Brake pads for Nissan Almera: a complete guide to selection and replacement

The braking system is the foundation of any vehicle's safety, and Nissan Almera is no exception. Many owners of this model underestimate the importance of timely replacement of consumables, believing that original parts last forever. However, accident statistics show that brake failure often causes serious accidents in urban areas.

Operation Nissan Almera in conditions of dense traffic and frequent stops, it creates a colossal load on the friction linings. Ignoring squeaks or vibrations when braking can lead to brake rotor failure, which can result in much more expensive repairs. Your task is to recognize signs of wear in time and choose the right set.

In this article, we will analyze in detail how to distinguish an original from a fake, which brands offer the best value for money, and also provide step-by-step instructions for replacing it yourself. We will touch not only the front, but also the rear axle, since Nissan Almera (especially in the G15 body) there are design features that affect the choice of spare parts.

How to understand that the pads require immediate replacement

The first alarm signal is a characteristic metallic grinding sound that appears when you lightly press the brake pedal. This sound occurs because the wear indicator (a special metal plate) begins to contact the surface brake discwhen the friction layer thins to a critical level.

However, you should not rely only on sound, since modern pads can be equipped with electronic wear sensors. In this case, the corresponding lamp on the dashboard will light up. If you are the owner Nissan Almera with electronics, check the error code using a diagnostic scanner or on-board computer.

In addition to sound and lamps, there are visual and tactile signs:

• 🚗 The brake pedal travel has increased, it has become “softer” or fails;
• 🚗 The car pulls to the side during emergency braking, which indicates uneven wear of the pads on one of the axles;
• 🚗 Deep grooves or chips appeared on the rims, visible through the wheel spokes;
• 🚗 A burning smell appeared after active driving, even if you did not brake sharply.

⚠️ Attention: If you feel a strong vibration in the steering wheel when braking, it is not always the fault of the pads. Most often, this is a sign of deformation (beating) of the brake disc, which requires re-grooving or complete replacement.

You should not put off visiting the service if you notice at least one of these signs. Condition brake system directly affects your life and the lives of those around you. Skimping on this security element is like playing Russian roulette.

Original or analogue: what to choose for Nissan Almera

Owners Nissan Almera often face a difficult choice: buy expensive original parts or save on high-quality analogues. Original pads Nissan (catalog number often starts with D1060 or D1150) guarantees a perfect match of geometry and friction mixture composition developed by factory engineers.

However, the original is often unreasonably expensive, and its service life may be shorter than that of some premium brands. There is a rule in the world of auto parts: if you are not a racer or a taxi driver, high-quality analogues often surpass the original in terms of service life and lack of dust.

Let's consider proven brands that have proven themselves on Russian roads:

• 🛠️ TRW and ATE — German quality, excellent stability of the friction coefficient even at high temperatures;
• 🛠️ Textar and Zimmermann — European brands that offer a balance between soft braking and durability;
• 🛠️ Nipparts - a budget option, which often turns out to be of higher quality than cheap counterfeits of the original;
• 🛠️ Brake Engine — affordable Chinese pads, suitable for quiet city driving.

Don't take risks to save 500 rubles.

The myth of “eternal” pads

Many people believe that ceramic pads last forever. In fact, they simply produce less dust and are quieter, but their service life does not always exceed the service life of high-quality metal-ceramic analogues, and the price can be 3-4 times higher.

Compatibility table and catalog numbers

When purchasing spare parts for Nissan Almera generation and body type must be taken into account. The most popular in the CIS is the G15 body (restyled version). It is characterized by specific sizes of calipers and brake discs, which makes parts from older versions or other models of the concern incompatible.

Below is a table with the main catalog numbers for various modifications. Always check the part number with the markings on your old part before purchasing, as changes may occur depending on the manufacturer.

Axis	Model / Body	Original article	Popular analogue
Front	Nissan Almera G15 (1.5 / 1.6)	D1060-1FA0A	TRW GDB3395
Rear	Nissan Almera G15 (1.5 / 1.6)	D1150-1FA0A	ATE 13.0460-5801.2
Front	Nissan Almera Classic (B10)	D1060-4YB0A	Textar 2304101
Rear	Nissan Almera Classic (B10)	D1150-4YB0A	NK 205828
Front	Nissan Almera N16	D1060-AX00A	Remsa 1132.12

⚠️ Attention: Please note that items may vary depending on the year of manufacture and configuration. If you have a version with a turbo engine or reinforced suspension, the pad sizes may differ from the standard ones!

Step-by-step instructions for replacing front pads

Replacing the front pads with Nissan Almera - a procedure that can be performed in a garage if you have a basic set of tools. You will need a jack, wheel chocks, a set of wrenches (12, 14, 17), hex keys and caliper cleaning fluid.

Before starting work, be sure to place the car on a level surface, apply the handbrake and place chocks under the rear wheels. Don't rely solely on a jack - it's deadly.

