How to Replace the Rotor in a Nissan Sentra

If your Nissan Sentra shudders when you come to a stop, it's time to inspect your brakes. If your brake pads and calipers look good but there's still a problem, then you need to replace the rotors, also known as brake discs. Rotors rarely need to be replaced, but if they become warped or worn down, then it's time to swap them out.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
New rotors
Jack
Jack stands
Socket wrench
Torque wrench
Mechanic's wire
Cloth
1

Get new rotors at your local auto parts store that are appropriate for your Nissan Sentra. Buy a pair and do the front end or buy two pair and do all four rotors at once. Never swap a single rotor, as this leads to uneven and unsafe braking.
2

Prep your vehicle for the job. Disable the battery by disconnecting the negative cable from the battery to prevent injury. Secure the disconnected cable securely to avoid reconnecting the battery. Release the parking brake.
3

Loosen the lug nuts on the first tire with a socket wrench and then jack up your vehicle and place jack stands under the sturdy parts of the vehicle. Make sure your Sentra is on level ground and block the wheels to keep it from rolling away.
4

Remove the tire and wheel assembly and then set it aside. Slide off the caliper by loosening the two mounting bolts with the socket wrench, and then support the caliper and attached brake hose with mechanic's wire so that it's safely out of the way while you work and so that the brake line doesn't get disconnected.
5

Take off the old rotor and then slide on the new rotor. Line up the new rotor on the pins in the same rotation that you removed the original rotor. Secure the new rotor with the holding screws provided.
6

Put the caliper back on and replace the mounting bolts with a torque wrench. Discard the mechanics wire and the then put the wheel assembly and tire back on.
7

Move on to each additional rotor that you need to replace, and when you're finished, lower your Sentra and then tighten the lug nuts on each wheel with a torque wrench or air ratchet with a proper adapter. Road test your car to make sure that everything is working properly.