How to Replace Front Disc Brakes in a Nissan Pathfinder

If you own a 2002 through 2005 Nissan Pathfinder and the brake light stays on for the entire drive or if it pulls to one side when you apply the brakes then you need to do some mechanical repairs to fix the problem. Replace the front disc brakes on your Nissan Pathfinder.
Difficulty: Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Brake pads
Syringe, turkey baster or similar tool
Brake fluid
Wood wedges or similar tools
Torque wrench
C-clamp or similar tool
Mechanic's wire
1

Park the Nissan Pathfinder on a flat surface. Place the parking brake on. Using a syringe, turkey baster or similar tool, siphon the fluid out of the master cylinder reservoir. Drain two thirds of the fluid out of the cylinder. If the level is less than half way full no fluid needs to be drained. Place wood wedges or similar tools behind the wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
2

Jack the vehicle up and secure it on jackstands. Remove the wheel assemblies. Remove the lower pin bolt from the brake caliper. Rotate the caliper up, allowing access to the torque member. Suspend the caliper from the frame using mechanics wire.
3

Remove the brake pads by lifting out of the torque member. Remove the hims and the retainers if they are not engaged onto the pads. Install the new pads. Reinstall the shims by engaging them on the torque member. Engage and enstall pad liners to each pad.
4

Compress the caliper pistons back into the housing using a C-clamp or similar tool. Remove the mechanic's wire and pivot the caliper back into position. Make sure that it is over the torque plate and that the dust boot is not pinched. Install the caliper pin.
5

Using a torque wrench, torque the bolts to 24 to 31 ft. lbs. Remove any trapped air by pulling, gently on the pin boot. Reinstall the wheel. Lower the vehicle. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery and start the engine. Fill the master cylinder reservoir with brake fluid and put the cap on.
6

Start the engine and apply the brake pedal 3 to 4 times seating the brake pads. Test Drive the Pathfinder at slow-to-moderate speeds to ensure that maintenance was performed correctly.

Tips & Warnings

Prior to performing the maintenance on your Nissan Pathfinder visit your local automotive parts supply store and purchase the necessary tools. Be prepared to provide the auto parts store employee with the make, model and year of your Nissan Pathfinder.