How to replace the rear brakes 2013 – 2018 Nissan Altima

Chapter 1:

Open the hood

Step 1/1

Turn off your vehicle’s ignition, set the parking brake, pull the hood release handle and open the hood.

Chapter 2:

Open the brake fluid reservoir

Step 1/1

Open the brake fluid reservoir.

Chapter 3:

Lift the vehicle

Step 1/3

Loosen the wheel lug nuts on the rear wheels.

Chapter 3:

Step 2/3

Lift the rear of your vehicle.

Chapter 3:

Step 3/3

Place the vehicle on the jack stands.

Chapter 4:

Take off the wheels

Step 1/1

Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!

Chapter 5:

Loosen the parking brake

Step 1/1

Before you start, release the parking brake otherwise the operation will be impossible.

Chapter 6:

Retract the piston

Step 1/3

Insert a flat head screwdriver into the opening of the brake caliper.

Chapter 6:

Step 2/3

Lift it off using the screwdriver as a lever by pulling it towards you. This will cause the piston to retract slightly, so that the caliper can be removed more easily for the next steps. In some cases, you will also need to clear the grip of the parking brake shoes on the disc in order to remove the disc at a later stage.

Chapter 6:

Step 3/3

Insert a flat head screwdriver into the hole on the disc to access the brake shoe adjustment mechanism, and retract the shoes until the disc is free.

Chapter 7:

Loosen the slide pins

Step 1/2

With a socket wrench and a 14mm socket, unscrew the lower slide pin.

Chapter 7:

Step 2/2

Repeat this process with the upper slide pin.

Chapter 8:

Remove the brake caliper

Step 1/1

You can now remove the caliper and set it down so as not to pull on the rear brake hose.

Chapter 9:

Remove the brake pads

Step 1/2

Remove the brake pads.

Chapter 9:

Step 2/2

To do this, slide them away from the disc.

Chapter 10:

Prepare the new rotor

Step 1/1

Using a flat head screwdriver, remove the anti-rattle clips.

Chapter 11:

Remove the brake caliper mount

Step 1/2

Using a 19mm wrench, unscrew the two holding bolts on the caliper mount. Depending on the state of the bolts on the caliper mount, it may be necessary to use a hammer to loosen them.

Chapter 11:

Step 2/2

Remove the caliper mount.

Chapter 12:

Remove the brake disc

Step 1/2

Sometimes the disc may get stuck on the hub, if this happens, use a hammer to remove it.

Chapter 12:

Step 2/2

Finally, remove the disc.

Chapter 13:

Tips

Step 1/1

At this point, you can also replace the parking brake shoes, as we did in the video.

Chapter 14:

Clean

Step 1/1

Clean the wheel hub with a wire brush.

Chapter 15:

Prepare the new brake disc

Step 1/2

You can order the discs and pads kit used in the video on Carparts.com via the link in the description.

Chapter 15:

Step 2/2

Before installing the new disc, it is vital to clean it using brake cleaner and paper towels to take off the storage paraffin. If your new disc is coated, you can place it directly onto the wheel hub.

Chapter 16:

Clean the brake caliper mount

Step 1/1

Brush the caliper mount around the pads to remove any extra rust that could prevent the pads from sliding.

Chapter 17:

Put the brake caliper mount back on

Step 1/2

Reassemble the caliper mount by screwing first by hand, then with a 19mm wrench to lock them in place.

Chapter 17:

Step 2/2

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 18:

Place the new anti-rattle clips

Step 1/2

Carparts.com also recommends replacing the anti-rattle clips with new ones.

Chapter 18:

Step 2/2

Place the new anti-rattle clips on the caliper mount.

Chapter 19:

Place the new brake pads

Step 1/2

Grab the new pads, and lightly coat the ends with copper grease to help them slide more easily.

Chapter 19:

Step 2/2

Insert the new pads into the caliper mount by sliding them in.

Chapter 20:

Press the piston

Step 1/2

Grab the caliper.

Chapter 20:

Step 2/2

Press the piston into the brake caliper. For this operation, it is essential to have a brake wind-back tool, a special tool that allows you to push the piston back, making it easier to put the caliper back in place. As the piston enters the brake caliper, brake fluid will flow back into the brake fluid reservoir. Depending on the original level of the reservoir, make sure that the liquid does not overflow.

Chapter 21:

Put the brake caliper back

Step 1/6

Now, put the caliper back on the caliper mount.

Chapter 21:

Step 2/6

Clean the slide pins with paper towels.

Chapter 21:

Step 3/6

Then lubricate them with silicone grease to facilitate sliding.

Chapter 21:

Step 4/6

Screw in the caliper slide pins, by hand at first.

Chapter 21:

Step 5/6

Screw them in using a socket wrench and a 14mm socket.

Chapter 21:

Step 6/6

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 22:

Clean

Step 1/3

Clean the disc with brake cleaner and a cloth to remove the grease from the new pads.

Chapter 22:

Step 2/3

In case you adjusted the brake shoes to remove the disc, set the mechanism back until there is a slight friction between the brake shoes and the disc.

Chapter 22:

Step 3/3

You can now repeat the same process on the other side.

Chapter 23:

Put the vehicle back on the ground

Step 1/3

Then, you will be able to put the wheels back on your vehicle.

Chapter 23:

Step 2/3

Put the car back on the ground and block the wheels properly.

Chapter 23:

Step 3/3

Don’t forget to screw the brake fluid cap back on before starting the car.

Chapter 24:

Pump the brake pedal

Step 1/2

Attention! Before using your vehicle again, start your car, and pump the brake pedal a few times to push the brake pads together again. Try to drive smoothly and avoid sudden braking for the first 30 miles or so, to avoid glazing the new pads.

Chapter 24:

Step 3/2

Operation complete.