How to Change the Front Brakes on a 1998 Nissan Maxima

Nissan began production of the Maxima in 1981 as the highest trim level for the Nissan 810. In 1982, Nissan dropped the 810 name altogether and named all of its large sedans Maxima. The 1998 Maxima has a 190-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6 engine and ventilated disc brakes on the front wheels. Over time, the brake pads on the front will wear out and need to be replaced. The interval between front brake pad changes is usually 25,000 to 35,000 miles, depending on your driving habits.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the Maxima and remove the lid from the master cylinder reservoir. That's the plastic container on the rear driver's side of the engine compartment. Siphon half of the fluid from the master cylinder reservoir, using the turkey baster, and transfer that fluid into a small clean container for reuse.

2

Loosen the Maxima's front lug nuts, but do not remove them.

3

Place the floor jack beneath the front of the Maxima and raise it from the ground. Place the jack stands beneath the vehicle to secure it.

4

Remove the front lug nuts and pull the wheels from the Maxima.

5

Loosen and remove the lower caliper bolt on the rear of the brake caliper, using the ratchet and socket. Loosen but do not remove the upper caliper bolt, using the ratchet and socket.

6

Swing the caliper upward, using the upper bolt as a pivot point. Connect the caliper to a suspension component using the bungee strap.

7

Grab both the inner and outer brake pads and pull them from the caliper bracket, the large metal component the caliper bolts to. Take note of how the pads are positioned prior to removal, as the new pads must be placed in the same position.

8

Place the C-clamp over the caliper so that the fixed portion is contacting the rear of the caliper and the screw portion is lined up with the caliper piston, the cylindrical object inside the caliper.

9

Position the old inner brake pad between the caliper piston and the C-clamp's screw to prevent damage to the piston. Tighten the C-clamp and observe as the caliper piston begins to descend into the caliper body. Continue tightening the C-clamp until the top of the piston is flush with the caliper's body.

10

Loosen and remove the C-clamp and the old brake pad.

11

Place the new brake pads onto the caliper bracket, in the same position the old pads were in.

12

Remove the caliper from the bungee strap and swing the caliper down and over the new brake pads. Hand-tighten the upper and lower caliper bolts.

13

Tighten the caliper bolts to 16 to 23 foot-pounds, using the torque wrench and a socket.

14

Repeat Steps 4 through 13 for the brake pads on the other side of the Maxima.

15

Remount the wheels on the front of the Maxima and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Remove the jack stands from under the car and carefully lower it to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts -- in a star pattern -- to 90 foot-pounds, using the torque wrench and a socket.

16

Check the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir by looking at the "Min" and "Max" lines on the outside of the reservoir. If the fluid level is not between those lines, add fluid from the small container of saved fluid until the level is between the lines. If no fluid is needed, dispose of the fluid in the small container properly. Most auto parts stores will dispose of old fluids free of charge.

17

Place the lid back on the master cylinder reservoir and close the Maxima's hood.

18

Press and release the brake pedal until it feels firm. This process pushes the caliper piston out and against the new brake pads.