🔧 Altima - Front Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the front brake pads on your Altima. Brake pads wear down over time and should be replaced before the metal backing touches the rotors.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands before putting your hands near the wheels or brakes.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Front brake pads must be replaced as a set on both front wheels.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid may rise in the reservoir when caliper pistons are pushed back. Do not let it overflow.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this front brake pad replacement.

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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
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm open-end wrench
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• C-clamp 6-inch
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Flathead screwdriver medium
• Brake cleaner spray
• Wire brush small
• Catch pan
• 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 hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake pad anti-squeal lubricant - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Altima on level ground and shift to Park.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🧤 Put on safety glasses and gloves.
• 🧴 Open the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood. Lay a clean rag around it to catch any overflow.
• 🔍 A caliper is the clamp-shaped brake part that squeezes the pads against the rotor.
• 🔍 A rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Lug Nuts

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

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of the Car

• Use the floor jack at the front center lifting point or approved front side pinch weld lift point.
• Place jack stands under the approved front support points.
• Slowly lower the Altima onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket 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: Inspect the Brake Setup

• Look at the caliper, rotor, brake hose, and pad position before taking anything apart.
• Use the flathead screwdriver carefully between the old outer pad and rotor to create a little space.
• This makes the caliper easier to slide off.

Step 5: Remove the Lower Caliper Bolt

• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the lower caliper slide pin bolt.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with the 17mm open-end wrench while turning the bolt with the 14mm socket.
• Set the bolt somewhere clean.

Step 6: Swing the Caliper Up

• Use your hands to swing the caliper upward on the upper slide pin.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• If needed, rest it carefully on the caliper bracket.
• Protect the brake hose from twisting.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Use your hands or the medium flathead screwdriver to slide the old inner and outer pads out of the bracket.
• Pay attention to how the wear indicator tab is positioned.
• The wear indicator is a small metal tab that squeals when pads are worn.

Step 8: Remove and Clean the Brake Hardware

• Use the flathead screwdriver to remove the old stainless pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• Use the wire brush to clean the bracket areas where the clips sit.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray and catch runoff with the catch pan.
• Brake hardware clips help the pads slide smoothly and quietly.

Step 9: Install the New Brake Hardware

• Use your hands to snap the new front brake hardware clips into the caliper bracket.
• Make sure each clip sits flat and fully seated.
• Apply a thin layer of brake pad anti-squeal lubricant only where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not get grease or lubricant on the rotor or pad friction surface.

Step 10: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the 6-inch C-clamp or brake caliper piston compression tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while doing this.
• If fluid gets close to overflowing, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool if available.
• Go slowly to protect the seals.

Step 11: Install the New Brake Pads

• Use your hands to slide the new inner and outer pads into the caliper bracket.
• Make sure the pad friction material faces the rotor.
• Install the wear indicator in the same general position as the original pad.
• The pads should move smoothly in the clips without forcing them.

Step 12: Lower the Caliper

• Use your hands to swing the caliper down over the new pads.
• If it does not fit, use the C-clamp or brake caliper piston compression tool to compress the piston a little more.
• Do not force the caliper over the pads.

Step 13: Reinstall the Lower Caliper Bolt

• Start the lower caliper bolt by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the bolt.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with the 17mm open-end wrench.
• Use the 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the caliper slide pin bolt to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Repeat on the Other Front Side

• Use the same tools and steps on the opposite front wheel.
• Replace the pads and hardware on both front sides before driving.
• Brakes must match side-to-side.

Step 15: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Use your hands to place each wheel back onto the hub.
• Start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 16: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

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

Step 17: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly several times.
• The pedal will go low at first, then become firm.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

Step 18: Check Brake Fluid Level

• Use your eyes to check the brake fluid level at the reservoir.
• Add DOT 3 brake fluid only if the level is below the MIN mark.
• Reinstall the reservoir cap securely by hand.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the Altima and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm.
• ✅ Check around both front calipers for fluid leaks.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and test the brakes at low speed first.
• ✅ Bed in the pads by making several gentle stops from moderate speed, then let the brakes cool.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 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: $220-$380 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $175-$260 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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