How Do I Troubleshoot Nissan Brakes?

The brake system on your Nissan has many components that can cause problems when they go bad. Usually, the biggest problem is understanding the actual troubleshooting steps. With all of the brake system components, it can get somewhat confusing at times to figure out which one is the culprit. Knowing the proper steps to diagnose the brake system will make your job much easier and make it more likely that you will diagnose it properly the first time.

Instructions

Jack up the vehicle and secure it on jack stands.

Remove the lug nuts using a ratchet and socket, then remove the wheels from the vehicle.

Check the hardware of the brake system to make certain no metal pieces are rubbing against any moving parts.

Examine the condition of the rotor. Large grooves in the rotor can cause a squealing sound. If there are grooves, replace the rotors or have them resurfaced.

Check the thickness of the brake pads. The pads should be at least the thickness of two pennies stacked together. If they are not, replace them.

Remove the slide pins that hold the calipers to the brake system. Inspect the slide pins for heavy rust or lack of lubrication. Clean and lubricate, then recheck.

Push the flat end of a pry bar between the brake pad and rotor.

Pry on the pad and make certain the caliper compresses. This can be verified as you see the caliper move a few inches. If is does not compress, then it is frozen. Replace or rebuild the caliper, then recheck.

Open the hood and check the fluid level of the brake master cylinder.

Check the undercarriage of the car for any brake fluid leaks. Inspect the brake calipers and the hoses that connect to the caliper. Repair any leaks then recheck.

Check for air in the brake lines. Have a friend pump the brake pedal until it feels firm then open a bleeder valve, located at the top of each caliper, using a wrench. Listen for the sound of air escaping. If air is detected, bleed the brakes. To do this, pump the brake pedal until it is fully pressurized. Then while holding the pedal, have a friend loosen the bleeder valve until fluid flows out. Repeat this step until only fluid comes out of the valve.