Operation Nissan Almera N16 requires regular maintenance, especially when it comes to the security system. The brake system is the component whose failure is unacceptable in principle. Many owners of this car are faced with the need to replace brake pads after a mileage of 30-40 thousand kilometers, which is a fairly high figure considering the quality of the road surface.
Timely replacement brake pads allows you to keep brake discs and calipers intact, which saves significant money in the long run. Ignoring wear signals such as squeaking, squealing or vibration when braking can result in critical damage. In this article we will look in detail at how to independently replace the elements of the brake system with Nissan Almera generation N16, using a minimal set of tools.
Signs of wear and diagnostics of the brake system
Before you go to the store for spare parts, you need to accurately determine the condition of the current brake elements. On Nissan Almera N16 There is no wear indicator that lights up on the dashboard, so diagnosis is carried out visually or by ear. The most obvious sign is the appearance of a metallic grinding sound when you press the brake pedal. This means that the friction coating has completely worn off and the metal base of the pad has begun to come into contact with the disc.
In addition to sound signals, pay attention to the behavior of the car during emergency braking. If the car pulls to the side, this may indicate uneven wear on the pads or jammed caliper guides. Also check the thickness of the brake disc through the service window in the wheel rim. If the disc has obvious grooves or wear, simply replacing the pads will not completely solve the problem.
It is important to understand that the rear pads wear out more slowly than the front ones, but replacing them often involves additional difficulties due to the parking brake mechanism. Regular inspection allows you to identify the problem at an early stage.
- 🔊 Metallic squeaking or grinding noise when braking
- 📉 Increased braking distance
- 🚗 Uneven braking or pulling to one side
Selecting the right spare parts and necessary tools
Spare parts market for Nissan Almera N16 offers a huge range of options: from original parts to analogues of various price categories. The original is usually marked NISSAN and provides the declared resource, but its cost may be overestimated. Many owners successfully switch to high-quality analogues from brands like Tokico, Nib or TRW, which are often produced in the same factories.
To carry out the work you will need a standard set of automotive tools. Pay special attention to the caliper keys, as they may be specific on the N16. It is also necessary to have a jack and reliable stands. Safety when working on a jacked vehicle should be the number one priority.
Do not skimp on brake fluid, which will have to be partially renewed when the caliper pistons are compressed. Use only fluid that meets specifications DOT 4specified in the operating instructions for your vehicle.
☑️ Tools for replacing pads
Step-by-step instructions: replacing front brake pads
We start work with the front axle, since it bears the main load during braking. Remove the wheel and secure the car on a stand. Inspect the caliper: if there are obvious brake fluid leaks, fix the problem first. Unscrew the lower caliper guide, which is usually secured with a 14mm bolt. The top guide may require a 12mm wrench or a special hex key.
Remove the caliper bracket and move it to the side, hanging it on a wire so as not to damage the brake hose. Take out the old pads. Pay attention to the presence of anti-creaking plates and damper springs - they must be replaced with new parts. If they are very worn or have lost elasticity, they also need to be replaced.
Before installing new pads, clean the seats on the bracket from dirt and rust. Apply a special high-temperature lubricant to the guides and the backs of the pads (where they contact the metal of the bracket). Under no circumstances apply lubricant to friction deposits!
Return the bracket to its place, first compressing the caliper piston. This can be done using a clamp or an old piston. Make sure that the piston enters smoothly and without distortion. Secure the guides with bolts with the tightening torque specified in the manual.
- 🔧 Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts
- 🧼 Clean the bracket from old dirt before installation
- 🛑 Check the condition of the guide boots
Before compressing the caliper piston, unscrew the brake fluid reservoir cap to reduce the pressure in the system and prevent fluid from overflowing back into the reservoir.
Features of replacing rear brake pads
Rear axle Nissan Almera N16 has its own nuances associated with the integrated handbrake mechanism. Unlike the front calipers, here the piston is not simply compressed, but screwed inward. An attempt to compress it with force or a clamp without rotating will result in the mechanism breaking. You will need a special tool to compress the pistons, or a simple combination of pliers and a piece of old pad.
The process begins with removing the brake drum (for a drum system) or caliper (for a disc system). If you have rear disc brakes, the algorithm is similar to the front one, but with the obligatory rotation of the piston. For drum brakes, you will need to remove the springs and pad retainers, which requires care as the springs have a lot of tension.
Pay special attention to the mechanism for adjusting the gap in the drum brakes. If it is stuck, the pads may not fit into place. Use WD-40 or penetrating lubricant to loosen threaded parts. After assembly, be sure to check the operation of the handbrake.
