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

Nissan Note - a compact and economical hatchback, which is popular due to its reliability and unpretentiousness. However, even such a car has consumables that require regular attention. One of the key security elements is brake pads — their condition directly affects braking efficiency and road safety.

In this article we will look at how to choose the right pads for Nissan Note (including models E11 And E12), what to look for when purchasing, how to determine wear and replace them yourself. You will also find a comparison of popular brands, operating tips and answers to frequently asked questions from owners.

Signs of worn brake pads on a Nissan Note

Brake pads are a consumable item, and their service life depends on driving style, quality of parts and operating conditions. On average per Nissan Note they serve 30–50 thousand km, but this figure may vary. How do you know when it's time for a replacement?

Main symptoms of wear:

• 🚨 Creaking or whistling when braking - often indicates thinning of the friction layer or the ingress of foreign particles.
• 🔊 Metal scraping - indicates complete wear of the pads when the brake disc rubs against the metal base.
• 📉 Increased braking distance — the car slows down worse, the brake pedal becomes “wobbly”.
• 💨 Vibration or beat on the steering wheel when braking - may indicate uneven wear of the pads or deformation of the discs.
• 🚗 The car pulls to the side — one of the pads is more worn than the other.

If you notice any of these signs, do not delay diagnosis. Driving with worn pads is not only dangerous, but also leads to damage to the brake discs, which will cost more.

⚠️ Attention! On Nissan Note with the system ESP And ABS Worn pads can cause false alarms in the electronics. For example, the indicator on the dashboard may light up ABS or VSC.

Which pads are suitable for Nissan Note: original vs analogues

When choosing brake pads for Nissan Note owners are faced with a dilemma: to take original spare parts or analogues from third-party manufacturers. Each option has pros and cons.

Original pads Nissan (article for front: 40520-4M000, for the rear: 40525-4M000) guarantee perfect compatibility and stable braking performance. However, their price is often inflated, and the resource does not always live up to expectations. For example, many owners note that the original pads Nissan wear out faster than some premium counterparts.

Alternative brands offer a wide range of choices in price and quality. Below is a comparison of popular manufacturers:

Brand	Model/Article (front)	Price (set, rub.)	Features	Owner rating
AKEBONO	ACT907A	2 500–3 200	Soft, low dust, suitable for quiet driving	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Brembo	P 24 064	3 800–4 500	Long life, aggressive braking, more dust	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
TRW	GDB1446	2 800–3 500	Optimal price/quality ratio, medium dustiness	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Ferodo	FDB1446	3 000–3 700	Good wear resistance, low noise	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Bosch	0 986 494 219	3 200–4 000	Universal, suitable for city driving	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

When choosing analogues, pay attention to certification (For example, ECE R90) and friction material composition:

• 🔹 Semi-metallic - durable, but noisy and dusty.
• 🔹 Ceramic - quiet, generates little dust, but more expensive and less effective at low temperatures.
• 🔹 Organic - soft, silent, but wear out faster.

⚠️ Attention! On Nissan Note with engines HR15DE And HR16DE (1.5 and 1.6 l) rear pads often wear out faster than the front ones due to the characteristics of the distribution of braking forces. Check their condition often!

Step-by-step instructions for replacing brake pads on a Nissan Note

Replacing the pads with Nissan Note - a task of medium complexity that can be handled independently with tools and minimal experience. Below are detailed instructions for the front pads (the rear pads are changed in the same way, but additional tools may be required to position the piston).

Required tools:

• 🔧 Set of sockets and keys (14, 17 mm).
• 🔨 Jack and stops (or lift).
• 🔩 Brake pad remover or flat screwdriver.
• 🧴Brake fluid DOT-4 (for topping up).
• 🧽 Brake cleaner (eg. LIQUI MOLY Bremsen-Reiniger).
• 👓 Gloves and safety glasses.

Procedure:

Raise the car and remove the wheel|Clean the caliper and brake disc from dirt|Unscrew the lower caliper bolt (14 mm wrench)|Hang the caliper on a wire so as not to damage the hose|Remove the old pads and guides|Clean and lubricate the guides with special lubricant|Install new pads and reassemble the caliper in reverse order|Bleed the brakes after replacement-->

Pay special attention to the following points:

• 🔧 Caliper bolts often stick - treat them before unscrewing WD-40 or analogue.
• 🔩 Caliper piston may not press back in. In this case, use a special puller or carefully wedge it with a screwdriver while simultaneously opening the cap of the brake fluid reservoir (to relieve pressure).
• 📏 Gap between pad and disc must be the same on both sides. If one pad is tighter, check the guides.

After replacement be sure to bleed the brakesby pressing the pedal 5–6 times until resistance appears. Then check the brake fluid level in the reservoir and top up if necessary.

Common mistakes when replacing pads and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes that lead to premature pad wear or brake system failure. Let's look at the most common of them.

1. Untimely replacement of brake fluid

Brake fluid is hygroscopic—over time, it absorbs moisture, which lowers its boiling point and reduces braking performance. On Nissan Note it is recommended to change it every 2 years or 40 thousand km (whichever comes first).

2. Ignoring the condition of the brake discs

If the pads are worn down to the metal, they damage the disc by forming grooves or "shoulders" on it. In this case, it is not enough to simply change the pads - you will need to resurface or replace the discs. On Nissan Note The minimum permissible thickness of the front disc is 19 mm (nominal 22 mm).

3. Improper lubrication of guides

Many people use regular Litol-24 or Solid oil, but for caliper guides you need high temperature grease (For example, SLIPKOTE 220-R DBC or Molykote G-4500). Unsuitable lubricant can harden or burn out, causing the caliper to seize.

