🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

This procedure covers rear disc brake pad replacement on your Sentra. Assumption: your car is equipped with rear disc brakes; if it has rear drums, this repair does not apply.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and chock the front wheels before lifting the car.
• Support the car with jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Use brake cleaner and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• Keep the parking brake fully released before removing the rear caliper.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug wrench or socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper hanger or wire hook
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• 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
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the front wheels.
• Break the rear lug nuts loose before lifting the car.
• Raise the rear and place the car securely on jack stands.
• Release the parking brake before removing the caliper.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear wheel

• Use the 19mm lug wrench or socket to remove the rear wheel nuts.
• Set the wheel aside where it will not roll.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a brake caliper hanger or wire hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old brake pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware from the bracket if they are being replaced.
• Use the wire brush to clean rust and debris from the pad lands.
• Spray the bracket area with brake cleaner and let it dry.

Step 4: Retract the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston.
• Push slowly to avoid fluid overflow.

Step 5: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips from the brake hardware kit.
• Apply a light coat of brake lubricant to the pad contact points if included with your parts kit.
• Install the new rear brake pads in the bracket.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Use the 14mm socket to reinstall the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Lower the car to the ground.
• Use the 19mm lug wrench or socket to tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads on the opposite rear wheel using the same steps.
• Always replace brake pads in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the car. This seats the pads against the rotors.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing, clicking, or grinding.
• New pads need a short break-in period for best performance.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $240-$420 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $180-$280 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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