🔧 Altima - Front Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

You’ll replace the front brake pads and rotors on your Altima to restore smooth, quiet stopping. The rotor is the metal disc behind the wheel, and the brake pads are the friction blocks that squeeze it to stop the car.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work only on level, solid ground.
• ⚠️ Never work under or beside a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Do not let the brake caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can irritate your lungs and eyes. Use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required.
• ⚠️ No electronic parking brake service mode is needed for the front brakes on your Altima.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm lug nut socket
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• 3/8-inch torque wrench
• 1/2-inch torque wrench
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Disc brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on a flat surface and shift to Park.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires. Wheel chocks are wedges that keep the car from rolling.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If the fluid is at the MAX line, remove a small amount before pushing the pistons back.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to an exact tightness so they do not loosen or break.
• A brake caliper piston compressor tool pushes the caliper piston back so the new, thicker pads fit.

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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 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen each front wheel lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this before lifting the car so the wheels cannot spin.
• Loosen only, do not remove.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the front of your Altima at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the front side support points.
• Lower the car gently onto the jack stands.
• Lightly push the vehicle by hand to make sure it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels.
• Slide the wheels flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Remove the Caliper Slide Pin Bolts

• Look behind the brake caliper and find the two smaller slide pin bolts.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove both bolts.
• The caliper is the clamp-shaped part that sits over the rotor.

Step 5: Remove and Support the Caliper

• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the caliper loose if it does not slide off easily.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the front strut spring.
• Do not stretch or twist the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Pull the inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• If stuck, use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry them out.
• Take a quick photo first if you want an easy reference for reassembly.

Step 7: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Find the two large bolts holding the caliper bracket to the steering knuckle.
• Use a 19mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to remove both bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it aside.

Step 8: Remove the Old Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the wheel hub by hand.
• If it is stuck from rust, tap the center hat area of the rotor with a rubber mallet.
• Do not hit the wheel studs.

Step 9: Clean the Hub Surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the flat wheel hub surface.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray.
• Wipe clean with shop towels.
• This helps prevent brake vibration after the repair.

Step 10: Install the New Rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray.
• Wipe both sides dry with shop towels.
• Slide the new rotor onto the wheel studs.
• Thread one lug nut on by hand to hold the rotor flat while you work.

Step 11: Replace the Brake Hardware

• Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the old metal pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean the areas where the clips sit.
• Install the new clips from the front brake hardware kit by pressing them into place by hand.
• These clips help the pads slide smoothly and reduce noise.

Step 12: Grease the Slide Pins

• Pull the caliper slide pins out of the bracket by hand.
• Wipe them clean with shop towels.
• Apply a thin layer of disc brake caliper slide pin grease.
• Push the pins back in and make sure they move smoothly.
• Use only brake-safe grease.

Step 13: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Place the caliper bracket back over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand first.
• Use a 19mm socket and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 157 Nm (116 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer brake pads into the new hardware clips by hand.
• The friction material must face the rotor.
• Make sure the pads can move slightly in the clips and are not jammed.

Step 15: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir so it does not overflow.
• Go slowly to avoid forcing fluid back too quickly.

Step 16: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and place the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 17: Repeat the Other Side

• Repeat the same steps on the other front brake.
• Use the same tools and torque specs.
• Always replace front pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 18: Reinstall the Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut from the rotor.
• Install each front wheel.
• Thread the lug nuts on by hand first.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 19: Lower and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the vehicle slightly.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower the tires to the ground.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

Step 20: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Do not drive if the pedal stays soft or goes to the floor.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and correct it if needed.
• ✅ Start the engine and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area first.
• ✅ Make several gentle stops to confirm smooth braking.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after your first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$400 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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🎯 Ready to get started?

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