Replace the Rear Brake Pads on an Xterra

Replacing the brake pads on your Nissan Xterra is not hard to do. You can expect it to take you about 30 minutes to change the pads on each wheel. Friction is how the brake pads and rotors stop your Xterra. This same friction also wears out the brake pads. How often they need to be changed depends on how much you use the brakes. If you do a lot of driving on the highway, your brakes will last longer than if you do a lot of city driving. When you change the brake pads, inspect the brake rotors to see if you have to change them as well.

Procedures:
1. Park the Xterra on a level, paved surface and turn off the engine. Siphon about ½ of the brake fluid from the master cylinder with a turkey baster. Put the fluid in a drain pan for recycling. Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels. Raise the back end of the Xterra with an automobile jack on the side you are starting with. Place a jack stand under the SUV and raise it to the frame. Loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench and pull the wheel off the SUV.
2. Loosen the top bolt on the brake caliper with a socket and ratchet. Pivot the caliper down and away from the brake rotor. Remove the brake pads from the caliper. Insert the piston tool into the caliper. Turn the handle on the tool until it pushes the caliper piston into the housing.
3. Insert the new brake pads into the caliper. Push the caliper up and onto the brake rotor. Tighten the caliper bolt with the socket and ratchet. Remount the wheel onto the Xterra and tighten the lug nuts. Remove the jack stand from under the SUV and lower the vehicle to the ground with the jack. Repeat the procedure on the other wheel.
4. Add brake fluid to the master cylinder to bring it to the proper level. Pump the brakes until the pedal is firm to seat the brake pads on the rotors.