🔧 Pathfinder - Rear Brake Pads and Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and both rear brake rotors on your Pathfinder. The rear rotors also contain small drum-style parking-brake shoes, so the parking brake must remain released while removing them.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level, solid ground and securely support your Pathfinder with jack stands.
• ⚠️ Keep the parking brake completely released. It operates shoes inside the rear rotors.
• ⚠️ Chock both front wheels because the parking brake cannot be used.
• ⚠️ Never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust may be harmful. Do not blow it away with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Support each caliper so its rubber brake hose is not stretched or twisted.
• ⚠️ Replace rear pads and rotors on both sides to maintain even braking.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnection is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm deep socket
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench rated 10-80 ft-lbs
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated 30-150 ft-lbs
• 6-inch socket extension
• Brake piston compression tool (specialty)
• 8mm x 1.25 rotor removal bolts, 40mm minimum length
• Flat-blade screwdriver with 6-inch shaft
• Small pick tool
• Rubber mallet, 16-ounce
• Wire brush with brass bristles
• Brake-pad hanger hook
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks rated for SUV use
• Brake-fluid syringe, 100ml minimum
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set with hardware - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2, replace in pairs
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• High-temperature ceramic brake lubricant - Qty: 1 packet
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle, only if needed

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📍 Park your Pathfinder on level pavement, select Park, switch off the engine, and remove the key from the vehicle.
• 📍 Release the foot-operated parking brake completely.
• 📍 Place SUV-rated wheel chocks tightly against the front and rear of both front tires.
• 📍 Open the hood and inspect the brake-fluid reservoir. If it is at the MAX line, remove a small amount with a 100ml brake-fluid syringe so it will not overflow when the caliper pistons are compressed.
• 📍 No infotainment service mode, scan tool, or electronic parking-brake command is required.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Nuts

• Use a 21mm deep socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel nut about one-half turn.
• Do not remove the wheel nuts while your Pathfinder is still on the ground.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear

• Use the 2-ton floor jack at the reinforced rear side jacking point shown in the owner’s manual.
• Position a 2-ton jack stand beneath the adjacent reinforced support point and slowly lower the vehicle onto it.
• Repeat on the opposite side if lifting both rear wheels.
• Gently push the body to verify that the vehicle is stable before beginning work.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm deep socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the wheel nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat away from the work area.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the upper and lower caliper slide-pin bolts.
• A slide pin allows the caliper to move sideways as the pads wear.
• Lift the caliper away from the pads. Do not pull on the brake hose.
• Use the brake-pad hanger hook to suspend the caliper from the suspension.
• Never let the caliper hang by its hose.

Step 5: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Use the small pick tool to lift the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper bracket.
• Use the small pick tool to remove the stainless pad-support clips if new clips are included with the pad set.
• Note the location of any wear indicator before removing the pads.

Step 6: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use the 19mm socket, 6-inch extension, and 1/2-inch breaker bar to remove the two caliper-bracket bolts.
• Lift the bracket away and place it on a clean surface.

Step 7: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Confirm again that the parking brake is fully released.
• Pull the rotor straight off the hub by hand.
• If it is rusted in place, thread two 8mm x 1.25 rotor-removal bolts evenly into the rotor’s extraction holes using the appropriate 8mm bolt head and 3/8-inch ratchet. Tighten them alternately until the rotor releases.
• If the rotor starts moving but catches on the parking-brake shoes, remove the rubber access plug with the small pick tool.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver through the access hole to retract the parking-brake adjuster a few clicks, then remove the rotor.
• Use the 16-ounce rubber mallet only around the rotor hat. Do not strike wheel studs or suspension parts.

Step 8: Inspect the Parking Brake

• Use safety glasses and visually inspect the parking-brake shoes, springs, and adjuster inside the rotor area.
• Do not disturb the shoes unless they are damaged, contaminated, or separating from their metal backing.
• If a shoe lining is loose or soaked with fluid, stop and replace the parking-brake components before installing the new rotor.

