🔧 Altima - Front Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the front brake pads and front brake rotors on your Altima. The pads create the stopping friction, and the rotors are the metal discs the pads clamp onto.

Difficulty Level: Beginner-Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool vehicle. Brake parts can get very hot after driving.
• ⚠️ Support the Altima with jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves. Brake dust and metal edges can irritate skin and eyes.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint. Wipe spills immediately with clean water.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this front brake repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp 6-inch
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Brake cleaner aerosol can
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Bungee cord
• Small pry bar
• Brake grease brush
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Front brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Disc brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on flat, solid ground.
• Place the transmission in Park and set the parking brake.
• Put wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Wheel chocks are wedges that stop the car from rolling.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir on the driver-side rear area of the engine bay.
• Check the brake fluid level. If it is near the MAX line, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the caliper pistons.
• Front brakes on your Altima do not require electronic parking brake service mode.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each front lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still on the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front of the Car

• Use the floor jack at the front center jacking point or the approved front side pinch weld lift point.
• Place jack stands under the front pinch weld support points.
• Lower the Altima gently onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Give the car a light shake by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and place them flat under the side of the car as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Remove the Caliper Slide Pin Bolts

• Turn the steering wheel to give yourself better access to the brake caliper.
• The caliper is the clamp-shaped part that holds the brake pads around the rotor.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts on the back of the caliper.
• Hold the slide pin steady with a wrench if it spins while loosening the bolt.

Step 5: Lift Off the Caliper

• Use a flathead screwdriver or small pry bar to gently wiggle the caliper loose.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the front strut spring or suspension area.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• If they are stuck, use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry them out.
• Notice how the pad wear indicator is positioned before removal. The wear indicator is the small metal tab that squeals when pads are worn.

Step 7: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• The caliper bracket is the metal frame bolted around the rotor.
• Use a 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• If the bolts are tight, use the breaker bar 1/2-inch drive carefully.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it on a clean surface.

Step 8: Remove the Old Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the wheel hub by hand.
• If it is stuck from rust, tap around the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• Do not hit the wheel studs with the mallet.
• Rust can hold the rotor tightly.

Step 9: Clean the Hub Surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and dirt from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner aerosol can and shop towels to wipe the hub clean.
• The new rotor must sit flat against the hub to prevent brake vibration.

Step 10: Prepare the New Rotor

• Use brake cleaner aerosol can and shop towels to clean both sides of the new rotor.
• New rotors often have protective oil on them to stop rust during storage.
• Slide the new rotor onto the wheel studs.
• Thread one lug nut on by hand using the 21mm lug nut socket to hold the rotor in place.

Step 11: Clean and Rebuild the Caliper Bracket

• Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the old metal brake hardware clips from the caliper bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean the bracket where the clips sit.
• Install the new clips from the front brake hardware kit by pressing them into place by hand.
• Use a brake grease brush to apply a thin layer of disc brake lubricant to the pad contact points on the clips.
• Do not get grease on the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Place the caliper bracket back over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 19mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

Step 13: Compress the Caliper Piston

• The caliper piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the inner brake pad.
• Place one old brake pad against the piston face.
• Use a C-clamp 6-inch or brake caliper piston compression tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. Stop if fluid rises too close to the top.
• Compress slowly to protect the brake system seals.

Step 14: Install the New Brake Pads

• Use a brake grease brush to apply a thin layer of disc brake lubricant to the brake pad ears only.
• The pad ears are the small metal tabs that slide into the caliper bracket clips.
• Install the inner and outer brake pads into the bracket by hand.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• Do not put grease on the friction side of the pads.

Step 15: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and lower the caliper over the new pads.
• If it does not fit, use the C-clamp 6-inch or brake caliper piston compression tool to compress the piston a little more.
• Start both caliper slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 15 on the other front brake.
• Always replace front brake pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 17: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor using the 21mm lug nut socket.
• Install the front wheels by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 18: Lower the Car and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the Altima slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle fully to the ground with the floor jack.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

Step 19: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before starting or driving, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back out against the new pads.
• If the pedal stays soft or sinks, do not drive.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the brake fluid level and make sure it is between MIN and MAX.
• Start the Altima and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm.
• Test drive slowly in a safe area before normal driving.
• Listen for scraping, grinding, or clunking noises.
• Perform a brake bedding procedure: make 8-10 moderate stops from about 35 mph to 5 mph, allowing 30-60 seconds between stops.
• Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$370 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

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