Replacing rear brake pads with Nissan X-Trail T32 (2014–2021) is a procedure that many owners prefer to do themselves. And for good reason: if you have a minimum set of tools and accuracy, the work will take no more than 1–1.5 hours. However, there are nuances that distinguish rear axle from the front: often found here drum brakes (on basic versions) or disc with hand brake (on versions with All Mode 4x4-i). In this article we will analyze both options, indicate typical mistakes and give recommendations on the selection of spare parts.

According to the regulations Nissan Rear pads require replacement every 40–60 thousand km, but the actual period depends on driving style and quality of materials. For example, on machines with diesel engine 1.6 dCi wear occurs faster due to greater weight, and on gasoline 2.0/2.5 - slower. We have collected data on original articles, analogues and unique feature of the T32: on some versions, when replacing the pads, the handbrake adaptation must be reset via a diagnostic scanner.

What kind of pads are on the rear of the Nissan X-Trail T32: drum vs disc

On Nissan X-Trail T32 The rear brake system depends on the configuration and year of manufacture:

  • 🔧 Drum brakes - installed on basic versions with front wheel drive (2WD) and engines 1.6/2.0 petrol, 1.6 dCi diesel until 2017. Article number of original pads: 40520-4M000 (set for 2 wheels).
  • 🔘 Disc brakes - for everyone all-wheel drive (4WD) versions, as well as 2WD with engines 2.5 petrol And 1.7 dCi after 2017. Original pads: 40520-1M60A (with wear indicator) or 40520-1M60B (without sensor).

How to determine what kind of brakes yours has X-Trail? Look through the wheel spokes: if visible metal drum - you have the first option if brake disc and caliper - second. You can also check by VIN code through services like Nissan Parts Europe or ETIKA.

Important: on disk versions with electronic hand brake (EPB) required after replacing pads adaptation reset through diagnostic equipment (for example, Launch X431 or Delphi DS150E). Without this, the brake may not work correctly!

📊 What kind of braking system does your X-Trail T32 have at the rear?
  • Drum brakes
  • Disc brakes without EPB
  • Disc brakes with EPB
  • I don't know

Tools and materials: what you need for work

Before starting work, prepare the following kit:

Category Tool/material Note
Main tool Jack, wheel wrench, wheel chocks Be sure to secure the car!
For drum brakes Flat head screwdriver, pliers, spring puller Springs may shoot out - use safety glasses
For disc brakes Socket wrench 14, hexagon 7, sliding pliers To retract the caliper piston
Consumables DOT-4 Brake Fluid, Copper Lube, Brake Cleaner Do not use WD-40 to lubricate the guides!

Additionally you may need:

  • 🔩 Brake drum puller (if the drum is “stuck”).
  • 🔧 Socket set with extension to unscrew the caliper guides.
  • 📱 Diagnostic scanner (for cars with EPB).

Loosen the wheel bolts on a jacked car|Put jack stands under the front wheels|Clean the caliper/drum from dirt|Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir-->

Step-by-step replacement of rear pads on drum brakes

Drum system on X-Trail T32 considered more reliable, but less effective. But it is easier to maintain. Follow the instructions:

  1. Remove the wheel and clean the drum from dirt. If the drum cannot be removed, unscrew the guide bolts (usually with a Phillips screwdriver) and lightly tap the edge with a rubber hammer.

  2. Remove the springs: first the top tie, then the bottom. Use pliers or a special puller. Be careful - the springs are under tension!

  3. Remove the pads. Pay attention to the location spacer strip And handbrake lever - they will need to be installed back in the same order.

  4. Clean and lubricate all contact points (places of friction between the pads and the shield) copper grease. Do not use graphite or lithol!

  5. Install new pads and reassemble the mechanism in reverse order. After installation Press the brake pedal 3–4 timesso that the pads fall into place.

⚠️ Attention: If, after replacement, the brake “grips” only when pressed hard, check the adjustment of the gap between the pads and the drum. On X-Trail T32 it is carried out automatically, but sometimes manual adjustment is required through a hole in the shield.
How to remove a “stuck” drum?

If the drum does not come off even after unscrewing the guides, try the following method:

1. Screw back the 2 wheel bolts (tighten them 2-3 turns).

2. Tighten them sharply crosswise - the drum should “lift” from its seat.

3. If that doesn’t help, use a puller or heat the drum with a hair dryer (do not overheat!).

Replacing rear pads on disc brakes (including EPB)

The disk system is more complex, but more efficient. On X-Trail T32 with electronic handbrake there are two key points:

  1. Retract the caliper piston. On machines with EPB you can’t just press it in - you have to rotate clockwise special tool (for example, Lisle 25800). Without it, you can try to turn it with pliers, but this is risky.

  2. Reset adaptation. After replacing the pads electronic handbrake you need to “teach” new parameters. To do this:

    1. Подключите сканер (например, Launch X431).

    2. Выберите меню: Nissan → X-Trail → Torque EPB → Service Reset.
    

    3. Следуйте инструкциям на экране (обычно требуется нажать педаль тормоза и удерживать кнопку ручника).

