2006-2009 Infiniti FX35 Front vs Rear Brakes: What Wears First and What to Replace

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

On a 2006-2009 Infiniti FX35 the front brakes almost always wear out first, because the front axle does most of the stopping on every stop. Plan on front pads more often than rears, measure the rotors every time the pads come off, and treat the rear axle as its own job with its own inspection schedule rather than assuming it is fine.

This guide explains why the front and rear wear at different rates on the FX35, what each axle looks like when it is due, and which parts to replace together so the job lasts.

How the FX35 splits braking work front to rear

The FX35 is a rear-drive-based crossover (all-wheel drive was offered too) with four-wheel disc brakes. When you press the pedal, the vehicle's weight shifts forward. That load transfer plants the front tires harder and lightens the rear, so the front brakes can use more force without locking. Brake engineers deliberately build the system with front bias for exactly that reason. Summit Racing's technical help center notes that a 60-70% front bias is common on rear-drive street vehicles, and that manufacturers typically build in extra front bias for stability.

The hardware reflects that split. On the 2008 FX35, the front rotors are 320 mm in diameter and vented, while the rear rotors are 308 mm. Bigger, vented front rotors hold and shed more heat because they do more work. More work per stop means more friction material consumed per stop, which is why front pads on this SUV reach their wear limit first.

A note on model years: 2009 was the first year of the redesigned second-generation FX35, while 2006-2008 trucks are the facelifted first generation. Some brake parts carry across and some do not, so always confirm fitment by year and, if in doubt, by VIN before ordering.

Why the rears still need attention

It is tempting to skip the rear brakes because the fronts keep coming due. That is how rear rotors end up scored to the backing plate. Rear pads on the FX35 see less load, but they also run cooler, and a lightly used brake is more prone to corrosion on the rotor face and sticking at the caliper slide pins, especially in states that salt the roads. A sticking rear slide pin keeps one pad dragging, and that pad can wear down unevenly or even faster than the fronts.

Modern stability and traction systems also apply individual brakes to control wheel spin and yaw. That adds some rear brake use that owners never feel through the pedal. The practical takeaway: the rear axle wears more slowly, but on an older FX35 it still has to be measured, not guessed.

Symptoms: which end is telling you it is done

Front brakes

• High-pitched squeal while driving that goes away on the pedal - the wear indicator tab on the pad is touching the rotor.
• Steering wheel shake under braking - usually front rotor thickness variation from heat, often felt from highway speed.
• Grinding - pad material is gone and the backing plate is cutting the rotor. Stop driving on it; the rotors are now scrap.
• Pulling to one side - a sticking caliper or collapsed hose on one front corner.

Rear brakes

• Pulsation felt in the seat rather than the steering wheel - more likely a rear rotor issue.
• Rust ring or raised lip on the rear rotor face - the pad is only contacting part of the rotor.
• Parking brake that needs more travel than it used to - worth inspecting while the rear wheels are off.
• One rear wheel noticeably hotter after a drive - a dragging caliper.

Infiniti's own maintenance guide for the 2009 FX35 lists brake inspection intervals as short as 3,750 miles or 3 months for severe-service conditions, and 7,500 miles or 6 months in its standard schedule. A tire rotation is the natural moment to look at both axles with the wheels off.

What to replace on each axle, and what goes with it

Always replace pads in axle sets: both front wheels together, or both rear wheels together. Never mix pad compounds side to side.

Front job

For 2006-2009 FX35 fronts, pads such as the EBC Greenstuff 6000 front pad set (DP61671) for the 2006-2009 FX35 are listed for this vehicle. EBC describes its Greenstuff 6000 line as an upgrade compound for light trucks and SUVs with a medium dust level, low rotor wear, and a red brake-in coating for safe braking right after installation. Replace the front rotors if they are below the minimum thickness stamped on the rotor or if you have steering shake. Browse replacement brake rotors and brake pad sets, or low-dust ceramic brake pads if you prefer a quieter daily-driver compound.

Rear job

Rear pads are a separate part number from the fronts. Measure the rear rotors the same way; lightly used rear rotors often fail on rust pitting and lipping rather than thickness. Clean and lubricate the slide pins with a brake-specific grease and replace worn clips and shims from a brake hardware kit.

Either end

• Inspect the flexible brake hoses for cracks and bulges; an internally collapsed hose can hold a caliper applied.
• Check brake fluid condition. Use the fluid specification printed on the master cylinder reservoir cap or in your owner's manual, and do not mix types.
• Torque caliper bracket bolts and lug nuts to the values in the factory service manual, and tighten lugs in a star pattern.

How hard is the job, and should you do all four at once?

A front pad and rotor job on the FX35 is a normal driveway job for someone with a floor jack, jack stands, a torque wrench and basic sockets. The rear is similar, with the added step of checking the parking brake before and after. Bed in new pads with a series of moderate stops from medium speed before any hard braking.

Doing all four corners at once makes sense if the rears are already near their limit, if you just bought the vehicle and have no service history, or if the rear rotors are lipped and rusty. If the rears measure well within spec, there is no benefit in replacing them early just because the fronts are due. On the safety side, an NHTSA recall lookup for the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 FX35 returns no brake-related recall campaigns, so brake service on these years is ordinary wear maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my FX35 front pads worn but the rears still thick?

That is normal. The brake system is front-biased because weight shifts forward under braking, so the front pads do most of the work and wear first.

Can my rear pads wear faster than my fronts?

It can happen, usually because of a sticking rear caliper slide pin or piston that keeps a pad dragging. If your rears are worn more than your fronts, inspect the rear calipers before installing new pads.

Do I have to replace rotors every time I replace pads?

No. Measure them. If they are above the minimum thickness stamped on the rotor, have no deep grooves and cause no pulsation, they can be reused. Many owners replace them anyway because new rotors and pads bed in together cleanly.

Do 2009 FX35 brake parts fit a 2008?

Not always. 2009 began a new generation, so some parts carry over and some do not. Check the listed year range on the part and confirm with your VIN if unsure.

How often should I check the brakes on my FX35?

Infiniti's maintenance guide lists inspection intervals of 7,500 miles or 6 months in its standard schedule and 3,750 miles or 3 months for severe service.

Sources

1. Summit Racing Help Center - What is brake bias? - front bias percentages and forward weight transfer under braking
2. AllRotors - 2008 Infiniti FX35 brake rotors and pads - 320 mm front and 308 mm rear rotor diameters
3. Infiniti USA - 2009 FX35 service and maintenance guide - brake inspection intervals
4. EBC Brakes - Greenstuff 6000 Elite brake pads - compound purpose, dust level, brake-in coating
5. MartiniWorks - EBC DP61671 fitment - DP61671 listed for 2006-2009 Infiniti FX35 3.5 front
6. NHTSA recalls lookup - Infiniti FX35 - no brake-related recall campaigns for 2006-2009