will need to be bled


Posted By: redshark1
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2014 at 10:09pm
^^and fitting a reconditioned caliper and bleeding the brake is a piss-easy job - I just did it myself last month - see pic below! 
 
A rebuilt/refurbished/remanufactured/re(insertyourpreferednounhere) caliper is like new except the cost is much less.
 
http://s257.photobucket.com/user/redshark1/media/WP_000030-Copy_zpsaf6a60d4.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">


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See my Nissan Primera P11-144 common faults and fixes guide:


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2014 at 7:13pm
Thanks I'll get him to do it then as 40 quid isn't bad. I just wanted to check bleeding the brakes is common practise for this procedure (my paranoia.)
The other thing I wanted to know was as I got told the front cross member is corroding (although my mechanic says it's just Peeling rust not major ) well national told me they could weld it in? Is that common practise and is it a easy job as was thinking about asking my mechanic to do it


Posted By: timeshock!
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2014 at 8:00pm
Yes it is a welding job, the bumper will have to come off, the radiator and aircon, the main engine support member detached. There is a ton of info on here about it have a look.
If it is not ready to be done and it does not sound as if it is then leave it alone.
 
Have a look here for a starter for ten
 
http://www.npoc.co.uk/forum/nissan-primera-p12-cross-member_topic61070.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.npoc.co.uk/forum/nissan-primera-p12-cross-member_topic61070.html
 
 


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2014 at 10:59pm
Yeah mechanic last time said same tbf as you time shock and he told me doesn't need doing


Posted By: redshark1
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2014 at 8:27am

Don't get caliper repair kit or second hand caliper get a reconditioned caliper Thumbs Up.

The ideal thing to do with the radiator support panel would be to rustproof it but otherwise leave it until it has to be replaced. You don't know if you'll need to replace it.


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See my Nissan Primera P11-144 common faults and fixes guide:


Posted By: p11primeragt
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2014 at 6:25pm
+1 on the recon caliper...a recon caliper is likely to last a long time before any problems start with it.But if you chance getting a used caliper then you should properly clean it up or you're more likely to have a problem with it sooner or later.

As for the rad support,completely remove any rust first then treat with kurust etc,then prime/paint ie topcoat and finish off with  underseal etc.


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Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2014 at 6:56pm
okay haven't managed to find any reconditioned calipers on eBay? I need it for drivers side rear, as that the caliper that binding. 
I'll ask this mechanic if he does rust work and if he does i'll ask him to treat it. All he did was looked underneath at that rad support panel and he said yeah i can see its peeling and is rusting but I wouldn't worry about changing it yet. I'm sure rust proofing it isn't a big job so hopefully he won't charge me much more


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2014 at 6:57pm
is there some secret site i shud be looking for re-con callipers? haha


Posted By: redshark1
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2014 at 7:36pm
I told you in my post above Wink.

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See my Nissan Primera P11-144 common faults and fixes guide:


Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2014 at 8:28pm
Weird my phone didn't bring that up!! Sorry missed it. Thanks redshank. I've noticed another fault with my Primera today..unsure how its happened but anyones opinion would be appreciated.Well took the car to have it washed and notice the water was rushing through one panel. The driver side rear door, well if water comes in near the window it leaks straight through the panel..All the way to underneath the vehicle..any ideas on how this happens and if its a easy job to fix?


Posted By: p11primeragt
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2014 at 8:31pm
A window seal or door seal may not be water tight or the window is not fully closed.Carefully check the rubber seals for any signs of deterioration. 

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Posted By: MasterRS
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2014 at 1:44am
yeah i think its the window seal from what I've worked out..whats a solution?


Posted By: p11primeragt
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2014 at 6:28pm
You could try running a little sealer behind it in the area where it's directly leaking from.

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