Rear brake pads on Nissan Sunny (especially models B14 And B15) is one of those elements that require regular monitoring, but are often left unattended until squeaks appear or braking performance decreases. Unlike the front pads, the rear ones wear out more slowly, but replacing them has its own nuances: from the design features of drum or disc brakes to the correct adjustment of the handbrake after installing new parts.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions with photos and videos, a list of necessary tools, recommendations for choosing pads (including original articles and analogues), as well as unique tips for diagnosing wear without removing the wheel. We will analyze both versions of the braking system - both drum (on early models) and disc (on restyled models). Sunny after 2000).

When to change rear pads on a Nissan Sunny: signs of wear

The manufacturer recommends checking the condition of the rear pads every 20–30 thousand km, but their actual service life depends on driving style, quality of materials and operating conditions. For example, in city driving with frequent braking, the pads wear out faster than on the highway. Here are the key symptoms indicating the need for replacement:

  • 🔊 Creaking or whistling when braking - appears due to metal wear indicators built into the pads. On Nissan Sunny With drum brakes, squealing may be less noticeable than with disc brakes.
  • 🚗 Increased braking distance - if the car brakes worse than usual, even when pressing the pedal with the same force.
  • 🔧 Vibration or beat in the brake pedal - often indicates uneven wear of the pads or deformation of the brake drum/disc.
  • 🛑 Brake indicator light comes on on the dashboard (if your model has wear sensors).

For accurate diagnosis, you can use visual inspection. On disc brakes, the pads are visible through the wheel spokes (the thickness of the friction layer must be at least 2–3 mm). On drum systems, you will have to remove the wheel and look through the inspection window in the brake shield. If you see that the block has thinned down to the metal base, replacement cannot be put off!

⚠️ Attention: On Nissan Sunny B14 With drum brakes, a common problem is that the pads “sour” due to corrosion inside the drum. If a characteristic rustling sound is heard when moving backwards, this may mean that the pads do not completely move away from the drum - not only replacement, but also cleaning of the mechanism is required.

Which pads to choose: original vs analogues

When choosing rear pads for Nissan Sunny It is important to consider the year of manufacture and type of brake system. Below is a table with original articles and proven analogues:

Model and year Brake type Original article Popular analogues Notes
Nissan Sunny B14 (1990–1998) Drums 40520-4M000 NIBK PB1060, AKEBONO TBR1060, BOSCH 0 986 494 220 Springs and spacers included
Nissan Sunny B15 (1998–2004, restyled) Disk 40520-1M600 TRW GDB1446, FERODO FDB1446, TEXTAR 2513701 Compatibility check with wear sensors required
Sunny N16/N17 (Europe, 2000–2006) Disc (ventilated) 40520-4M600 ATE 13.0460-2769.2, BREMBO P 24 046 Often sold without mounting brackets

When choosing analogues, pay attention to friction material composition:

  • 🔹 Semi-metallic - durable, but can wear out discs/drums more and perform worse in cold weather.
  • 🔹 Ceramic — quieter and less dusty, but more expensive and require “grinding in” (the braking distance may be longer for the first 200 km).
  • 🔹 Organic - soft, make little noise, but wear out faster (suitable for quiet driving).
⚠️ Attention: On Nissan Sunny B15 with ABS, do not install pads without a slot for the wear sensor - this will lead to false alarms of the system! Check the presence of a groove for the sensor on the new part.
📊 Which pads do you prefer to install?
  • Original (Nissan)
  • Premium analogues (Brembo, TRW)
  • Budget analogues (NIBK, AKEBONO)
  • I don't know what to choose

Tools and preparation for replacement

To replace the rear pads with Nissan Sunny you will need the following set of tools:

  • 🔧 Jack And supports (or a lift) - it is strictly forbidden to work on a machine standing only on a jack!
  • 🔩 Balloon wrench for removing wheels.
  • 🔨 Hammer (for tapping the drum) and flat blade screwdriver (for removing springs).
  • 🔧 Socket wrenches at 10, 12, 14 and 17 mm (depending on the model).
  • 🛠️ Pliers for working with springs and retaining rings.
  • 🧴 WD-40 or similar cleaner - useful for unscrewing soured bolts.
  • 🩹 DOT-4 brake fluid (in case of bleeding the system).
  • 📏 Vernier caliper for measuring the remaining thickness of the pads/drum.

