1998 Nissan Altima Front Brake Repair Directions

In 1993, Nissan launched the sleek Altima sedan to replace the boxy Stanza that had been so serviceable over its production life. In 1998, the Altima underwent its first revision, then a second revision in 2002. The 2007 model year marked the launch of the fourth-generation Altima, which lasted through the 2012 model year. The 2008 Nissan Altima came standard with four-wheel disc brakes, and replacing the front brakes is a detailed, yet relatively simple task for an experienced do-it-yourself mechanic.

Instructions

Park your Altima on a flat and level surface, and loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels a turn with a breaker bar and socket. Position the floor jack under the engine cradle on the drivers side and lift that side of the vehicle off of the ground, then position a jack stand under the pinch weld just behind the front wheel and lower the vehicle onto the jack stand. Repeat the lifting and securing procedure on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheels off of the front hubs. Remove the two caliper-retaining bolts, using a ratchet and socket, and lift the caliper off of its mounting bracket. Hang the caliper from the front suspension spring, using a bungee strap.

Slide the brake pads from the mounting bracket and pry the pad retainers the thin, metal shims above and below the pads in the mounting bracket from the bracket with a flat-head screwdriver.

Drag your thumbnail across the rotor and feel for any grooves deep enough to snag your nail. If the rotor is smooth, proceed to the section titled Installation.
If the rotor has deep grooves, remove the caliper bracket bolts with a breaker bar and socket, and remove the bracket. Pull the rotor off the hub. If the rotor does not pull off easily, lightly hit it with a rubber mallet to free it first.

Proceed directly to Step 2 if you did not remove the rotor.
Clean the anti-rust coating and dirt from the new rotor, using brake cleaner and a clean, lint-free cloth. Align the holes in the new rotor with the wheel studs and press the new rotor onto the front hub. Install the caliper bracket and tighten its bolts to 98 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

Remove the paper covering the adhesive on the new multilayer brake pad shim all required shims and shim covers are included with the new brake pads. Align the multilayered shim with the new outer brake pad and press the shim onto the back of the brake pad. Remove the paper covering the adhesive on the single-layer shim, align it with the new inner brake pad and press it onto the back of the brake pad. Apply a coat of disc brake grease onto the shim on the inner brake pad, then align the inner brake pad shim cover with the brake pad and press the cover onto the pad until it clicks into place.

Apply a coat of disc brake grease to the caliper mounting bracket where the brake pad retainers mount and press the brake pad retainers into the caliper bracket. Slide the new brake pads into the caliper bracket.

Set a drain pan under the caliper and set the old inner brake pad in the caliper, so it contacts the caliper piston. Position an 8-inch C-Clamp over the caliper, so its fixed end contacts the rear of the caliper body and its screw side contacts the old brake pad. Open the bleeder valve on the top of the caliper by turning it a full turn counterclockwise with a six-point, box-end wrench, then immediately tighten the C-clamp until the piston retracts fully into the caliper. Immediately tighten the bleeder valve to close it. Remove the C-clamp and old brake pad.

Lower the caliper onto its bracket and tighten its bolts to 20 foot-pounds.

Repeat the removal and installation process on the other side of the Altima.

Install the wheels on the front of the vehicle and snug them. Lower the vehicle to the ground, then torque the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to 90 foot-pounds. Press and release the brake pedal until it feels firm, then check the fluid level in the master cylinder. If needed, add new DOT 3 brake fluid to the master cylinder until it reaches the Max level.

Drive the Altima to a flat road or parking lot with little to no traffic. Accelerate to about 25 mph and stop the vehicle under moderate power without locking up the brakes. Wait about two minutes for the brakes to cool. Repeat this step 15 to 20 times to burnish the pads and rotors.

Take the old brake fluid to an auto parts store or used automotive fluid recycler for disposal.