🔧 Altima - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rotors on your Altima. Rear pads wear down over time, and rotors should be replaced if they are worn, grooved, warped, or below minimum thickness.

Difficulty Level: 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.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands before putting any part of your body near or under the vehicle.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air; use brake cleaner instead.
• ⚠️ The rear caliper piston must be turned and pushed in. Do not force it straight in.
• ⚠️ Your Altima S uses a mechanical parking brake at the rear caliper; make sure the parking brake is fully released before removal.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint. Wipe spills immediately with clean water.

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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
• 19mm lug nut socket
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Rear disc brake caliper wind-back tool (specialty)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Catch pan
• Bungee cord
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses

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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
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Altima on level ground.
• 🅿️ Shift the CVT into Park.
• 🛑 Release the parking brake completely before removing the rear calipers.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 🧤 Put on safety glasses and gloves.
• 💧 Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is very full, remove a small amount with a clean fluid extractor to prevent overflow when compressing the caliper pistons.
• 📌 A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor to stop the car.
• 📌 A rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel.
• 📌 A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not loose or over-tightened.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground.
• Loose first, lift second.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) at the rear center jacking point or an approved rear side jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) under the rear pinch weld support points.
• Lower the Altima gently onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the side of the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use the 14mm socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension spring or strut area.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 5: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Pay attention to how the inner and outer pads sit before removing them.
• Remove the old stainless pad clips from the bracket.
• Pad clips are thin metal guides that help the pads slide smoothly.

Step 6: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use the 17mm socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Set the bracket aside on a clean surface.
• These bolts may be tight, so keep the socket square on the bolt head.

Step 7: Remove the Old Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, use the rubber mallet to tap around the rotor hat until it loosens.
• Do not strike the wheel studs directly.
• If the rotor still will not move, confirm the parking brake is fully released.

Step 8: Clean the Hub Face

• Use the wire brush to clean rust from the hub face where the rotor sits.
• Use brake cleaner spray and a catch pan to rinse away dust and debris.
• A clean hub helps prevent brake vibration.
• Rust behind rotors causes wobble.

Step 9: Install the New Rotor

• Use brake cleaner spray to clean both friction surfaces of the new rotor.
• Slide the new rotor fully onto the hub.
• Thread one lug nut on by hand to hold the rotor flat while you work.

Step 10: Clean and Prepare the Caliper Bracket

• Use the wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new rear brake hardware clips by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad contact points on the clips.
• Do not put lubricant on the pad friction material or rotor surface.

Step 11: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 17mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs)

Step 12: Retract the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use the rear disc brake caliper wind-back tool (specialty) to rotate and push the caliper piston back into the caliper.
• A wind-back tool turns the piston while pressing it inward, which is required on this rear brake design.
• Turn the piston slowly and make sure the rubber boot does not twist or tear.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston so it does not overflow.

Step 13: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use the flathead screwdriver only if needed to gently guide the pads into place.
• The pads should move smoothly in the clips without being forced.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad backing plates where they contact the caliper.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both caliper slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use the 14mm socket and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 14 on the other rear wheel.
• Always replace rear pads and rotors in pairs so braking stays even.

Step 16: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding the rotor.
• Install each wheel by hand.
• Thread the lug nuts on by hand first.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 17: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Lower the Altima until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

Step 18: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before moving the vehicle, 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 seats the caliper pistons 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 if needed.
• ✅ Start the engine and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm.
• ✅ Check behind both rear wheels for brake fluid leaks.
• ✅ Test the parking brake operation after the rear brakes are assembled.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and make several gentle stops.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads by making 6-10 moderate stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing short cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless it is an emergency.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $120-$280 (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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🎯 Ready to get started?

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