Nissan Altima Front Brake Pads and Rotors Replacement (2013-2018)
About this video
Front brakes squealing, grinding, or pulsing in the pedal? An ASE certified mechanic walks through a complete front brake pad and rotor replacement from start to finish, so you can do the job in your own driveway and skip the shop bill.
SAFETY FIRST
Brakes are a safety system. Work on level concrete, chock the wheels, and never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use jack stands, torque every fastener to spec, and pump the pedal firm before you move the car. If you are not confident in the result, have the work inspected by a professional.
WHAT WE COVER
Wheel removal and inspecting the brakes before you take anything apart
How to tell if the rotors can be reused or need to be replaced
Removing the caliper and caliper bracket without stressing the brake hose
Compressing the caliper piston and watching the master cylinder reservoir level
Removing a stuck rotor and the two bolt hole trick that saves a hammer
Cleaning the hub face so the new rotor sits flat and does not cause pulsation
Greasing slide pins and hardware clips, the step most people skip
Installing the new pads and rotors and torquing the caliper and lug nuts
Bedding in the new brakes so they stop quiet and even
SYMPTOMS YOU MAY NOTICE
Squealing or chirping that goes away when you press the brake
Grinding or metal on metal noise when stopping
Pulsation or shaking in the pedal or steering wheel while braking
Longer stopping distance or a pedal that feels soft
Brake dust and a deep lip or scoring on the rotor face
Pulling to one side when braking, often a sticking caliper or slide pin
Brake warning light on, sometimes from a low fluid level as pads wear
RELATED CODES AND WARNINGS
Worn brakes usually set no engine codes, but low fluid can bring on the red brake light, and a seized caliper or dragging pad can trigger ABS and traction control complaints. On some vehicles you may also see C1 chassis codes stored in the ABS module.
DOES THIS APPLY TO MY CAR
This was recorded on a 2018 Nissan Altima, fifth generation L33, sold 2013-2018 in the US with the facelift covering 2016-2018. The same procedure applies to 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Altima 2.5 S, SV, SR, SL and 3.5 SL and SR models. The Altima is sold as the Nissan Teana in other markets and shares its platform family with the Nissan Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Quest, and Infiniti QX60, so the layout will look very familiar there. The technique itself carries over to the Nissan Rogue, Sentra, Versa, Frontier, and to almost any car or SUV from Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevy,