🔧 Altima - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rotors on your Altima. The pads are the friction blocks that stop the car, and the rotors are the metal discs the pads clamp onto.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on level, solid ground only.
• 🧯 Let the brakes cool before starting.
• 🚗 Support your Altima with jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• 🛞 Chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• 🅿️ Make sure the parking brake is fully released before removing the rear rotors.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and gloves. Brake dust and cleaner can irritate skin and eyes.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 6-inch extension 3/8-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Rear disc brake caliper piston tool (specialty)
• C-clamp 6-inch
• Flathead screwdriver medium
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Bungee cord
• Nitrile 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
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Altima on level ground and shift to Park.
• 🛑 Fully release the parking brake.
• 🛞 Place wheel chocks tightly against the front tires.
• 🧰 A caliper is the clamp-shaped part that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• 🧰 A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct safe tightness.
• 💡 Work on 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 Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each rear lug nut about one turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the rear of your Altima from a safe rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) under solid rear support points.
• Lower your Altima gently onto the jack stands.
• Use your hands to lightly shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels.
• Slide the wheels under the side of the car as a backup safety measure.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use the 14mm socket, ratchet 3/8-inch drive, and 6-inch extension 3/8-inch drive to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Pull the caliper off the rotor carefully.
• Use the bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 5: Remove the Old Pads and Hardware

• Use the flathead screwdriver medium to gently pry the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Use the flathead screwdriver medium to remove the old metal pad clips.
• The clips are brake hardware. They help the pads slide smoothly and quietly.

Step 6: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use the 19mm socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the two rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Pull the caliper bracket away from the rotor.

Step 7: Remove the Old Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off by hand.
• If it is stuck, use the rubber mallet to tap around the raised center section of the rotor.
• Do not hit the wheel studs.
• If the rotor still will not move, recheck that the parking brake is fully released.

Step 8: Clean the Hub Surface

• Use the wire brush to remove rust from the flat hub surface where the rotor sits.
• Use brake cleaner spray and shop towels to wipe the surface clean.
• A clean hub helps prevent brake vibration.
• Clean metal prevents wobble.

Step 9: Install the New Rotor

• Use brake cleaner spray and shop towels to clean both faces of the new rotor.
• Slide the new rotor 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.
• Use brake cleaner spray and shop towels to remove dust and debris.
• Install the new brake hardware clips by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not put lubricant on the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 11: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Place the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 19mm socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the bolts.
• Use the torque wrench 1/2-inch drive and 19mm socket to tighten the caliper bracket bolts to Torque to 85 Nm (63 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level.
• If the reservoir is near full, place shop towels around it because fluid may rise.
• Use the rear disc brake caliper piston tool (specialty) to slowly press the piston back into the caliper.
• The piston is the round metal part inside the caliper that pushes the inner pad.
• If the piston pushes straight in smoothly, a C-clamp 6-inch can also be used carefully.
• Stop when the piston is fully seated and the caliper will fit over the new pads.

Step 13: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should slide in smoothly without forcing them.
• If a pad sticks, remove it and clean the bracket again with the wire brush.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

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

Step 15: Repeat the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 14 on the other rear brake.
• Use the same tools and torque specs.
• Rear pads and rotors must be replaced in pairs.

Step 16: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor.
• Install the rear wheels.
• Start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 17: Lower and Torque the Wheels

• 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 your Altima until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the torque wrench 1/2-inch drive and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

Step 18: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly several times.
• The pedal will feel soft at first.
• Keep pumping until the pedal feels firm.
• Do not drive until the brake pedal is firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and add DOT 3 brake fluid only if needed.
• ✅ Start your Altima and press the brake pedal again. It should stay firm.
• ✅ Test the parking brake before normal driving.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and make several gentle stops.
• ✅ Bed in the pads with several moderate stops from 30-40 mph, letting the brakes cool between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$600 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$250 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$350 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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