How to Install Rear Brakes in a 2002 Nissan Altima 3.5

In 1993, Nissan replaced the Stanza, an unexciting and box-like sedan, with the rounded, yet still unexciting, Altima. In 1998, Nissan redesigned the Altima, but the changes were modest. The 2002 redesign of the Altima, however, was a complete overhaul. The biggest of changes in 2002 was the addition of the 3.5-liter V-6 engine in the SE trim level. The 3.5-liter-equipped 2002 Altima came standard with rear disc brakes. Replacing the rear brakes on your 2002 Altima yourself is a great way to save money.

Instructions

1

Open the master cylinder lid and remove about half of the brake fluid, using a clean turkey baster. Transfer this fluid to a small container.

2

Loosen, but don't remove, the lug nuts on the rear wheels with a ratchet and socket. Raise the rear of the Altima, using a floor jack, and position jack stands under the rear suspension. Lower the Altima onto the jack stands. Remove the rear lug nuts and pull the rear wheels off the vehicle.

3

Remove the rear caliper-to-bracket pins, using a ratchet and socket, and lift the caliper off the rotor. Hang the caliper from a nearby suspension component, using a bungee strap or stiff wire. Pull the brake pads from the caliper bracket.

4

Remove the caliper bracket-to-rear hub bolts and pull the bracket from the hub.

5

Grab the rotor and pull it off the hub. If the caliper does not pull off easily, proceed to Step 6. If it does pull off, Proceed directly to Step 7.

6

Remove the parking brake adjuster cover -- the metal cover with a slot -- using a flat-head screwdriver. Insert a flat-head screwdriver into the adjuster hole and rotate the parking brake adjuster wheel upward to retract the parking brake until you can pull the rotor free.

7

Inspect the rotor for any visual defects, like hot-spotting, excessive wear or deep grooves. If any defects exist, discard the rotor and replace it with a new one.

8

Set the rotor on the hub. There is no need to adjust the parking brake shoes, as they automatically adjust when you set the brake. If needed, reinstall the parking brake adjuster cover and tighten it with a flat-head screwdriver.

9

Set the caliper bracket back onto the rear hub and tighten the caliper bracket-to-hub bolts to 28 to 38 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

10

Press the brake pad shims -- included with the new pads -- onto the rear of the new brake pads, if not preassembled. Slide the brake pads into the caliper bracket.

11

Compress the rear caliper piston, using an 8-inch C-clamp, by positioning the C-clamp over the caliper so the fixed part touches the rear of the caliper bracket and the screw part touches the caliper piston. Tighten the C-clamp until the piston bottoms out in the caliper.

12

Apply a thin coat of disc brake grease on the smooth part of the caliper pins and hand-tighten the pins into the caliper. Tighten the caliper pins to 23 to 30 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

13

Repeat Steps 3 through 12 to replace the brake pads and rotor on the other side of the Altima.

14

Reinstall the rear wheels and hand-tighten the rear lug nuts. Raise the Altima off the jack stands, using a floor jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the Altima to the ground. Tighten the rear lug nuts to 72 to 87 foot-pounds, in a crisscross pattern, using a torque wrench and socket.

15

Press and release the brake pedal until it feels firm.

16

Check the brake fluid level on the master cylinder and add DOT 3 brake fluid until the level is between the "Min" and "Max" marks on the master cylinder.

17

Take the old DOT 3 fluid to a nearby used automotive fluid recycling center. Many auto parts stores take old fluids free of charge.