Before starting work, complete the following steps:

Remove the car from the handbrake and place it on a flat surface|Loosen the wheel nuts (but do not remove them completely)|Jack up the rear and install supports|Remove the wheel and clean the brake mechanism from dirt|Prepare new pads and grease for the guides-->

If you are working with drum brakes, first remove the adjusting plug on the brake mechanism shield and press in the cylinder piston by turning the gear wheel with a screwdriver. On disc brakes, the caliper piston will have to be pressed in with a special tool (or sliding pliers), but this must be done carefully so as not to damage the boot.

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Before replacing the pads, take a photo of the location of all the springs and rods on the old parts - this will help avoid assembly errors, especially on drum brakes Nissan Sunny B14.

Step-by-step replacement of rear pads on Nissan Sunny B14 (drum brakes)

Drum brake system on Sunny B14 is considered more reliable, but also more labor-intensive to maintain. Follow the instructions:

  1. Removing the drum. After removing the wheel, try to pull the drum off by hand. If it does not budge, screw two M8 bolts into the threaded holes on the drum (they are provided for this purpose) and tighten them evenly until the drum comes off the hub. Do not hit the drum with a hammer - this may deform it!
  2. Cleaning the mechanism. Remove dirt and rust from the inner surface of the brake shield. Please note the condition working cylinder — if there are traces of brake fluid leaks on it, it will have to be replaced.
  3. Removing old pads. Using pliers, remove the upper and lower tension springs, then the spacer bar. Carefully remove the pads, remembering their location (the left and right are different!).
  4. Installing new pads. Before installation, apply copper grease on the contact points of the pads with the base plate (but not on the friction layer!). Install the pads in reverse order, starting with the lower spring.
  5. Gap adjustment. After assembly, adjust the gap between the shoes and the drum by rotating the adjuster gear through the inspection window. A properly adjusted mechanism should allow the wheel to rotate freely, but without play.

On Nissan Sunny B14 This is a common problem with drum brakes. "wedging" of the pads due to corrosion on the axis of the support posts. If after replacement the wheel rotates slowly, disassemble the mechanism again and clean the axle of rust by lubricating it with graphite lubricant.

What to do if the drum cannot be removed?

If the drum is stuck to the hub, try the following methods:

1. Spray the joint with WD-40 and wait 10-15 minutes.

2. Tap the drum through a wooden spacer (not for metal!).

3. Use a puller or screw the bolts into the technological holes (if any).

4. As a last resort, heat the drum with a hair dryer (but not with open fire!) so that the metal expands.

Do not use excessive force - this may damage the wheel bearing!

Replacing rear pads on Nissan Sunny B15 (disc brakes)

Disc brake system on Sunny B15 easier to maintain, but has its own nuances associated with the caliper and guides. Work order:

  1. Removing the caliper. Unscrew the two bolts securing the caliper (usually 14 mm), then carefully hang it on a wire to the suspension spring. Do not disconnect the brake hose! - this will lead to air entering the system.
  2. Removing old pads. Remove the retaining clips (if present) and pull out the pads. Clean the caliper guides of old grease and dirt.
  3. Recessing the piston. Use sliding pliers or a special tool to press the piston back into the cylinder. On models with ABS, do this slowly to avoid damaging the sensor.
  4. Installing new pads. Apply high temperature grease on the caliper guides and the back side of the pads (at the points of contact with the caliper). Install the pads, making sure they are symmetrical.
  5. Assembly and testing. Secure the caliper, install the wheel and press the brake pedal several times until the piston is in working position. Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.

