🔧 Murano - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, swap the rear brake pads and rotors, then reassemble and bed-in the new pads. This restores braking performance and prevents vibration/pulsation from worn or warped rotors.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake before removing rear calipers/rotors.
• ⚠️ Support the Murano with jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Don’t let the caliper hang by the hose; support it with a hook.
• ⚠️ Check brake fluid level while compressing pistons to prevent overflow.

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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
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive, inch-lb/low Nm capable)
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp (6" minimum)
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Phillips screwdriver
• Brake cleaner spray
• 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 (pad clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, turn the engine off, and chock both front wheels.
• Release the parking brake fully (foot pedal released).
• Crack the rear lug nuts loose 1/2 turn with a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap (leave it sitting on top) so pressure can vent while you compress the pistons.
• Take a photo of pad/clip layout first.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear at the approved rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear support points and lower onto the stands.
• Confirm the Murano is stable before removing wheels.

Step 2: Remove the rear wheels

• Remove lug nuts using a 21mm socket and ratchet.
• Set the wheels aside.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper (do not open the hose)

• Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the back of the caliper.
• Remove the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs) during reassembly.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Remove the inner and outer pads from the bracket (a flathead screwdriver can help).
• Remove the stainless pad clips/hardware from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad lands using brake cleaner spray and a wire brush.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using a 19mm socket and breaker bar.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.
• Torque to 98 Nm (72 ft-lbs) during reassembly.

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• If equipped with rotor retaining screws, remove them using a Phillips screwdriver.
• Pull the rotor off the hub. If stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break it loose.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush, then spray with brake cleaner spray and wipe clean.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor braking surfaces with brake cleaner spray to remove packing oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub. Reinstall retaining screws (if used) with a Phillips screwdriver.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper bracket with new hardware

• Install new pad clips/hardware onto the bracket.
• Reinstall the bracket and tighten bolts using a 19mm socket and torque wrench (1/2" drive).
• Torque to 98 Nm (72 ft-lbs)

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Place an old pad against the piston, then use a C-clamp (6" minimum) to slowly push the piston back in.
• A C-clamp is a screw clamp that presses the piston in evenly.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir level while compressing; remove some fluid if it gets too high.

Step 10: Install the new pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease (silicone-based) where the pad ears slide on the clips.
• Install the inner and outer pads into the bracket.
• Keep grease off rotor and pad friction.

Step 11: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads and align the slide pin bolt holes.
• Install and tighten slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and torque wrench (3/8" drive).
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)

Step 12: Reinstall wheels

• Install the wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Murano to the ground using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and torque wrench (1/2" drive).
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine off, pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• Verify there are no leaks and no abnormal noises on a slow test drive.
• Bed-in the pads: make 8-10 moderate stops from ~30 mph down to ~5 mph, allowing short cool-down between stops.
• Re-check lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a 21mm socket and torque wrench (1/2" drive).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $500-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $320-$550 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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