How to Compress the Rear Calipers on a 2004 Nissan Altima

The 2000 Nissan Altima was equipped with a transverse mounted, 2.5-liter inline-four cylinder, or optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine. The Altima used front-wheel drive with either an automatic or manual transaxle. Front disc and rear drum brakes came standard, but rear disc brakes were available as an option. The parking brake on the Altima is incorporated into both rear calipers. A special procedure must be used to compress the piston.

Instructions

1

Park the Altima on a level, paved surface. Do not set the parking brake. Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels. Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels. Raise the rear of the Altima and support it with jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and wheels.

2

Use a ratchet and socket to unbolt the parking brake cable bracket from the caliper. Slide the end of the cable it has an eye in it from the finger on the caliper. Repeat for the other cable.

3

Remove the lower caliper bolt from the caliper with a ratchet and socket. Rotate the caliper up and off of the rotor. Pull the brake pads from the caliper mount, noting how they fit in the clips.

4

Attach a box-end wrench to the bleeder screw on the caliper. Attach a piece of 3/16 clear tubing to the nipple on the bleeder screw. Fill a clean, dry plastic water bottle about 1/3 of the way with fresh, clean brake fluid. Submerge the other end of the tubing in the bottle. Have an assistant hold the bottle to keep the end of the tubing in the brake fluid and to prevent its falling over.

5

Open the bleeder screw about 1/2 turn. Place the points of a pair of needle-nosed pliers in the notches in the caliper piston. Turn the piston in a clockwise direction to compress it. Fluid will flow from the caliper into the bottle. When you have fully compressed the piston, close the bleeder screw. This procedure will prevent contamination of the ABS system. Repeat for the other caliper. There are tools available at auto parts stores if you find the piston particularly hard to turn.

6

Check your rotors for excessive scoring or deep ridges. If you cannot drag your fingernail across the rotor nonstop, you should replace them.

Installation

7

Install new pads into the caliper housing. Swing the caliper over the pads. Install the lower bolt. Use a torque wrench and socket to torque the bolts to between 16 and 23 foot-pounds. Repeat for the other pads and caliper.

8

Hook the parking brake cable onto the caliper. Install and tighten the bracket bolt. repeat for the other caliper.

9

Install the wheels and lug nuts. Raise the rear of the Altima, remove the jack stands and lower the car to the ground. Torque the lug nuts to between 72 and 87 foot-pounds.