Replacing the front brake pads on your Nissan D-series truck at home will save you a costly repair bill for a job that can be completed with basic hand tools in the driveway. The pads on the front of the D-series trucks are available from most auto-parts stores and come in different grades to match your driving style. The rear shoes are available as well, but the process for changing the shoes is a bit more complicated and may require a few specialty tools to complete.
Instructions
- 1
Loosen the lug nuts on the front of your pickup with a lug wrench about two turns; do not remove them from the truck. Place a jack under the front end of the truck and raise it until the front tires are off the ground.
2Position a set of jack stands under front suspension to support the truck ,then remove the lug nuts and pull the front wheels off the truck. Locate the brake caliper on the steering knuckle, then remove the lower pin bolt from the caliper with a wrench.
3Loosen the top pin bolt but do not remove it, pivot the caliper up and locate the pad retaining clips on the upper and lower end of the pads. Remove the pad retainers with a flat screwdriver, then pull the pads straight back and out. Discard the old pads.
4Slide the new brake pads into the bracket and clip the new retaining clips that came with your pads into place. Set them on the caliper and push to snap them in. Pivot the caliper body down and install the lower pin bolt.
5Tighten the lower pin bolt with a wrench until it is secure. Do not over-tighten the bolt or you will never get it out again. Move to the opposite side of the truck and repeat the process.
6Install the tires and lug nuts on the front hubs. Tighten the lug nuts with a lug wrench, then lift the front of the truck off the jack stands with a jack. Remove the stands from under the truck and lower the truck to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts completely after the weight of the truck is back on the wheels.
