Nissan Altima Brake Replacement Guide

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

Short answer: Modern Nissan Altimas use four-wheel discs: vented front rotors near 11.65 in (296mm), solid rears near 11.46 in (291mm), 5-lug hubs, and a cable drum-in-hat parking brake in the rear rotor. Some base or older trims used rear drums. This guide walks through the exact diagnostic steps, replacement thresholds, product comparisons, and cost breakdown so you can decide with confidence whether to DIY or take it to a shop.

Direct experience note: we ship these parts daily from our Circleville, OH warehouse to customers across the country. The picks in this guide reflect what fits, what lasts, and what our repeat-buyer mechanics come back for.

What to Know About Nissan Altima Brake Replacement

Understanding Nissan Altima brake replacement matters because it directly affects stopping distance, brake pedal feel, and how often you replace consumables. Getting it right the first time saves both money and follow-up shop visits.

• The Altima has used a 5-lug hub (5x114.3mm) across all modern generations, L31 through L34.
• Front brakes are always vented discs; diameter grows with larger engines and sport-tuned trims.
• Recent Altimas (2013-2027) run front rotors near 296mm and rear rotors near 291mm.
• Rear discs are typically solid, not vented; some base or older trims used rear drum brakes.
• The parking brake is a cable-actuated drum-in-hat inside the rear rotor hat, foot-pedal operated.
• Lug nut torque is about 83 lb-ft (113 Nm), tightened in a star pattern.

Spec Chart by Vehicle Class

How to Diagnose or Replace

1. Loosen the lug nuts, raise the car on jack stands, and remove the wheel.
2. Unbolt the caliper, hang it with wire, then slide off the old pads.
3. Remove the caliper bracket bolts and pull the worn rotor off the hub.
4. Clean the hub face, then mount the new rotor squarely against it.
5. Reinstall the bracket, fit new pads, and compress the piston before seating the caliper.
6. Remount the wheel, then torque lug nuts to about 83 lb-ft in a star pattern.
7. Pump the pedal firm, then bed the new pads with gentle stops.

Once diagnosis is complete, order the exact replacement parts for your vehicle - fitment matters. Related Nissan Altima brake replacement products are listed in the next section.

Recommended Parts and Where to Buy

Every product below is in stock at our Circleville, OH warehouse and ships same-day when ordered before 2 PM Eastern. Free shipping on orders over $75.

• Brake Pads
• Brake Rotors
• Bosch
• Brake Parts

If your exact vehicle is not listed, use the site search or filter the full brake parts collection by year and make.

Cost Breakdown - DIY vs Shop

DIY savings scale with vehicle size and job complexity. A full-size truck brake job saves $450-700 in labor. For most passenger cars, plan on 90-120 minutes per axle for pads only, 2-3 hours for pads plus rotors.

Install Tips - Where Most DIYers Go Wrong

• Verify rotor diameter by trim and engine before buying; 2.5L and 3.5L specs can differ.
• For the drum-in-hat parking brake, back off the shoe adjuster before pulling the rear rotor.
• Retract rear pistons with a wind-back tool, not a C-clamp, to avoid damaging the mechanism.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the short answer on Nissan Altima brake replacement?

Modern Nissan Altimas use four-wheel discs: vented front rotors near 11.65 in (296mm), solid rears near 11.46 in (291mm), 5-lug hubs, and a cable drum-in-hat parking brake in the rear rotor. Some base or older trims used rear drums.

How much does Nissan Altima brake replacement cost?

It depends on your vehicle and how much you replace. For example, front pads + rotors runs about $110-$220 parts in parts for a DIY job, or $300-$550 installed at a shop with labor included. The full cost breakdown is in the table above.

What should I check first?

Key things to check: The Altima has used a 5-lug hub (5x114.3mm) across all modern generations, L31 through L34; Front brakes are always vented discs; diameter grows with larger engines and sport-tuned trims.

Can I do this job myself?

Many DIYers can with basic tools. The first steps are: Loosen the lug nuts, raise the car on jack stands, and remove the wheel; Unbolt the caliper, hang it with wire, then slide off the old pads; Remove the caliper bracket bolts and pull the worn rotor off the hub. The complete step-by-step is above.

Key Takeaways

• Modern Nissan Altimas use four-wheel discs: vented front rotors near 11.65 in (296mm), solid rears near 11.46 in (291mm), 5-lug hubs, and a cable drum-in-hat parking brake in the rear rotor. Some base or older trims used rear drums.
• Measure friction material and rotor thickness at every tire rotation - catches wear before it becomes damage.
• Replace pads at 3 mm; below 2 mm is unsafe.
• Loaded calipers (with brackets, pads, and hoses) save 1-1.5 hours of labor per side over bare calipers.
• Bed new pads properly with 8-10 medium stops from 40 to 10 mph.
• Free shipping on orders over $75; same-day shipping on in-stock orders before 2 PM Eastern.

References

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. tirerack.com
3. tirerack.com
4. tirerack.com