Step 9: Clean the Hub and New Rotor

• Use the brass-bristle wire brush to remove rust from the hub face and center pilot.
• Keep the hub face smooth so the new rotor sits flat.
• Use brake cleaner to wash both friction surfaces of the new rotor. Wipe it dry with a clean, lint-free shop towel.
• Do not put lubricant on the hub face, wheel studs, rotor surfaces, or wheel nuts.

Step 10: Install the New Rotor

• Slide the new rotor over the wheel studs without forcing it.
• If the rotor will not clear the parking-brake shoes, use the flat-blade screwdriver through the access opening to retract the adjuster slightly.
• Temporarily install two wheel nuts by hand to hold the rotor flat against the hub.

Step 11: Service the Caliper Bracket

• Use the small pick tool to remove the slide pins from the caliper bracket one at a time.
• Wipe each pin clean and inspect its rubber boot for damage.
• Apply a thin coat of high-temperature ceramic brake lubricant to the smooth portion of each slide pin. Keep lubricant away from the threaded ends.
• Reinstall each pin into its original position and ensure its rubber boot is fully seated.
• Use the brass-bristle wire brush to clean the pad-contact areas on the bracket.
• Install the new stainless pad-support clips by hand.
• Apply only a thin film of ceramic brake lubricant beneath the clips and where the pad ears contact them. Keep all lubricant off pad and rotor friction surfaces.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the bracket over the new rotor and start both bracket bolts by hand.
• Use the 19mm socket and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten both bolts to 85 Nm (63 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Install the New Rear Pads

• Place the new inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Install the pad with the wear indicator in the same position as the removed pad.
• Confirm both pads slide freely in the support clips without excessive looseness.
• Remove the two temporary wheel nuts using the 21mm deep socket and 3/8-inch ratchet.

Step 14: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place an old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the brake piston compression tool to slowly press the piston straight into the caliper bore.
• The rear piston presses straight inward; it does not need to be rotated.
• Watch the brake-fluid reservoir while compressing the piston and use the 100ml brake-fluid syringe if the level approaches MAX.
• Stop if the piston binds, tilts, or requires excessive force.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Remove the brake-pad hanger hook and lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Do not twist or kink the brake hose.
• Start both slide-pin bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten both slide-pin bolts to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Repeat on the Opposite Side

• Use the same tools and procedure to replace the pads and rotor on the other rear wheel.
• Verify every bracket bolt and slide-pin bolt is tightened to specification.

Step 17: Reinstall the Wheels

• Install each wheel and start all wheel nuts by hand.
• Use the 21mm deep socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the nuts in a crisscross pattern.
• Use the 2-ton floor jack to raise your Pathfinder slightly, remove the jack stands, and lower it to the ground.
• Use the 21mm deep socket and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten the wheel nuts in a crisscross pattern to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Before starting the engine, press the brake pedal slowly several times until it becomes firm. The first few presses may travel close to the floor.
• ✅ Check the brake-fluid reservoir and adjust it to the MAX line using fresh DOT 3 brake fluid only if needed.
• ✅ Apply and release the parking brake several times. Confirm it releases completely and both rear wheels rotate without heavy drag.
• ✅ Check around both calipers and hoses for brake-fluid leaks.
• ✅ Perform a cautious test drive in a traffic-free area. Confirm the vehicle stops straight and no scraping or grinding is present.
• ✅ Bed in the pads with 8-10 moderate stops from approximately 50 km/h to 15 km/h. Avoid coming to a complete stop between applications, then drive for several minutes to cool the brakes.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking or holding the pedal firmly while stopped during the first 300 km unless required for safety.
• ✅ Recheck wheel-nut torque after approximately 80-160 km.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹22,000-₹40,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹10,000-₹24,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹8,000-₹16,000 by doing it yourself!

Labor rates around Sonīpat vary by workshop and parts brand. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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