<em>Nissan Murano Z52</em>brake discs: how to select, check and replace

Nissan Murano Z52 — a premium crossover that combines comfort and dynamics. But even the most reliable equipment requires attention to the braking system. Brake discs here experience serious loads: the weight of the car (from 1.9 to 2.1 tons), powerful engine VQ35DE (260 hp) and the often aggressive driving style of the owners. In this article we will look at which discs are suitable for Murano Z52, how to diagnose their wear and when replacement is required - with an emphasis on nuances that are not written about in standard instructions.

Since 2015 (start of sales Z52 in Russia) the model has undergone several updates, but the braking system remains the same: ventilated discs at the front (diameter 320 mm) and solid at the back (diameter 302 mm). Original spare parts from Nissan (articles 40520-5M000 And 40520-5M001) are expensive, but the market offers dozens of alternatives - from budget ABS up to bonus Brembo. We tested 5 popular brands and found which discs guaranteed not to vibrate after 20,000 km, and which ones begin to “lead” after 10,000.

Original brake discs vs analogues: what to choose for Murano Z52

Original wheels from Nissan are produced by the company Akebono (Japan) and are supplied under the manufacturer's articles. Their key advantage is precise balancing and adaptation to the weight of the vehicle. However, the price is steep: a set of 4 discs will cost 45,000–60,000 rubles. Alternatives are 2–3 times cheaper, but not all are suitable for a heavy crossover.

We analyzed owner reviews Murano Z52 on forums (including Drive2 And Nissan-Club.ru) and identified the TOP 5 analogues with the best price/quality ratio:

• 🔹 Brembo (Italy) - article 09.9708.11 (before) / 09.9709.10 (back). Price: ~22,000 rub. per set. Plus: minimal pad wear, no vibrations up to 50,000 km. Minus: require 500 km running-in.
• 🔹 ATE (Germany) - article 24.0122-0199.2 (before) / 24.0120-0120.2 (back). Price: ~18,000 rub. Plus: Soft braking, suitable for aggressive driving. Minus: may rust if not used.
• 🔹 TRW (UK) - article DF4560 (before) / DF4559 (back). Price: ~15,000 rub. Plus: optimal price/quality balance. Minus: resource is 10–15% lower than the original.
• 🔹 Zimmermann (Germany) - article 120.3202.20 (before). Price: ~20,000 rub. behind the front axle. Plus: better resistance to overheating among analogues. Minus: only front discs in the range.
• 🔹 ABS (Netherlands) - article number 58690 (before) / 58689 (back). Price: ~12,000 rub. Plus: budget option. Minus: beats are possible after 20,000 km.

⚠️ Attention: Discs Brembo And Zimmermann have increased thickness (1–2 mm more than the original). This improves heat dissipation, but requires checking the clearance between the disc and the caliper after installation. If installed incorrectly, it is possible pad overheating and accelerated wear.

Signs of brake disc wear: when to replace Murano Z52

The manufacturer recommends checking the brake discs every 30,000 km, but the actual period depends on the driving style. For example, with frequent trips along serpentine roads or towing a trailer, the service life of the disks is reduced by 30–40%. Here are the key symptoms indicating the need for replacement:

• 🚨 Vibration on the steering wheel when braking from a speed >80 km/h. Reason: uneven wear (the disk "slipped" due to overheating).
• 🚨 Creaking or grinding when you lightly press the pedal. This is a signal about critical thinning disc (thickness <18 mm for the front).
• 🚨 Increased braking distance. If stopping from 100 km/h now requires 10–15 meters more, the disc has lost its effectiveness.
• 🚨 Deep grooves or cracks on the work surface. Visible upon visual inspection through the wheel spokes.
• 🚨 Rust around the edges. If corrosion has eaten right through the disc, it may crack under heavy braking.

⚠️ Attention: On Murano Z52 with the system VDC (dynamic control) worn discs can cause ABS false alarms. This occurs due to uneven contact of the pads with the deformed disc. If the indicator on the dashboard comes on SLIP, check the disks first!

For an accurate diagnosis, use micrometer or caliper. Take measurements at 3-4 points around the circumference of the disk. Valid values for Murano Z52:

Parameter	Front disc	Rear disc	Critical wear
Nominal thickness (new)	28 mm	12 mm	—
Minimum thickness	25 mm	10 mm	<25 mm / <10 mm
Maximum runout	0.05 mm	0.04 mm	>0.1 mm
Allowable thickness difference	0.015 mm	0.01 mm	>0.03 mm

Step-by-step instructions: how to replace brake discs with Nissan Murano Z52

Replacing disks with Murano Z52 more difficult than on compact cars due to the weight of the components and the design of the calipers. You will need:

• 🔧 Jack and stops (required! Murano unstable on the jack due to the high center of gravity).
• 🔧 Socket wrench on 17 mm And 19 mm.
• 🔧 Caliper puller (or flat blade screwdriver).
• 🔧 Torque wrench (caliper bolt tightening torque - 100 Nm).
• 🔧 Copper grease for guides.

⚠️ Attention: Before starting work disconnect the battery (remove the minus terminal). On Murano Z52 system VDC may block the calipers when the ignition is on, which will lead to damage to the new discs!

Sequence of actions:

1. Raise the car and remove the wheel. Chock the rear wheels (even if you're working from the front!).
2. Unscrew the caliper: First remove the mounting bolts (2 pieces, tightening torque 100 Nm), then carefully hang the caliper on a wire (do not put pressure on the brake hose!).
3. Remove the brake disc. On Murano Z52 it is fixed with one screw (under Torx T30) - unscrew it. If the disc gets stuck, use a puller or gently tap it through a wooden spacer with a hammer.
4. Clean the hub from rust and apply a thin layer of copper grease to the seat of the new disk.
5. Install a new drive and secure with a screw. Tightening torque - 8 Nm.
6. Assemble the caliper, lubricating the guides. Make sure the pads move freely.
7. Bleed the brakes (press the pedal 5-6 times until resistance appears).

