🔧 Altima - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This is an intermediate brake job because your Altima uses an electronic parking brake, or EPB. Put the EPB into maintenance mode with a compatible scan tool before compressing either rear caliper piston. Forcing the pistons back without that step can damage an expensive actuator.

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

Assumption: The rotors are smooth, within thickness specification, and free from deep scoring or heat cracks.

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level, solid ground and support the Altima with jack stands.
• ⚠️ Chock both front wheels because the parking brake must remain released.
• ⚠️ Never force or rotate an EPB piston while the actuator is engaged.
• ⚠️ Don’t press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Don’t let a caliper hang from its flexible brake hose.
• ⚠️ Avoid breathing brake dust. Never clean it with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnection isn’t required when a scan tool controls maintenance mode.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• OBD-II scan tool with Nissan electronic parking brake service function (specialty)
• 21mm lug nut socket
• 14mm socket
• 14mm combination wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench rated 10-80 ft-lbs
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated 20-150 ft-lbs
• Disc brake piston compression tool (specialty)
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
• Nylon brake cleaning brush
• Brake caliper hanger or strong bungee cord
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear ceramic brake pad set for electronic parking brake - Qty: 1
• Rear disc brake hardware kit - Qty: 1 if not included with pads
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• Silicone-based high-temperature brake lubricant - Qty: 1 tube

Replace all four rear pads together. The matching brake-pad, hardware, rotor, and caliper aisles are open in the parts sidebar.

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 📋 Park on level pavement, select Park, switch off Auto Hold, and chock both front wheels.
• 📋 With the ignition on and your foot on the brake, push the parking-brake switch down to release the EPB. Confirm the red parking-brake indicator turns off. Nissan specifies this normal release method for the Altima. owners.nissanusa.com
• 📋 Connect the scan tool to the OBD-II port beneath the driver-side dashboard.
• 📋 Select Electronic Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode > Start/Open. Menu wording varies by scan-tool brand.
• 📋 Wait until both rear actuators finish moving and the scan tool confirms maintenance mode.
• 📋 Open the hood and check the brake-fluid reservoir. Remove a small amount only if the level is already near the maximum mark.

---

🔨 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 drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about one-quarter turn.
• Keep the Altima fully on the ground during this step.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum at an approved rear lifting point.
• Place the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum beneath the reinforced rear support points.
• Lower the Altima onto the stands and gently shake it to confirm stability.
• Keep the jack nearby as backup.

Step 3: Remove Both Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat away from your working area.

Step 4: Remove the First Rear Caliper

• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the upper and lower caliper slide-pin bolts.
• Use the 14mm combination wrench to hold a slide pin if it turns with the bolt.
• Lift the caliper away from the pads without pulling on the hose or EPB wiring.
• Support it with the brake caliper hanger or strong bungee cord.
• A caliper is the clamp that presses the pads against the rotor.

Step 5: Remove the Old Pads and Clips

• Use the small flat-blade screwdriver to lift the inner and outer pads from the bracket.
• Note the position of any wear indicator before removing the pads.
• Use the small flat-blade screwdriver to remove the stainless pad clips.
• Pad clips are the small metal guides on which the pads slide.

Step 6: Inspect the Rotor and Caliper

• Inspect both rotor faces for deep grooves, blue heat spots, cracks, or a heavy outer ridge.
• Inspect the caliper dust boot for tears and the brake hose for cracking or wetness.
• Stop if one pad is substantially thinner than its matching pad. That can indicate a seized slide pin or caliper.
• Replace or professionally measure questionable rotors before continuing.

Step 7: Clean and Lubricate the Hardware

• Spray brake cleaner onto the bracket and clean the clip-contact areas with the nylon brake cleaning brush.
• Install the new clips by hand.
• Apply a very thin film of silicone-based high-temperature brake lubricant where the pad ears contact the clips.
• Keep lubricant completely off the rotor and pad friction material.
• More grease isn't better here.

Step 8: Compress the EPB Caliper Piston

• Confirm the scan tool still shows EPB maintenance mode.
• Place an old pad against the piston.
• Use the disc brake piston compression tool to press the piston slowly and straight into the caliper.
• A piston compression tool applies even pressure without damaging the piston face or rubber boot.
• Watch the reservoir so brake fluid doesn’t overflow.
• Stop immediately if the piston requires excessive force. Don’t twist it or use an impact tool.

Step 9: Install the New Pads

• Install the inner and outer rear pads into the bracket by hand.
• Place any wear-indicator-equipped pad in the same position as the original.
• Confirm both pads move through the clips without binding.

Step 10: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the caliper from the brake caliper hanger or strong bungee cord.
• Place it over the new pads without twisting the brake hose.
• Start both slide-pin bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading.
• Use the 14mm socket, 14mm combination wrench, and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the slide-pin bolts.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs). howtoo.com

Step 11: Complete the Opposite Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 10 on the other rear wheel using the same tools.
• Don’t exit maintenance mode until both sides are completely assembled.
• Brake pads always get replaced by axle, not one wheel at a time. Brakes dislike mismatched roommates.

Step 12: Reinstall the Wheels

• Install both wheels and start every lug nut by hand.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the nuts in a star pattern.
• Don’t apply final torque while the Altima is supported by the stands.

Step 13: Lower and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the rear slightly.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum and lower the Altima fully.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs). This is Nissan’s published wheel-nut specification. owners.nissanusa.com

Step 14: Exit EPB Maintenance Mode

• Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the scan tool and select Electronic Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode > End/Close.
• Wait for both actuators to complete their automatic adjustment.
• Apply and release the EPB once using the console switch.
• Confirm the EPB warning light turns off after release.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Before starting the engine, press the brake pedal repeatedly until it becomes firm.
• ✅ Check the brake-fluid level and correct it only with the fluid specified on the reservoir cap.
• ✅ Start the engine and confirm there are no brake, ABS, or EPB warning messages.
• ✅ Test the EPB while stationary before moving the Altima.
• ✅ Make several gentle stops at low speed in a safe area.
• ✅ Follow the pad manufacturer’s bedding procedure. Avoid hard stops and holding hot brakes at a standstill during the first 200 miles unless an emergency requires it.
• ✅ Stop driving if the pedal remains soft, the vehicle pulls, a wheel becomes unusually hot, or you hear grinding.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 equivalent, depending on local labor and imported-part pricing

DIY Cost: $30-$100 for pads, hardware, cleaner, and lubricant

You Save: Approximately $150-$350 by doing it yourself!

Labor rates vary considerably in Haryana. This repair normally takes a shop approximately 1-1.5 hours when the rotors and calipers are reusable.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.