How to Change the Rotors on a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder brake rotors work with the brake pads to slow and stop your vehicle through hydraulics. As you depress the brake pedal, brake fluid flows through the brake lines to the calipers. The calipers have a piston the pushes against the back brake pad. The pressure forces the caliper to go back a little, and the brake pads squeeze the rotors to slow and stop the Pathfinder. It will take you about 30 minutes per wheel to complete the project.

Instructions

1

Park the Pathfinder on a level surface and turn off the ignition. Place wheel chock behind the appropriate wheels. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you will be working on with the lug wrench, turning counterclockwise. Raise the vehicle up with the automobile jack and place a jack stand under it, near the jacking point. Raise the jack stand up to the frame.

2

Remove the lug nuts from the wheel using the lug wrench. Pull the wheel off the Pathfinder. Remove the brake caliper from the wheel assembly using a socket and ratchet. Secure the caliper to the strut using a wire tie. Pull the brake rotor off the wheel assembly.

3

Install the new rotor on the wheel assembly. Cut the wire tie holding the brake caliper to the strut with the pliers and place it on the mounting bracket.

4

Tighten the bolts with the socket and ratchet. Replace the wheel on the Pathfinder and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Repeat the process on the other wheels.

5

Remove the jack stand from under the Pathfinder and lower the vehicle to the ground.