⚠️ Attention: After replacing disks first 200 km Avoid sudden braking. New discs and pads should break in. If a squeak appears during this period, this is normal (it will disappear after break-in).

What should I do if vibration appears after replacing the disks?

Vibration can occur due to:

1) Incorrect balancing of the disk (check the runout with a caliper).

2) Contamination between the hub and the disc (disassemble and clean).

3) Deformation of the caliper (replacement or grooving required).

If the vibration persists, contact a service station to check the suspension geometry - on Murano Z52 This is a common problem after replacing brake discs.

Grooving vs replacement: which is more beneficial for Murano Z52

Grooving discs is cheaper (from 1,500 rub. behind the axis), but is not always advisable. On Murano Z52 groove is possible if:

• 🔧 Disc thickness not less than 26 mm (before) or 11 mm (back).
• 🔧 No deep cracks or chips.
• 🔧 The runout does not exceed 0.1 mm.

However, there are nuances:

• ⚠️ After grooving Disk resource is reduced by 30% - it will reach the minimum thickness faster.
• ⚠️ On Murano Z52 with the system VDC the groove may interfere with the operation of the ABS sensors if the disc becomes thinner 25.5 mm.
• ⚠️ Ventilated discs are machined only on both sides - this increases the cost by up to 3,000 rub. for the axle.

Conclusion: groove is justified if the discs relatively new (travelled <40,000 km) and wear is even. In other cases, it is cheaper and safer to install new ones.

Common mistakes when replacing brake discs Murano Z52

Even experienced technicians make mistakes when working with the brake system. Murano Z52. Here are the most common:

• 🚫 Ignoring caliper guides. If the guides are not lubricated or replaced, the caliper will jam, which will lead to uneven disc wear in 1–2 months.
• 🚫 Retightening the caliper bolts. Tightening torque 100 Nm — excess leads to flange deformation.
• 🚫 Installing discs without cleaning the hub. Rust or dirt between the hub and disc causes beating, which cannot be eliminated by balancing.
• 🚫 Using pads from other models. For example, pads from Nissan Pathfinder R52 They are similar in appearance, but have a different composition of friction material - this reduces the service life of the discs by 20%.
• 🚫 Failure to bleed brakes after replacement. On Murano Z52 this can result in air getting into the system VDC, which leads to ABS failure.

⚠️ Attention: If the light comes on after replacing the disks ABS or VDC OFF, check immediately:

1. Brake fluid level (should be between MIN And MAX).
2. Integrity of the ABS sensor wiring (often rubs against the caliper).
3. The disk is installed correctly (possibly touching the sensor).

How to extend the life of brake discs Nissan Murano Z52

Average life of brake discs Murano Z52 — 60,000–80,000 km, but with proper use it can be increased to 100,000+ km. Here are proven methods:

• 🔥 Avoid prolonged braking at high speed. For example, when going down a mountain, use engine braking (downshift).
• 🔥 Wash your wheels in winter after traveling through salt solutions. Corrosion eats up to 0.5 mm of metal per season.
• 🔥 Check calipers every 10,000 km. Soured guides increase the load on the disk by 1.5 times.
• 🔥 Use premium pads (For example, Brembo P85060N). Cheap pads wear out the disc 2 times faster.
• 🔥 Do not park with the brake pedal depressed. This leads to disk deformation due to local overheating.

⚠️ Attention: On Murano Z52 with mileage >100,000 km often wear out brake hoses. They become brittle and can burst under sudden braking. Check them for cracks every 50,000 km!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about brake discs Nissan Murano Z52

Is it possible to install perforated discs on Murano Z52?

Yes, but with reservations. Perforated discs (eg. Brembo Sport) improve cooling, but:

• 🔸 Pads wear out faster (by 30–40%).
• 🔸 Requires more frequent replacement (resource ~40,000 km).
• 🔸 May cause squeaking at low temperatures.

The best option for the city is serrated discs (For example, ATE PowerDisc). They combine durability and good cooling.

What is the service life of original discs? Nissan?

When driving quietly, the original wheels serve 80,000–100,000 km. However:

• 🔸 In a metropolis (frequent acceleration/braking), the resource is reduced to 50,000–60,000 km.
• 🔸 When towing a trailer (>1 ton) or driving in the mountains - up to 30,000–40,000 km.

We recommend checking the thickness of the rims every 20,000 km.

Which is better: replacing disks in pairs or one at a time?

On Murano Z52 be sure to change disks in pairs on the same axis. Reasons:

• 🔸Different thickness of discs leads to uneven braking and triggering VDC.
• 🔸 The new and old disk wear out at different rates, which causes steering wheel beating.

Exception: if the disk is mechanically damaged (for example, after an accident), only it can be replaced, but then be sure to grind the second disk on this axis to equalize the thickness.

Which wheels are better for winter: perforated or solid?

For winter use Murano Z52 preferred solid wheels. Why:

• 🔸 Perforated discs become covered with ice and snow faster, which reduces braking efficiency.
• 🔸 Solid discs are less susceptible to corrosion (there are no holes where salt gets in).
• 🔸 At low temperatures, perforation can become a source of cracks.

Optimal choice for winter: ATE PowerDisc or original Nissan.

Do I need to bleed the brakes after replacing the discs?

On Murano Z52 bleeding the brakes not required, if:

• 🔸 You did not disconnect the brake hoses.
• 🔸Brake fluid level did not drop below MIN.

However recommended Press the brake pedal 5-6 times after replacing to ensure the pads are in place. If the pedal becomes “soft”, bleeding is required.