🔧 Altima - Front Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the front brake pads on your Altima means removing the front wheels, opening the brake calipers, swapping the pads, and reinstalling everything correctly. Front pads should be replaced in pairs so both front brakes stop evenly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface only. Never rely on a jack by itself.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands before putting any part of your body near the wheel area.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air.
• ⚠️ The front brake caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads onto the rotor. Do not let it hang by the rubber brake hose.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this front brake pad replacement.
• ⚠️ Your Altima uses a rear parking brake system, so no EPB service mode is needed for the front pads.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm lug nut socket
• 14mm socket
• Ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Flat-blade screwdriver medium
• C-clamp 6-inch
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Brake cleaner aerosol
• Wire brush small
• Bungee cord 24-inch
• Floor jack 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands 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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Disc brake caliper grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• ✅ Park your Altima on level ground and shift to Park.
• ✅ Apply the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind both rear wheels.
• ✅ Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir. Brake fluid may rise when the caliper piston is pushed back.
• ✅ If the brake fluid is already at the MAX line, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the pistons.
• ✅ Do one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.

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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 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 them yet.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front of the Car

• Use a floor jack 2-ton minimum at the front center jacking point or the approved side pinch weld lift point.
• Place jack stands 2-ton minimum under the front side support points.
• Gently lower your Altima onto the jack stands and give the car a small shake to confirm it is stable.
• Keep the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheel

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove the wheel and set it flat under the side of the car as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Look at the brake rotor, caliper, and rubber brake hose before removing anything.
• The brake rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel. It should not have deep grooves, cracks, or heavy blue heat marks.
• If the rotor is badly scored or warped, replace or resurface it before installing new pads.

Step 5: Remove the Lower Caliper Bolt

• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to remove the lower front brake caliper slide pin bolt.
• A slide pin lets the caliper move smoothly as the pads wear.
• Hold the caliper steady by hand while removing the bolt.

Step 6: Swing the Caliper Up

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver medium to gently pry the caliper away from the pads if it feels tight.
• Swing the caliper upward like opening a lid.
• Use a bungee cord 24-inch to support the caliper from the strut spring.
• Do not stretch, twist, or pull on the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver medium if the pads are stuck in the bracket.
• Remove the stainless pad hardware clips from the bracket by hand or with the flat-blade screwdriver medium.
• The hardware clips are thin metal guides that help the pads slide quietly and evenly.

Step 8: Clean the Caliper Bracket Contact Areas

• Use brake cleaner aerosol to clean the bracket where the hardware clips sit.
• Use a wire brush small to remove rust and dirt from the pad contact areas.
• Do not spray brake cleaner on painted body panels.
• Tip: Clean sliding surfaces prevent brake noise.

Step 9: Install New Brake Hardware

• Press the new front brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of disc brake caliper grease to the pad contact points on the hardware clips.
• Do not get grease on the rotor surface or the friction face of the pads.

Step 10: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• 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 under the hood while compressing the piston.
• If the fluid approaches the top, stop and remove a small amount before continuing.
• Tip: Go slowly to protect seals.

Step 11: Install the New Front Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer front brake pad set into the bracket by hand.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• If a wear indicator tab is included, install the pads in the same orientation as the original pads.
• The wear indicator is a small metal tab that squeals when pads are worn low.

Step 12: Lower the Caliper and Install the Bolt

• Remove the bungee cord 24-inch and carefully swing the caliper down over the new pads.
• Use the 14mm socket and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to install the lower caliper slide pin bolt.
• Use a torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the caliper slide pin bolt to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Front Side

• Move to the other front wheel and repeat Steps 3 through 12.
• Use the same 14mm socket, flat-blade screwdriver medium, C-clamp 6-inch, and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive.
• Always replace front pads in pairs.

Step 14: Reinstall the Wheels

• Install each wheel by hand and thread the lug nuts on by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Do not fully torque the lug nuts while the car is still in the air.

Step 15: Lower the Car and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack 2-ton minimum to raise the car slightly and remove the jack stands 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Altima until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Tighten the wheel lug nuts to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times.
• The pedal will feel soft at first, then become firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the brake pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and adjust it to the correct range on the reservoir.
• ✅ Start the engine and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm and consistent.
• ✅ Test the brakes at very low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless it is an emergency.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive using the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$420 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $175-$300 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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