⚠️ Caution: When working on the rear calipers, be sure to rotate the piston clockwise when compressing, otherwise you will break the internal threads of the parking brake mechanism.
What is the danger of a jammed handbrake mechanism?
If the mechanism is jammed, the pads will constantly rub against the disc or drum. This leads to overheating, deformation of parts and loss of engine power due to rotational resistance.
Typical errors and guide maintenance
One of the most common problems when replacing pads is ignoring the condition of the caliper guides. If the lubricant in them has dried out or turned to dirt, the caliper will not move freely. This causes uneven pad wear (one wears out faster than the other) and overheating of the brake system. Always remove the guides, clean them of old grease and apply fresh special guide lubricant.
Another mistake is improper tightening of the caliper mounting bolts. Too little tightening will lead to play and knocking, and excessive tightening will lead to stripping of the threads in the aluminum hub. Use a torque wrench and refer to the torque chart. Also be mindful of locknuts and washers, which often get lost or become warped.
Some mechanics forget about ventilation of the brake elements. Make sure that the wheel rim has no deformations that could interfere with the caliper or caliper. Vibration on the steering wheel is often caused by the beating of the disc, and not simply by the crooked hands of the mechanic.
If you use cheap analog pads without anti-squeak plates, be prepared for the appearance of extraneous sounds. The quality of the metal and friction mixture directly affects driving comfort and the absence of squeaks.
- 🧴 Always change the grease on the guides every time you replace them
- 🔩 Do not tighten bolts by eye, use a dynamometer
- 🚫 Don't ignore the anti-squeak plates
- Disc with handbrake
- Drums
- I don't know for sure
- I have a different model
Technical specifications and compatibility table
To select the correct spare parts, you need to know the exact part codes and dimensions. On Nissan Almera N16 Depending on the year of manufacture and configuration, there may be different diameters of discs and standard sizes of calipers. Below is a table with the main parameters for the standard configuration.
| Parameter | Front axle | Rear axle (Disc) | Rear axle (Drum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New disc thickness | 24 mm | 18 mm | 9 mm (drum wall) |
| Worn disc thickness | 22 mm (minimum) | 16 mm (minimum) | 8 mm (minimum) |
| Caliper piston diameter | 54 mm | 38 mm | 32 mm (cylinder) |
| Original block code | D5520-59900 | D5520-59901 | D5520-59902 |
| Friction layer material | Organic/Semi-metallic | Organic | Organic |
Please note that the codes shown are basic ones. For an accurate selection, always check your vehicle's VIN. Different markets (Japan, Europe, USA) could supply different versions of braking systems even for the same model.
⚠️ Attention: The use of discs with a thickness smaller than the permissible minimum is strictly prohibited, as this can lead to their destruction when heated and brake failure.
Final assembly and performance check
After installing all the elements and putting on the wheels, it’s time to check the functionality of the system. Without starting the engine, press the brake pedal all the way down several times. You should feel that it has become hard. This is necessary so that the caliper pistons press against the new pads and eliminate the gap.
Only after this can you start the engine and move off slowly. For the first few kilometers, sudden braking should be avoided. Make several moderate stops to rub the friction coating of the pads onto the disc. This is a critical step that will determine future braking performance.
Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. When the pistons are compressed, the liquid rises, and if the level was at its maximum, it may spill out. Add or remove excess fluid until the level matches the mark MAX. Make sure there are no leaks around the calipers and hoses.
If a new, unusual sound or vibration appears when braking, stop immediately and recheck all assembly steps. You may have forgotten to remove the protective caps from the guides or did not clean the seats properly.
Proper grinding of the pads in the first 100-200 km guarantees maximum efficiency of the braking system and the absence of extraneous sounds.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change only the front pads?
Technically possible, but not recommended. If the front pads are worn to the limit, it means that the system was working at its limit, and the rear ones could also wear out. It is better to change in sets along the axles to ensure uniform braking.
Do I need to wipe brake discs before installation?
Yes, definitely. Use brake cleaner (Brake Cleaner) to remove factory preservative grease, dust and dirt. Never use regular rags for this, as they leave lint.
How do you know when it's time to change the brake disc?
If the thickness of the disc is less than the permissible minimum (indicated on the disc itself or in the manual), there are deep grooves, wear or cracks. The disc is also changed if there is strong runout, which cannot be eliminated by grooving.
How long does it take to replace pads?
For an experienced technician, replacing the front pads takes about 30-40 minutes, the rear ones - 45-60 minutes due to the complexity of the hand brake mechanism. A beginner may need twice as much time.