🔧 Murano - Front Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll be removing the front calipers, swapping the old pads for new ones, and compressing the caliper pistons so everything fits back together. Worn pads reduce stopping power and can damage the rotors if they get too thin.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support your Murano on jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves; brake dust and cleaner are harsh.
• 🔥 Brakes can be hot; let them cool before touching.
• 🧷 Do not let the caliper hang by the hose; support it with a hanger.
• 🧴 Brake fluid can overflow when compressing pistons; keep rags handy and don’t spill on paint.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for front pads.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Flat trim/pry tool
• C-clamp (6" minimum)
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaner spray
• Bungee cord
• Shop rags
• 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 (abutment clips) - Qty: 1
• Disc brake lubricant (high-temp silicone/ceramic) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the vehicle off, and place the shifter in P.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir so you can monitor the fluid level while compressing pistons.
• If your reservoir is very full, remove a small amount with a clean rag (do not contaminate the fluid).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the front wheel lug nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen lug nuts about 1/2 turn while the tire is still on the ground.

Step 2: Lift and support the front of your Murano

• Lift with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Give the vehicle a firm shake to confirm it’s stable.

Step 3: Remove the front wheel

• Remove the lug nuts using a 21mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Remove the wheel and set it aside.

Step 4: Access the caliper and remove the caliper slide bolts

• Turn the steering slightly for more room (left side: turn wheel right; right side: turn wheel left).
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the two caliper slide bolts (upper and lower).
• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Support the caliper using a bungee cord so it doesn’t pull on the hose.

Step 5: Remove old pads and hardware

• Slide the old pads out of the bracket by hand; if they’re stuck, use a flat trim/pry tool gently.
• Remove the old pad abutment clips (hardware) from the bracket using the flat trim/pry tool.
• Spray the bracket contact areas with brake parts cleaner spray and scrub with a wire brush.
• Tip: Clean metal-to-metal pad “rails” well.

Step 6: Compress the caliper piston

• Place one old pad against the caliper piston face.
• Use a C-clamp (6" minimum) to slowly press the piston back into the caliper.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir as you compress; do not let it overflow.

Step 7: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new abutment clips from the front brake pad hardware kit into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of disc brake lubricant (high-temp silicone/ceramic) where the pad ears slide on the clips.
• Install the new pads into the bracket, matching inner/outer pads as supplied.
• Use shop rags to wipe away excess lubricant—keep lube off rotor/pad friction surfaces.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Set the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the caliper slide bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten the caliper slide bolts using a 14mm socket and torque wrench to Torque to Nissan specification.
• Tip: If a bolt won’t start, reposition caliper.

Step 9: Reinstall wheel and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheel and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range) and 21mm socket: Torque to 133 Nm (98 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Repeat on the other front wheel

• Repeat Steps 1-9 on the other side.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine off, pump the brake pedal slowly 8-15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons).
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Start the engine and verify the pedal remains firm.
• Test-drive at low speed first and confirm normal braking with no pulling or grinding.
• Perform a gentle pad break-in: 6-10 moderate stops from 30 mph to 5 mph, with cool-down driving between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$310 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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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.

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Quick check so I can give you the exact Nissan torque specs: are your wheels 18" or 20"?