The replacement process consists of the following steps:

1. Remove the wheel and clean the caliper from dirt and brake dust using a brush and a special cleaner.
2. Unscrew the two caliper guide bolts (usually a 7 or 8 hex). Remove the caliper bracket.
3. Remove the old pads. If they are stuck, carefully pry them off with a screwdriver, but do not damage the piston boot.
4. Clean the seats in the caliper and bracket with a wire brush.
5. Press the caliper piston back into the housing. To do this, use a special mandrel or just a lever. Important: Before pressing, unscrew the cap of the brake fluid reservoir so that the fluid does not spill back.
6. Install new pads. Check that they move freely in the guides.
7. Return the bracket to its place and tighten the guides to the torque specified in the service book (usually 25-30 Nm).

After assembly, be sure to press the brake pedal all the way down several times so that the piston comes out and presses the pads against the disc. Only after this can you move off.

Features of replacing rear pads

Rear brake system Nissan Almera has its own nuances, especially if the car is equipped with drum brakes or disc brakes with a hand brake mechanism. In most cases, the G15 has disc brakes with an integrated mechanical handbrake drive.

The main difference with the posterior procedure is the need to rotate the piston when returning it. Simply pressing it in with a screwdriver will not work, since there is a threaded mechanism inside. You will need a special caliper piston compression tool or adapter.

Key points when working with the rear axle:

• 🔧 Be sure to check the condition of the handbrake rod boot. If it is torn, dirt and water will get inside, which will cause the mechanism to jam;
• 🔧 When replacing pads, do not forget to clean and lubricate the contact pads where the pad rests on the caliper;
• 🔧 If you have drum brakes, remove the drum by prying it through the technological holes with a pry bar, and replace the pads, first adjust the handbrake.

⚠️ Warning: When working on the rear calipers, be extremely careful with the electronics. Some trim levels have a wear sensor, which must be carefully disconnected and reconnected, otherwise the lamp on the dashboard will not go out.

Do not try to forcefully turn the piston if it does not move. This may damage the threaded mechanism. It is better to use a special tool or adapter from a brake repair kit.

Adjusting the hand brake

After replacing the rear pads, the handbrake cable may need to be adjusted. This is usually done through a hatch under the trunk floor or under the bottom of the car. The tension should be such that the handbrake operates 2-4 clicks.

Grinding in new pads: why is it important?

Many drivers forget about an important stage - grinding in (running in) new brake pads. Immediately after installation, the friction layer does not yet have perfect contact with the disc, which reduces braking efficiency by 20-30%.

The grinding-in process takes from 200 to 400 km. During this period, it is necessary to avoid sudden braking and extreme loads. Slow down smoothly, giving the brakes time to cool. This allows the pad material to adapt to the disc surface.

If immediately after replacement you make sharp braking from a high speed, the friction layer may overheat and “harden”. This will lead to stains on the disc, vibration and constant squeaking.

The rules for running in are simple:

• 🚦 For the first 100 km, brake only smoothly and gradually;
• 🚦 Avoid full stops “all the way” from high speed;
• 🚦 Try not to overheat the brakes by prolonged braking uphill;
• 🚦 After 300-400 km, you can check the efficiency and return to your normal driving style.

Common mistakes when servicing brakes

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that ruin all the work. One of the most common is using the wrong lubricant. Lubricating the guides with graphite grease or ordinary grease is unacceptable, since these materials burn out at high temperatures.

The second mistake is ignoring the condition of the brake discs. If the discs have deep grooves, installing new pads will not solve the problem. The disc will overheat and the pads will wear unevenly. In this case, resurfacing or replacing the discs is necessary.

Cleaning the seats is also often forgotten. If dust or sand gets into the caliper grooves, the pad will begin to warp and jam. This will lead to overheating of the wheel and even fire.

List of critical errors:

• 🚫 Using universal lubricants instead of high-temperature ones;
• 🚫 Installing new pads on worn or deformed discs;
• 🚫 Incomplete compression of the piston before installation (the pads simply won’t fit);
• 🚫 Forgot to remove the protective caps from the guides before lubrication.

⚠️ Warning: Never use WD-40 or similar solvents to lubricate the caliper guides! This will lead to swelling of the rubber boots and rapid failure of the mechanism.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

What is the service life of brake pads on Nissan Almera?

The average resource of original pads is 30-40 thousand kilometers. High-quality analogues can last up to 50-60 thousand km. However, the actual duration depends on driving style and road conditions.

Is it possible to change only the front pads?

Technically it is possible, but it is recommended to change them in pairs on the same axis. If the rear pads are 50% worn, they should also be replaced to ensure balanced braking forces.

Why do new pads squeak after replacement?

The squeak can be caused by a lack of lubrication on the back of the pads, a lack of anti-squeak plates, or poor lapping. It is also possible that the pads are of poor quality.

How often should the brake system be checked?

It is recommended to carry out a visual inspection every 10-15 thousand kilometers or at each scheduled maintenance. If any extraneous sounds appear, the test must be carried out immediately.

What to do if the brake pedal becomes soft?

A soft pedal often indicates air has entered the system or the caliper pistons are worn. It is necessary to bleed the brakes and check the condition of the rubber seals.