How do you replace front brake pads and rotors on 1999 Nissan Maxima Please explain for an average do-it-yourselfer?

Answer 1

Do it RightBrake jobs are not a job to be done without a Manual. Your life and the lives of others and the life of your Automobile depend on them.

Please purchase a Manual and do the job correctly.

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Disc BrakesIt depends on the type of vehicle that you have. You have to remove the caliper which is what holds the brake pads and squeezes them against the rotor (the part the wheel bolts to) so that the friction stops the vehicle. Different manufacturers use different methods to mount the caliper. GM uses 2 bolts to hold the caliper in place using either a torx head bolt or a 3/8 hex bolt. Some Fords use two expandable pins to hold them in place that you can drive out of their slot with nothing more than a screwdriver or punch. After you get the caliper off you have to push the piston back into the caliper or the new pads won't fit in the space and go back over the rotor. Sometimes you can do this with a large pair of channel lock type pliers or with a special tool made for it but it has to be done. If the rotor has been scraping the metal plate of the old pads and and/or has grooves in it to any extent at all then they need to be "turned" on a brake lathe to true the surfaces or the new brakes will wear out very rapidly. If the rotors are severly worn and too thin then they will have to be replaced also. Best thing to do is talk to your guys at the auto parts store and they can explain that procedure to you. ANSWEROn a Nissan you need to buy special tool to wind caliper in. these are available at any auto store. the caliper does not squeeze the piston in as you do on a gm or Ford they must be screwed in , and from memory it is left hand thread.so any way, jack up car remove wheel remove bolts holding caliper on remove pads they just slip out' screw piston in. to remove rotar, with large channel locks remove small cover at centre of rotar. this gives you access to axle nut. remove cotter pin. remove axle nut and bearings,keeping all out of dirt, as they are covered with greaseslide rotar off axle. good idea at this time to replace bearings. tap bearing race into back side of rotar then insert bearing and seal. tap bearing race into front side of rotar.slide rotar back onto axle. isert front bearing and washer tighten axle nut. do not over tighten,spin rotar .if it wont spin it is to tight, (oops grease bearings as you go) insert codder pin thru castle nut. u may have to tweak nut a little to find right place for cotter pin half fill dust cap with grease. tap dust cap back onto axle install pads into caliper. reintall caliper on rotar and install bolts that secure caliper. if you did this correctly you will not need to bleed brakes. replace wheel. lower jack ,then do same on opposite side of vehicle you are now ready totest drive before moving vehicle, start engine and stand on brakes, this will adjust new pads to where they need to be. test drive