🔧 Altima - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Altima means removing the rear calipers, swapping the pads, and resetting the electronic parking brake (EPB) so the pistons can retract correctly. Doing it the right way prevents brake drag, noise, and EPB warnings.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Your Altima uses an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB); you must put it in Brake Maintenance Mode before compressing rear pistons.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• ⚠️ Keep grease off pad friction material and rotor surfaces.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for pad replacement, but keep ignition steps exactly as listed for EPB mode.

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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
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-200 Nm range)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• 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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1 (recommended)
• Brake lubricant (silicone or synthetic caliper grease) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, steering straight, and place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Make sure the EPB is released before lifting the rear.
• Brake Maintenance Mode (required): this retracts the EPB actuator so the rear pistons can be pushed back safely.
• If you have a scan tool that supports Nissan EPB service mode, use it (best option). If not, use the manual EPB maintenance mode steps below.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the EPB into Brake Maintenance Mode

• Option A (scan tool): Use your scan tool and select EPB > Maintenance Mode (wording varies) and follow prompts.
• Option B (manual method):
• Turn ignition to ON (engine off). Use the start button without pressing the brake pedal.
• Use the EPB switch to confirm the parking brake is released.
• Press and hold the brake pedal, then pull up and hold the EPB switch.
• While holding, cycle ignition OFF → ON (engine off). Keep holding for several seconds until the EPB indicates maintenance mode (message/light behavior varies).
• If it doesn’t enter, retry slowly.

Step 2: Loosen rear wheel lug nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen lug nuts about 1/2 turn while the car is on the ground.

Step 3: Lift and support the rear

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear at the proper jacking point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and gently shake the car to confirm it’s stable.
• Remove the wheels using the 21mm socket.

Step 4: Remove the rear caliper

• Turn the steering wheel is not applicable here; just make sure you can access the caliper comfortably.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord so it doesn’t hang by the brake hose.

Step 5: Remove old pads and hardware

• Remove the inner and outer pads from the bracket by hand; use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• If you’re replacing hardware: remove the pad clips, then clean the bracket pad lands with a wire brush and brake cleaner spray.

Step 6: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Open the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood slightly (do not remove fully if it’s dusty) so fluid can return as you compress.
• Use a brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the piston straight back in slowly and evenly. (This tool is a screw-type press that pushes the piston back without damaging it.)
• Watch the reservoir level; if it’s near full, stop and remove a little fluid safely before continuing.
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 7: Install new hardware and pads

• Install new pad clips (if included) into the bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant where the pad ears touch the clips (metal-to-metal contact points only).
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket in the same orientation as removed.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Set the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet, then Torque to 26 Nm (19 ft-lbs) with a torque wrench.
• If you removed the caliper bracket (only if needed for rotor service): install bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and torque wrench, then Torque to 98 Nm (72 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Perform Steps 4 through 8 on the opposite side so both rear pads are replaced as a set.
• Always replace pads in pairs.

Step 10: Reinstall wheels and lower the car

• Install wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts.
• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Exit EPB Maintenance Mode

• Option A (scan tool): Use your scan tool to select EPB > End Maintenance Mode.
• Option B (manual method): Turn ignition ON (engine off), then operate the EPB switch to apply and release the parking brake once or twice until it returns to normal operation.

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✅ After Repair

• With the car on the ground, pump the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed (use the correct DOT brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap).
• Start your Altima and verify no brake/EPB warning lights remain on.
• Do a cautious test drive: confirm normal braking and that the EPB applies/releases correctly.
• Pad break-in: Make 6-10 gentle stops from 30 mph to 5 mph, with cooling time between stops. Avoid hard braking for the first 150-200 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $50-$150 (parts only)

You Save: $200-$300 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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