🔧 Altima - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads means removing the rear wheels, swinging the rear brake caliper out of the way, and installing new pads with the correct hardware and lubrication points. This restores braking power and prevents metal-to-metal damage to the rear rotors.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the car on jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🧱 Chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• 🔥 Brakes can be extremely hot; let them cool before touching parts.
• 🧴 Avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner and wear a dust mask.
• 🔑 Make sure the car is OFF (not in READY mode) and keep the key away while working.
• 🧯 Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for rear brake pads on your Altima.

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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 socket
• Breaker bar (1/2" drive)
• Torque wrench (1/2" drive)
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Disc brake piston tool set (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake pad hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1
• Silicone brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission to P.
• Place wheel chocks at the front tires.
• Release the parking brake fully (rear calipers can’t retract correctly if it’s applied).
• Crack the rear wheel lug nuts loose 1/4 turn using a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level—if it’s near MAX, be ready to remove a little fluid if it rises when you compress the pistons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear at the proper jacking point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands and gently shake the car to confirm it’s stable.
• Remove both rear wheels using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Locate the rear caliper and pads

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed—rear access is straight-on.
• Look at the rear brake assembly: the caliper is the clamp that squeezes the rotor; the pads sit in the caliper bracket.
• Do one side at a time to avoid mix-ups.

Step 3: Remove the caliper slide pin bolts

• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper slide pin bolts (typically upper and lower).
• If the slide pin wants to spin, hold it carefully while loosening (do not tear the rubber boot).

Step 4: Swing the caliper up and support it

• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry if the caliper is tight over the pads.
• Lift the caliper off the pads and hang it from the suspension using a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 5: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Remove the pad clips/hardware from the bracket (if your new pads include new clips, replace them).
• Clean the bracket pad-contact areas using brake parts cleaner and a wire brush.

Step 6: Retract the rear caliper piston

• Use a disc brake piston tool set (specialty) to push the piston back.
• Rear calipers on many Nissans may need the piston to be turned while pushing (because the parking brake mechanism is inside).
• If the piston does not compress with steady pressure, switch to a tool plate that allows rotate-and-push until the piston is fully seated.
• Go slowly; watch the brake fluid level.

Step 7: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips/hardware into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of silicone brake grease to pad “ears” where they slide in the clips.
• Install the new pads into the bracket in the same orientation as the old ones.
• If your pad set includes shims, install them as provided with the pads.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Reinstall the caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench (3/8" drive).

Step 9: If you removed the caliper bracket (only if needed)

• If you had to remove the bracket for any reason, reinstall the bracket bolts using a 19mm socket.
• Torque to 84 Nm (62 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench (1/2" drive).

Step 10: Reinstall wheels

• Install the wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs) in a star pattern using a torque wrench (1/2" drive) and 21mm socket.

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✅ After Repair

• With the car still parked, slowly press the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed (do not overfill).
• Apply and release the parking brake a few times to confirm normal feel.
• Do a cautious test drive: start with low-speed stops, then gradually increase.
• Pad bedding (recommended): make 6–10 moderate stops from ~50 km/h to ~15 km/h, allowing a little cool-down between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹4,000–₹9,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹1,800–₹5,500 (parts only)

You Save: ₹2,200–₹3,500 by doing it yourself!

Panipat-area labor rates vary; many shops fall around ₹600–₹1,200/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0–1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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