🔧 Altima - Front Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the front brake pads and rotors on your Altima. Worn pads or warped rotors can cause squeaking, vibration while braking, longer stopping distance, or grinding.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and never rely on a jack alone. Always support your Altima with jack stands.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air. Use brake cleaner instead.
• ⚠️ Front brake parts may be hot if the vehicle was recently driven. Let them cool before starting.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid damages paint. Keep rags nearby and wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this front brake job.
• ⚠️ Electronic parking brake service mode is not required for the front brakes.

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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
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 6-inch socket extension
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaning brush
• Micrometer or brake rotor thickness gauge (specialty)
• Brake cleaner spray nozzle
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

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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
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• Synthetic brake lubricant - Qty: 1 tube

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level ground, shift to Park, and apply the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind both rear tires. Wheel chocks are wedges that stop the vehicle from rolling.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir near the driver-side rear of the engine bay.
• Check the brake fluid level. If it is near MAX, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the calipers.
• Leave the brake fluid cap loosely installed while compressing the calipers so pressure can vent.
• Replace front brake pads and rotors in pairs. Do both front sides during the same repair.

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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 drive breaker bar to loosen the front wheel lug nuts about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Tip: Do not remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of your Altima at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the approved front side support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working underneath or near the wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use a 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 vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses, nitrile gloves, and a dust mask.
• Use brake cleaner and shop rags to lightly clean the caliper, bracket, and rotor area.
• Look for torn rubber boots, brake fluid leaks, uneven pad wear, or heavy rust.
• If brake fluid is leaking, stop the repair and fix the leak before driving.

Step 5: Remove the Caliper Slide Pin Bolts

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the two front caliper slide pin bolts.
• The slide pins let the caliper move side-to-side so both pads squeeze evenly.
• If a pin spins while loosening, hold the pin with a suitable wrench while using the 14mm socket.

Step 6: Lift Off and Support the Caliper

• Use a flathead screwdriver carefully between the old pad and rotor to gently create a little clearance.
• Slide the caliper off the rotor by hand.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension spring or strut using a bungee cord.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry out the old metal pad clips from the bracket.
• These clips are called abutment clips. They are small metal guides that help the pads slide smoothly.

Step 8: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use a 19mm socket, 6-inch socket extension, and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Set the caliper bracket aside on a clean surface.
• These bolts are tight from the factory, so use the 1/2-inch drive breaker bar if needed.

Step 9: 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 controlled blows using a shop-safe striking tool if available.
• Do not strike the wheel studs.
• Tip: Rust often holds the rotor in place.

Step 10: Clean the Wheel Hub

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face where the rotor sits.
• Use brake cleaner and shop rags to wipe the hub clean.
• The hub face must be smooth so the new rotor sits flat and does not cause brake pedal vibration.

Step 11: Clean and Install the New Rotor

• Use brake cleaner and shop rags to clean both braking surfaces of the new rotor.
• Slide the new rotor onto the wheel hub by hand.
• Install one lug nut by hand to hold the rotor flat while you work.

Step 12: Clean and Prepare the Caliper Bracket

• Use a brake parts cleaning brush and wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new brake hardware clips by hand until they sit fully flat.
• Apply a thin layer of synthetic brake lubricant to the pad contact points on the clips.
• Do not put lubricant on the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 13: 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, 6-inch socket extension, and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 165 Nm (122 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the brake caliper compression tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• A caliper compression tool presses the piston inward so the thicker new pads fit over the rotor.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston so it does not overflow.
• If fluid rises too high, remove some safely with a clean suction tool.

Step 15: Install the New Brake Pads

• Apply a thin layer of synthetic brake lubricant to the pad backing plate contact areas only.
• Install the inner and outer brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should slide smoothly in the new clips without being forced.

Step 16: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and carefully lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 17: Repeat on the Other Front Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 16 on the opposite front wheel.
• Use the same tools and the same torque values.
• Always replace front brake pads and rotors as a left-and-right pair.

Step 18: Reinstall the Wheels

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

Step 19: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

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

Step 20: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back into position against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the brake pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the brake fluid reservoir and adjust the level to the proper range if needed.
• Reinstall and tighten the brake fluid reservoir cap by hand.
• Start your Altima and press the brake pedal again. It should stay firm and not sink to the floor.
• Test braking at very low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• Perform a gentle brake break-in: make 8-10 moderate stops from about 30-40 mph, allowing time between stops for cooling.
• Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless it is an emergency.
• After the test drive, recheck for noises, fluid leaks, burning smells, or wheel heat that seems excessive.

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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 1.5-2.5 hours.

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