How do you change the brake pads on a 1997 nissan altima?

Answer 1

Pull off the wheel - after removing the lug nuts it might be tight or "stuck" and you may have to bump it to loosen it from the wheel housing. Once the wheel is off you can then see the disc brakes. On the back at either end of the assembly is a bolt with a recess that takes a hex also known as an Allen head wrench. You will need to loosen and unscrew both bolts. Once these are removed you then can slide off the assembly that hold the pads. Be carefule to not over strain the hose or the parking brake cable. Secure the assembly with a piece of tiewire. The pads will then essentialls be free to slide out of the housing. Remove the pads. Now comes the part where you have to recess te piston that presses the pads onto the rotor. Using a suitable wrench screw the piston ends so that they screw back into the piston housing. You will need to make sure you have moved the pistons back enough so that you can reinstall the new pads and slide the assembly back over the rotor. When you have done this align one of the bolts that you prevously removed. Notice there is a rubber "boot" that you will need to move around and possibly rotate soa s to be able to position the assembly. Insert one of the screws and screw in a few turns. Repeat with the other. Tighten each bolt to the appropriate torque - for this value refer to the manufacturer's recommendations. Look for any hydraulic/brake fluid leaks. If noe then reinstall the wheel. Tighten lug nuts to the appropriate torque - do not use any liquid lubricant on the nuts, dry clean threads are correct. Before driving the vehicle anywhere drive forward and backward applying the brakes rather sharply to cause the pads to move out to engage the rotors. Do not drive anywhere until this is done and the brakes are working properly. If this does not answer your question - go to a local service place and ask someone there to show/tell you how to do it. Good luck and be careful.