Replacing Rear Brake Caliper on a 2000 Maxima?

[chisai88]

anyone know where a DIY is for this, or if anyone has done this and can tell me how easy or hard it is going to be, and if I need any specific tools to do so. Thanks. It's my girls car, and trying to score some points.

[maxhopper]

Have you ever replaced a caliper before? How are your technical abilities? Do you know how to bleed brake lines?

[chisai88]

I am intelligent, but the last time I worked on brakes was with disc brakes and I was really young. I have taught myself everything I know about cars, which might not be very much but I can figure most things out when I need to. As far as bleeding the brakes, I know that needs to be done, but no, I have never done it. Any help would be appreciated. I guess without bleeding the brakes you won't be able to get the brake pads/shoes off. (I think). Thanks.

[chisai88]

bueller.....bueller.....anyone.....anyone?ttt

[Beancooker]

To bleed brakes, Open the bleeder valve and have a friend press the pedal down. While he/she is holding pedal down, close valve. When valve is closed, have him/her pump brakes, then hold pedal down. While pedal is being held down, open valve, (fluid will come out when valve is open) when it stops squirting fluid, close valve and repeat until clean fluid comes out. Keep checking reservoir to keep it full. Start with passengers rear then drivers rear then passengers front then drivers front.

[MagikDragon]

Alright Dude, first off why are you replacing a 6 y/o caliper, is it bad already? what is the reason and who told you it needs to be replaced?

If you are going to do it you are going to need to listen up. Brakes are serious business, general rule of thumb when you replace something to one side of the system, you should do it to the other side. Not nessicerily true with calipers, but with pads rotors and bleeding.

Bleeding has nothing to do with taking the caliper off, but it has everything to do with getting the air out of your brake system, so you can stop the car. If it is not done properly, you might get in an accident.

Use the search button, replacing a caliper on any car is pretty much the same procedure. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask, but you will be ok if you just take your time and do a little research first.

[audtatious]

I also believe all 5th-gen need a tool to depress the caliper piston (as you must rotate it to get it to go in). Now, if you are simply removing a caliper and replacing it with another you may be fine. If you do replace the caliper, go ahead and replace the pads on both sides while you are there. I suggest Nissan OEM as I have noticed issues between OEM and aftermarket.

Make sure you bleed the brakes appropriately or you will not be happy with the outcome when the brake pedal hits the floor.

[Fezzik]

Hey Matt. Actually i thought a tool was also needed but i read in teh FSM and it says to use needle nose pliers to rotate the piston with the brake resivoir cap open. It was actuall not bad to twist back in. Just have to be careful with the boot that is around the piston making sure it doest get bound as you are putting it back into place. But of all things i didnt have a big enough c-clamp for the fronts so i had to have one of my neighbors drive me to home depot to get a bigger c-clamp. that's never fun.