On Nissan Sunny B15 Rear disc brakes are a common problem. squeaking new pads in the first 100–200 km. This is normal - “grinding in” of the friction material occurs. If the creaking does not go away, check:

  • 🔹 Quality of the pads (perhaps a defect).
  • 🔹 Availability of lubricant on the caliper guides.
  • 🔹 Condition of the brake discs (if they have deep grooves, they need to be sharpened or replaced).
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After replacing disc brake pads Nissan Sunny B15 Be sure to check the operation of the handbrake! If the cables are stretched, they may need to be adjusted through the nut on the equalizer (located under the machine, near the rear beam).

Adjusting the handbrake after replacing the pads

On both versions Nissan Sunny (with both drum and disc brakes) after replacing the rear pads it is required parking brake adjustment. If this is not done, the handbrake will either not hold the car or will block the wheels when moving.

To adjust:

  1. Raise the handbrake lever 2–3 clicks.
  2. Jack up one rear wheel and try to turn it by hand. If the wheel rotates freely, the handbrake is loose; If it doesn't rotate, tighten it.
  3. Loosen the locknut on the cable equalizer (located under the machine, near the rear beam).
  4. Tighten the adjusting nut until the wheel stops turning with the handbrake raised, then release the lever and check that the wheel rotates freely.
  5. Tighten the locknut and repeat the test on both wheels.

On Nissan Sunny B14 with drum brakes, the handbrake is adjusted automatically when the wheels rotate forward after replacing the pads. However, if after 10–15 meters of movement back and forth the handbrake still does not hold, you will have to manually tighten the cable through the adjustment mechanism under the car.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes when replacing rear pads with Nissan Sunny. Here are the most common ones and how to prevent them:

Error Consequences How to avoid
Incorrect installation of springs on drum brakes The pads do not release and the wheel is blocked. Take photographs of the location of the springs before disassembling
Lack of lubrication on the caliper guides Creaking, uneven pad wear Use high temperature lubricant (eg SLIPKOTE 220-R DBC)
Unrecessed cylinder piston before installing new pads Unable to install caliper in place Use a special tool to press in the piston
Ignoring brake fluid check Fluid overflow when retracting the piston, air entry Before replacing the pads, pump out some of the fluid from the reservoir

Another typical problem is incompatibility of pads with wear sensors. On Nissan Sunny B15 with ABS, some analogues (for example, cheap Chinese pads) may not have a groove for the sensor. As a result, the brake indicator on the dashboard is constantly on, and the on-board computer displays an error. Before purchasing, check with the seller whether the pads are suitable for models with ABS.

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If the brake pedal becomes soft after replacing the pads, this is a sign of air getting into the system. Bleed the brakes, starting with the wheel furthest from the master cylinder (at Sunny this is the right rear).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing rear pads on a Nissan Sunny

Is it possible to replace only the rear pads without touching the front ones?

Yes, rear and front pads wear out at different rates, and their replacement is not related to each other. However, if you notice that the front pads are also worn out, it is better to replace everything as a set - this will ensure even braking.

How long does it take to replace rear pads on a Sunny?

On disc brakes (B15) an experienced master takes about 1–1.5 hours on both sides. On drums (B14) - up to 2–3 hours, since more operations with springs and adjustments are required. If this is your first time doing this, plan to work all day.

Do I need to change brake drums or discs along with pads?

Mandatory replacement is not required, but check their condition:

  • For drums: maximum internal diameter - 201.5 mm (for Sunny B14). If more, the drum must be replaced.
  • For disks: minimum thickness - 8 mm (nominal 10 mm). If there are deep grooves or cracks, the disc needs to be sharpened or replaced.

How often should you check your rear pads?

The recommended interval is every 20 thousand km or once a year. However, if you often drive on mountain roads or tow a trailer, check the pads every 10 thousand km. On drum brakes, a sign of critical wear is reducing brake pedal travel.

Is it possible to drive if the rear pads squeak?

It is possible for a short time (1–2 days), but it is fraught with:

  • Damage to the brake disc/drum (if the pad is worn to metal).
  • Brake fluid leak (if the cylinder piston is extended too far).
  • Brake failure in a critical situation.

A creaking sound is a signal for immediate diagnosis!