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.
2Loosen the rear wheel nuts on both of the rear tires with the wheel nut wrench.
3Lift the rear corners of the Maxima with a jack, and lower the vehicle, so it is supported by the jack stands.
4Remove the wheel nuts and rear wheels.
5Remove the rear brake parking brake cable bracket bolt with a metric combination wrench. Remove the bracket from the rear caliper.
6Remove the lower caliper bolt with a metric combination wrench.
7Pry/pivot the caliper upward off the pads and the rotor with the screwdriver.
8Turn 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.
9Pull 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.
10Apply 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).
11Apply the stick-on shims (supplied in the replacement brake pad set) to the backing plates of the replacement brake pads (unless staked).
12Install the replacement pads into the caliper mount, and replace the brake pad springs.
13Pivot the caliper downward over the pads and the rotor. Replace the lower caliper bolt, and tighten it with a combination wrench.
14Replace the parking brake caliper bracket. Tighten the bolt.
15Repeat Step 5 through Step 14 for the other rear wheel.
16Replace the wheels and wheel nuts. Tighten the wheel nuts, before lowering the Maxima to the ground.
17Tighten the wheel nuts to 80 ft-lbs., with a torque ratchet (in a crisscross manner) and a metric socket.
18Pump the brake pedal, until it feels firm, before releasing the parking brake. Test drive the Maxima in an enclosed area.