For cars without EPB (mechanical handbrake) the process is simpler:

  1. Remove the wheel and unscrew the two caliper bolts (usually 14).
  2. Hang the caliper on a wire to avoid damaging the hose.
  3. Remove the old pads and clean the guides.
  4. Install new pads, lubricating guides (not the pads themselves!) with special lubricant (for example, TRW PFG110).
  5. Press the caliper piston with sliding pliers and reassemble everything in reverse order.
⚠️ Attention: On X-Trail T32 with diesel engine 1.6 dCi after replacing the pads the error may come on C1130 (wear sensor malfunction). It can only be reset by diagnostic equipment!
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If there is no scanner to reset the EPB, you can try to “deceive” the system: after replacing the pads, start the car, turn on the handbrake for 5 seconds, then turn it off. Repeat 3 times. Sometimes this helps reset the adaptation.

Choice of pads: original vs analogues, which is better for T32

Original pads Nissan guarantee compatibility, but their price is often too high. Let's look at the alternatives:

Brake type Original (item) Recommended analogues Note
Drums 40520-4M000 TRW GDB1446, Brembo P66030, Ferodo FSB621 TRW — best price/quality balance
Disk (without EPB) 40520-1M60B Akebono ACT907A, Textar 2465501, Bosch 0986494793 Akebono — softer than the original, less dusty
Disk (with EPB) 40520-1M60A ATE 13.0460-7210.2, Pagid 66259, Zimmermann 140.3806.20 ATE — the best choice for aggressive driving

When choosing analogues, pay attention to:

  • 🔍 Presence of wear sensor (if it was on the old pads).
  • 📏 Friction material thickness - at least 8–10 mm for new pads.
  • 🌡️ Temperature: for X-Trail T32 pads with markings are suitable ECE R90.

Avoid cheap brands like Febi or Mapco — they wear out quickly and can damage the discs. Optimal choice in terms of price/quality ratio: TRW or Akebono.

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On disc brakes X-Trail T32 pads with ceramic composition (For example, Akebono ACT907A) last longer and generate less dust, but cost 20–30% more than standard ones.

Typical replacement mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes. Here are the most common:

  • 🔧 Unlubricated caliper guides → pads get stuck, uneven wear. Solution: use special grease for calipers (not Litol!).
  • 🚗 Forgot to reset EPB → the handbrake does not hold or blocks the wheels. Solution: Reset adaptation by scanner.
  • 🔩 Retightened the caliper bolts → deformation of the brake disc. Solution: tightening torque - 30–35 Nm.
  • 🔥 Used WD-40 to clean → corrodes rubber seals. Solution: only brake cleaner (For example, Liqui Moly Bremsen-Reiniger).

Another common problem is squeak after replacement. Reasons:

  • The pads are not worn in (will disappear after 100–200 km).
  • Lubricant applied to friction material (replacement pads required!).
  • Cheap pads with metal inclusions (the solution is to replace them with ceramic).
⚠️ Attention: If the brake pedal becomes soft after replacement, check the brake fluid level and bleed the system. On X-Trail T32 with ABS Pumping must be done in strict sequence: right rear → left rear → right front → left front.

When to change brake discs and drums: wear criteria

Pads are only half of the braking system. It is equally important to monitor the condition disks or drums:

element Allowable wear Symptoms of a problem
Brake disc Minimum thickness: 18 mm (new - 20 mm) Vibration on the steering wheel, deep grooves, runout
Drum Max. diameter: 230.5 mm (new - 228.6 mm) Uneven braking, squeaking, overheating

How to check the disk:

  1. Remove the wheel and measure the thickness of the disk with a caliper at 3-4 points.
  2. Check the runout: if it exceeds 0.15 mm, the disc needs to be sharpened or replaced.
  3. Inspect for cracks or deep grooves (greater than 0.5 mm).

For drums:

  • Remove the drum and measure the inner diameter.
  • Check for availability ellipse (difference in diameter is more than 0.1 mm).
  • Please note work surface - if it has become a “step”, the drum must be replaced.

On X-Trail T32 original rear discs have the article number 40526-1M600 (diameter 292 mm), drums - 40520-4M001. Good analogues: Brembo 09.9662.11 (disks), TRW GDB340 (drums).

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to change the pads on only one wheel?

No! Pads are always changing in pairs on the same axis (left and right rear wheel). Otherwise, the braking force will be distributed unevenly, which will lead to skidding and accelerated wear.

How much do the original pads for the X-Trail T32 cost?

Prices for original pads (2026):

  • Drums (40520-4M000) — ~2,500–3,000 rub. per set.
  • Disk (40520-1M60A) — ~4,000–4,500 rub. per set.

Analogs will cost 1.5–2 times less.

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

Pumping is only needed if:

  • Have you disconnected the brake hoses?
  • The brake fluid level has dropped below the minimum level.
  • The brake pedal has become "soft".

If you just changed the pads, bleeding is not required.

What brake fluid should I fill in the X-Trail T32?

Manufacturer recommends DOT-4 with a boiling point not lower than 230°C. Optimal options:

  • Nissan KE902-99932 (original).
  • Castrol React DOT4 Low Temp.
  • Motul DOT 4 100%.

The volume for a complete replacement is ~1 liter.

Is it possible to drive if one brake pad squeaks?

Creak one pad often indicates:

  • Worn to metal (urgent replacement required!).
  • Dirt or sand getting between the pad and disc.
  • Pad defect (for example, friction material peeling off).

You can drive, but no more than 200–300 km - further risk of damaging the disk.