How to Change the Rear Brake Pads of a 1997 Nissan Maxima

The rear disc brakes on the 1997 Nissan Maxima do not require a special caliper piston reset tool kit, despite being a screw-in piston. Although the tool kit would still work nicely for compressing the caliper pistons, a regular pair of needle-nose pliers will work, unlike many other makes and models of vehicles with rear disc brake applications with screw-in caliper pistons. While some of the 1997 Maxima's came with rear drum brakes (with brake shoes), rear disc brakes that use brake pads were also featured on the Nissan sedan.

Instructions

1

Park the Nissan Maxima on a level surface (suitable for lifting and supporting the vehicle), but do not apply the parking brake.

2

Loosen the rear wheel nuts on both of the rear tires with the wheel nut wrench.

3

Lift the rear corners of the Maxima with a jack, and lower the vehicle, so it is supported by the jack stands.

4

Remove the wheel nuts and rear wheels.

5

Remove the rear brake parking brake cable bracket bolt with a metric combination wrench. Remove the bracket from the rear caliper.

6

Remove the lower caliper bolt with a metric combination wrench.

7

Pry/pivot the caliper upward off the pads and the rotor with the screwdriver.

8

Turn the caliper piston, clockwise, with the caliper piston reset tool kit or a pair of needle-nose pliers, until it is fully seated in the piston bore.

9

Pull out the pad springs, and remove the rear brake pads from the caliper mount. Use the screwdriver, if necessary, to pry the pads out of the mount.

10

Apply a coating of the caliper silicone-based grease (supplied in the brake pad replacement set) on the brake pad/mount mating surfaces (upper and lower).

11

Apply the stick-on shims (supplied in the replacement brake pad set) to the backing plates of the replacement brake pads (unless staked).

12

Install the replacement pads into the caliper mount, and replace the brake pad springs.

13

Pivot the caliper downward over the pads and the rotor. Replace the lower caliper bolt, and tighten it with a combination wrench.

14

Replace the parking brake caliper bracket. Tighten the bolt.

15

Repeat Step 5 through Step 14 for the other rear wheel.

16

Replace the wheels and wheel nuts. Tighten the wheel nuts, before lowering the Maxima to the ground.

17

Tighten the wheel nuts to 80 ft-lbs., with a torque ratchet (in a crisscross manner) and a metric socket.

18

Pump the brake pedal, until it feels firm, before releasing the parking brake. Test drive the Maxima in an enclosed area.