4. Installing pads without running in

New pads required running-in — for the first 200–300 km, avoid sudden braking. This is necessary for uniform rubbing of the friction material to the disc. Otherwise, the pads may “burn” or wear unevenly.

⚠️ Attention! After replacing the pads with Nissan Note with the system ESP Brake adaptation may need to be reset. To do this, you need to drive at a speed of >50 km/h and gently brake several times until you come to a complete stop.

Comparison of front and rear pads: what's the difference?

On Nissan Note Front and rear brake pads differ not only in size, but also in design. The front ones usually wear out faster, since they account for up to 70% braking force. Rear pads last longer, but replacing them can be more difficult due to the nature of the mechanism.

Front pad features:

• 🔹 Large contact area with the disc.
• 🔹 Require replacement more often (on average every 30-40 thousand km).
• 🔹 Easier to replace - the caliper usually does not require complete disassembly.

Rear pad features:

• 🔹 There may be drum type (on basic versions Note E11) or disk (on E12 and versions with ABS).
• 🔹 Often used on a disk system floating caliper, which is more difficult to parse.
• 🔹 Required piston layout clockwise (unlike the front ones, where it is simply pressed in).

If on your Nissan Note The rear brakes are drum type; replacing them will require:

1. Removing the wheel and brake drum (a puller may be required).
2. Cleaning the mechanism from old grease and dust.
3. Correct installation of new pads and springs (the diagram can be found in the manual).
4. Handbrake adjustments after assembly.

How can you tell the difference between front and rear pad wear?

Front pads usually squeak when braking at high speeds, while rear pad wear often manifests itself as vibration or the car pulling to one side. Also, the rear pads can “seize” when reversing if they are worn down to metal.

How to extend the life of brake pads?

Pad life Nissan Note depends not only on their quality, but also on driving style and care of the brake system. Here are some tips to help you save on replacement costs:

1. Avoid Aggressive Braking

Sudden stops from high speed increase the load on the pads and discs. Try to brake smoothly, slowing down in advance. This is especially true in a city where there are frequent stops at traffic lights.

2. Monitor the condition of the brake discs

Damaged or warped discs will accelerate pad wear. Check them regularly for grooves, cracks or uneven wear. If necessary, sharpen or replace the discs.

3. Use quality brake fluid

Low quality or expired fluid reduces braking efficiency and increases stress on the pads. On Nissan Note recommended DOT-4 from trusted brands (Castrol, Motul, ATF).

4. Clean your brake system regularly

Dust and dirt on pads and discs impair heat dissipation and increase wear. Once every 10 thousand km, clean the calipers and discs with a special cleaner (for example, LIQUI MOLY Bremsen-Reiniger).

5. Check the operation of the calipers

A stuck caliper causes uneven pad wear. If after stopping you notice a burning smell or one of the wheels gets hotter than the others, check the caliper for free movement.

Where to buy pads for Nissan Note: verified stores and prices

When purchasing brake pads, it is important to choose a reliable seller to avoid counterfeits. Below are proven options with approximate prices for 2026.

Offline stores:

• 🏬 AvtoVAZ - original and analogues from TRW, Ferodo. Prices: 2,500–4,000 rub. per set.
• 🏬 existential — a wide range of brands, often with promotions. Prices: 2,200–4,500 rub.
• 🏬 AutoSpetsCenter — original spare parts Nissan with a guarantee. Prices: 3,500–5,000 rub.

Online platforms:

• 🌍 Exist.ru — convenient search by article, delivery throughout the Russian Federation. Prices: 2,300–4,200 rub.
• 🌍 Autodoc.ru — frequent discounts, wide selection of analogues. Prices: 2,000–3,800 rub.
• 🌍 Kolesa-darom.ru - budget options, but there is a high probability of running into a fake.

When purchasing, pay attention to:

• 📦 Packaging — original pads Nissan have a hologram and protective stickers.
• 🏷 Article - must match the directory (for example, 40520-4M000 for the front ones).
• 📄 Certificate — the seller must have a document confirming originality.

⚠️ Attention! There are often fake pads on the market Brembo And AKEBONO. Original parts of these brands always have a laser engraved logo on a metal base.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about brake pads on Nissan Note

Is it possible to install pads on only one axle (for example, only the front ones)?

No, the pads are always changed in pairs on the same axis (both front or both rear). If you replace only one pad, this will lead to uneven braking and the car pulling to the side. The exception is if one pad is mechanically damaged (for example, the friction layer has broken off), but even in this case it is recommended to replace both.

Which brand of pads is best for aggressive driving?

For a sporty driving style, pads with semi-metallic composition from Brembo (P 24 064) or EBC (DP21446C). They can withstand high temperatures and provide a short braking distance, but wear out the discs faster and generate more dust.

Do I need to bleed the brakes after replacing the pads?

Bleeding is only required if you have opened the hydraulic system (for example, disconnected the brake hose). If you just removed the caliper and changed the pads, you just need to press the brake pedal a few times for the pistons to straighten. However, if the pedal remains soft, this is a sign of air getting in - then bleeding is required.

Can I use pads from Nissan Almera on Note?

No, despite the similar platform, Nissan Note And Almera have different braking systems. For example, on Almera N16 pads with article number are used 40520-60X00which are not suitable for Note E11/E12. Always check the catalog for the VIN code.

What should I do if the squeaking does not go away after replacing the pads?

The creaking may remain for several reasons:

1. The pads have not been broken in (you need to drive 200–300 km without sudden braking).
2. Low quality friction material (cheap pads often squeak).
3. Dirt or sand gets between the pad and the disc (needs to be cleaned).
4. Wear or deformation of the brake disc (grooving or replacement required).

If the squeak does not disappear after break-in, try applying anti-squeak paste on the back of the pads (for example, LIQUI MOLY Bremsen-Anti-Quietsch-Paste).