How to Replace Nissan Murano Brake Pads

The Nissan Murano is part of a growing class of vehicle known as crossovers. These vehicles combine the drivability of a car with the interior space of an SUV. Because of the size and weight of crossovers such as the Murano, their brake systems need to be sufficiently maintained to perform at their best. You can have a mechanic install new brake pads, or you can swap the old pads for new ones yourself and save the cost of labor.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Tire iron
Lifting jack
Tire blocks
13-millimeter socket
Ratchet
Jack stands
Screwdriver
Vise-grip pliers
1

Park the Murano in an area that allows ample space to safely work on both sides of the vehicle. Place the transmission in "park" and apply the parking brake. Place tire blocks behind the rear tires.
2

Remove the lugnuts from the wheels, using the tire iron.
3

Lift the Nissan with the lifting jack and place the jack stands beneath the frame. Lower the vehicle onto the stands, leaving at least one inch of clearance between the road surface and the tires.
4

Remove the wheels from the vehicle by pulling the tires away from the vehicle, off of the lugnut bolts.
5

Remove the calipers. The calipers surround the rotors and contain the brake pads. Remove the two caliper bolts located at the inner top and bottom of the caliper (nearest to the frame of the Murano), using a 13-millimeter socket and ratchet.
6

Remove the brake pads from the caliper. The brake pads are fixed to the caliper by metal clips that can be removed by hand. If the brakes are rusted, use a flat screwdriver to pry the clips away from the caliper before sliding them off.
7

Open the caliper piston. The piston is a ring that protrudes from the inner wall of the caliper. Squeeze the piston against the wall of the caliper, using vise-grip pliers.
8

Install the new brake pads. Slide the metal clips of the pads onto the caliper. Properly installed brake pads will face each other and mirror the curve of the caliper.
9

Replace the caliper over the rotor. Screw in the two caliper bolts, using a 13-millimeter socket and ratchet.
10

Replace the wheels on the lugnut bolts and screw on the lugnuts by hand.
11

Lift the Nissan Murano to remove the jack stands, and then lower the vehicle onto the ground. Tighten the lugnuts using the tire iron.
12

Press the brake pedal repeatedly until the response is normal.

Tips & Warnings

The brake pedal will offer little resistance when first depressed. The brake fluid that was expelled while opening the piston, will be re-injected into the caliper after pressing the brake pedal three or four times, resulting in a more normal pedal response.

Use jack stands. The lifting jack alone provides a dangerously unstable platform on which to work.