🔧 Altima - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your Altima. Worn pads or grooved rotors can cause squealing, vibration, longer stopping distance, or grinding.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface only. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Support the Altima with jack stands before removing the wheels.
• ⚠️ The rear brake caliper piston must be compressed carefully. Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air. Use brake cleaner instead.
• ⚠️ If the brake fluid reservoir is full, compressing the caliper pistons can cause overflow. Brake fluid damages paint.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this rear brake pad and rotor replacement.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm lug nut socket
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• 3/8-inch torque wrench
• 1/2-inch torque wrench
• Rear brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner spray
• Catch pan
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 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 - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 pint

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Altima on level ground and place the transmission in Park.
• 🧱 Chock the front wheels using wheel chocks so the car cannot roll.
• 🅿️ Release the parking brake before removing the rear rotors.
• 🔍 Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level. If it is at the MAX line, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing calipers.
• 🧰 A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor. The rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel.
• 🧰 A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not loose or over-tightened.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground.
• Loosen only. Do not remove yet.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear of the Altima

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Altima at the proper rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the rear support points.
• Slowly lower the car onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the car by hand to confirm it is stable before working.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the car as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Brake Caliper

• Look behind the rear caliper and find the two small caliper slide pin bolts.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Slide the caliper off the rotor.
• Use the bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension spring or control arm.
• Do not let the caliper hang from the brake hose.

Step 5: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• If they are stuck, use the flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry them out.
• Note the position of any wear indicator tabs before removal.
• Take a photo before removing parts.

Step 6: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• The caliper bracket is the metal frame that holds the brake pads.
• Use the 19mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to remove the two rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it aside.

Step 7: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Make sure the parking brake is released.
• Pull the rear rotor straight off the wheel hub by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap around the rotor hat with the rubber mallet.
• Do not strike the wheel studs directly.
• If the rotor still will not come off, the parking brake shoes inside the rotor may be holding it. Work slowly and avoid forcing it.

Step 8: Clean the Hub Surface

• Use the small wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray and catch runoff in the catch pan.
• The new rotor must sit flat against the hub to prevent brake vibration.

Step 9: Prepare and Install the New Rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rear rotor with brake cleaner spray.
• Wipe it dry with a clean shop towel.
• Slide the new rotor onto the wheel studs.
• Temporarily install one lug nut by hand to hold the rotor flat.

Step 10: Service the Caliper Bracket

• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old pad hardware clips from the caliper bracket.
• Use the small wire brush and brake cleaner spray to clean the bracket where the clips sit.
• Install the new clips from the rear brake hardware kit by pressing them into place by hand.
• Pull the slide pins out of the bracket by hand.
• Wipe the pins clean and apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease.
• Push the slide pins back into the bracket until the rubber boots are seated.

Step 11: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Place the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 19mm socket and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 84 Nm (62 ft-lbs)

Step 12: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Apply a very thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease only to the pad ears where they contact the hardware clips.
• Do not get grease on the pad friction material or rotor face.
• Slide the new rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• The pads should move smoothly in the clips without force.

Step 13: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• The piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the brake pad.
• Use the rear brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the caliper piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while doing this. Stop if fluid rises too high.
• If fluid is needed later, use only DOT 3 brake fluid.
• Go slow to protect the seals.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Remove the caliper from the bungee cord.
• Slide the caliper over the new brake pads and rotor.
• Start the two caliper slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs)

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 14 on the other rear wheel.
• Rear brake pads and rotors should be replaced in pairs.

Step 16: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor.
• Install the rear wheels.
• Thread the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 17: Lower the Altima and Torque the Lug Nuts

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

Step 18: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before moving the car, sit in the driver seat.
• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the pedal is firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• ✅ Start the engine and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm and steady.
• ✅ Test the parking brake operation before driving normally.
• ✅ Perform a slow test drive in a safe area. Confirm the Altima stops smoothly with no grinding, scraping, or pulling.
• ✅ Bed in the new brake pads: make 5-8 moderate stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing short cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless it is an emergency.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$600 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$250 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$350 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

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