🔧 Altima - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Altima means removing the rear wheels, retracting the electronic parking brake system safely, swapping the pads, and bedding them in afterward. Your Altima uses an electronic parking brake, so the rear calipers must be placed into service mode before the pads are removed.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Do not remove the rear brake caliper until the electronic parking brake is fully released or placed in maintenance/service mode.
• ⚠️ Support your Altima with jack stands. Never work under or beside a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can irritate your lungs. Wear a dust mask and use brake cleaner instead of compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint. Keep the reservoir covered and wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Disconnecting the battery is not normally required, but keep the ignition OFF once service mode is active.

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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
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm open-end wrench
• Rear brake caliper piston tool (specialty)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Catch pan
• Bungee cord
• OBD scan tool with electronic parking brake service mode (specialty)
• 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 hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Altima on a flat surface, shift to Park, and chock the front wheels.
• 🔓 Release the parking brake before starting.
• 🔌 Use an OBD scan tool with electronic parking brake service mode. A scan tool is a small device that plugs into the diagnostic port under the dashboard and can command vehicle systems safely.
• 🧪 Open the brake fluid reservoir cap before compressing caliper pistons, but do not leave it uncovered where dirt can fall in.
• 🧽 If the brake fluid reservoir is very full, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before pushing pistons back.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Rear Brakes in Service Mode

• Plug the OBD scan tool with electronic parking brake service mode into the diagnostic port under the driver-side dash.
• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Use the scan tool menu to select Electronic Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode > Start/Open Rear Calipers.
• Wait until the tool confirms service mode is complete.
• Turn the ignition OFF and keep the key/fob away from the start button area.
• Do not press the parking brake switch now.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum at the rear center jacking point or approved side pinch weld lift points.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the rear side support points.
• Gently lower your Altima onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before removing the wheels.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.
• Slide wheels under the car as backup safety.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Brake Caliper

• Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the back of the rear caliper.
• Use the 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it steady with the 17mm open-end wrench.
• Lift the caliper off the brake pads.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using the bungee cord.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use the flathead screwdriver to gently pry the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the old metal pad clips from the bracket by hand or with the flathead screwdriver.
• Place the old pads and hardware aside so you can compare them with the new parts.

Step 7: Clean the Caliper Bracket

• Place the catch pan under the brake area.
• Spray the bracket with brake cleaner spray.
• Use the small wire brush to clean the pad contact areas where the hardware clips sit.
• Brake cleaner removes grease and dust so the new pads can slide smoothly.

Step 8: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Check that the electronic parking brake is still in service mode before pushing the piston back.
• Use the rear brake caliper piston tool to slowly press the piston fully into the caliper bore.
• A caliper piston tool pushes the round piston back into the caliper so the thicker new pads will fit.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. If fluid rises too high, remove a small amount carefully.
• Do not force the piston. If it will not move, stop and recheck service mode.

Step 9: Install New Hardware and Pads

• Snap the new rear brake hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad ears where they touch the clips.
• Do not put lubricant on the pad friction surface or rotor surface.
• Slide the new rear brake pad set into the bracket.
• Make sure the pads move slightly by hand and are not jammed in place.

Step 10: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and place the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper slide pin bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 14mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the caliper slide pin bolts to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with the 17mm open-end wrench while torquing.

Step 11: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 10 on the opposite rear wheel using the same tools.
• Rear brake pads should always be replaced in pairs.

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install both rear wheels by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 13: Lower the Vehicle and Torque Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Altima until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Exit Electronic Parking Brake Service Mode

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Use the OBD scan tool with electronic parking brake service mode and select Electronic Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode > End/Close Rear Calipers.
• Wait until the scan tool confirms the parking brake has returned to normal operation.
• Apply and release the parking brake once using the switch.

Step 15: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, press the brake pedal slowly 5-8 times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and confirm the brake pedal feels firm before moving.
• ✅ Verify the electronic parking brake applies and releases normally.
• ✅ Check for warning lights on the dash.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area and make several gentle stops.
• ✅ Bed in the pads with 8-10 moderate stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing short cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $205-$330 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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