🔧 Altima - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your Altima. The rear caliper must be removed, the piston compressed, and the brake hardware cleaned or replaced so the new pads move smoothly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool vehicle parked on level ground.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands every time. Never work under or beside a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air; use brake cleaner and shop towels.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the rear caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Open the brake fluid reservoir cap before compressing the caliper piston, and watch that fluid does not overflow.
• ⚠️ Your Altima uses a traditional cable-style parking brake at the rear. Make sure the parking brake is fully released before removing the rotors.

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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
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 6-inch socket extension
• Rear disc brake caliper piston tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• High-temperature brake grease
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear 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 level ground and shift to Park.
• 🛑 Release the parking brake completely before lifting the rear of the car.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 🔩 Slightly loosen the rear lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• 🧴 Open the hood and loosen the brake fluid reservoir cap. The reservoir is the small plastic tank for brake fluid near the driver-side rear of the engine bay.
• 🧽 Lay shop towels around the brake fluid reservoir in case fluid rises while compressing the caliper pistons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Tip: Loosen them while tires touch ground.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use a floor jack to raise the rear of your Altima at the approved rear lift point.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching the lift point as a backup.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Rear Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Look at the caliper, pads, rotor, rubber brake hose, and parking brake cable.
• The caliper is the clamp-shaped part that squeezes the pads against the rotor.
• If you see wet brake fluid, a torn hose, or a seized caliper, stop and repair that first.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use a 14mm socket, 3/8-inch drive ratchet, and 6-inch socket extension to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Slide pin bolts hold the moving part of the caliper to the bracket.
• Lift the caliper off the pads.
• Use a brake caliper hanger hook to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Rear Brake Pads

• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the pad hardware clips from the bracket using needle-nose pliers.
• Hardware clips are thin metal guides that let the brake pads slide smoothly.
• Note the position of the pad wear indicator before removal.

Step 7: Remove the Rear Caliper Bracket

• Use a 19mm socket, 3/8-inch drive ratchet, and 6-inch socket extension to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it on a clean surface.
• These bolts are tight, so keep the socket straight to avoid rounding the bolt heads.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap around the rotor hat until it loosens.
• The rotor hat is the raised center part of the rotor.
• If the rotor still will not come off, confirm the parking brake is fully released.
• Tip: Rotate while tapping to free rust.

Step 9: Clean the Hub Face

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner spray and shop towels to wipe the hub clean.
• A clean hub helps the new rotor sit flat and prevents brake vibration.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and shop towels.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• Thread one lug nut on by hand using the 21mm lug nut socket to hold the rotor flat while you work.

Step 11: Service the Caliper Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new hardware clips by hand or with needle-nose pliers.
• Apply a thin film of high-temperature brake grease where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Pad ears are the small tabs on each end of the brake pad backing plate.
• Do not get grease on the pad friction material or rotor surface.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 19mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the bolts.
• Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 19mm socket to tighten the caliper bracket bolts to Torque to 84 Nm (62 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use a rear disc brake caliper piston tool to press the caliper piston fully back into the caliper.
• A piston tool pushes the round brake piston back so the thicker new pads will fit.
• Compress slowly and watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood.
• If fluid gets close to the top, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before continuing.
• Make sure the piston boot stays flat and does not twist or tear.

Step 14: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pad with the wear indicator is installed in the same orientation as the original pad.
• The pads should move freely in the clips without binding.
• If they are tight, remove them and clean the bracket again with the wire brush.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both caliper slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the bolts.
• Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 14mm socket to tighten the caliper slide pin bolts to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 15 on the other rear brake.
• Use the same tools and the same torque specs.
• Always replace rear pads and rotors in pairs for even braking.

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor using the 21mm lug nut socket.
• Install the wheels onto the hubs.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 18: Lower and Torque the Wheels

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

Step 19: 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 against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

Step 20: Check Brake Fluid Level

• Use shop towels to clean around the brake fluid reservoir cap.
• Check that the brake fluid level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
• Tighten the reservoir cap by hand.
• Wipe away any spilled brake fluid immediately because it can damage paint.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Altima and press the brake pedal again. It should stay firm and not sink.
• ✅ Test the brakes at very low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Listen for grinding, scraping, or clicking noises.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 21mm lug nut socket.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops from about 30 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 USD equivalent (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$280 USD equivalent (parts only)

You Save: $230-$370 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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