How do you replace brake pads on a 2004 Nissan maxima?

Answer 1

Fronts are fairly Ez to change. The rear disks may require the special tool to turn the parking brake adjuster to install new pads. (rent it from Autozone)

Fronts, loosen the lug nuts and jack up one side at a time. Set parking brake & chock the rear tires. Be sure to use jack stands under the frame or tow hooks to support your car. Remove the tire. On the inside of the brake caliper are to 14m bolts. Remove these to bolts and use a big screw driver to wedge the inner pad back into the caliper slightly. Check that the mounting pins (where the two bolts were removed) slide freely in & out. If not, remove, clean & grease with black high temp brake grease.

If the pedal has been pulsing or the rotors look grooved or are not smooth, take them to your local auto parts store. Most can cut or resurface the rotors but new rotors (China) are not too pricey. You will need to remove the caliper mounting bracket to remove your rotors. Two 17m bolts behind the dust shields use a long closed end wrench & tap/strike the wrench firmly with a hammer to break bolts loose. The rotors may require some persuading to remove. Spray PB blaster around lug bolt holes and seam at the center mounting hub. A block of wood and a large hammer may be need to break the rotor loose. Hold wood block against the front inner face of the rotor and give it several good smacks. (one lug nut installed loosely will prevent the rotor from failing off) Also if U R in the rust belt use a little anti-seize on hub when you install the rotors.

Replace rotor, ( 1 lug nut) Clean & lightly grease the brake pad mounting clips. Install caliper bracket w/ 2 bolts. Use an anti-squeak compound or spray and shims on the new brake pads. Use special too or large C-clamp to push piston back into caliper. Install the pads into the mounts and install caliper with 2 14m bolts. Make sure caliper floats freely in/out on pins. Install wheel & lug nuts. Use a good ceramic brake pad on the fronts. Also Autozone should have an on-line repair guide for this car.