2005-2019 Nissan Frontier Front vs Rear Brakes: What Wears First and What to Replace

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

On a 2005-2019 Nissan Frontier the front brakes almost always wear out first. The front discs do most of the stopping work, so plan on replacing front pads and rotors more often than the rear set, then inspect the rear pads, rotors and the small parking brake shoes every time the fronts are done. This truck has disc brakes at all four corners, so there are no rear drum shoes to adjust for the service brakes.

How the Frontier Brake System Is Laid Out

The second-generation Frontier launched for 2005 with 4-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-lock Braking System, and Nissan kept that layout through the end of the generation. Nissan's 2005 and 2011 press kits both list 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS as standard equipment, and the 2018 owner's manual states that the front and rear disc-type brakes self-adjust every time the pedal is applied.

A few details matter when you shop for parts:

• Rear parking brake. The parking brake is a separate set of shoes that work inside the rear rotor. Nissan's owner's manual calls for a parking brake shoe break-in whenever those shoes or the drums/rotors are replaced, which tells you the rear rotor doubles as the parking brake drum.
• Stability control. Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) was standard on V6-equipped models in the 2011 lineup. VDC and the traction features work by applying individual brakes, which adds some wear the driver never feels on the pedal.
• Shared fluid reservoir. On manual-transmission trucks the brake fluid reservoir also feeds the clutch hydraulics, so a low reservoir can be a clutch leak as well as worn pads.
• Brake fluid. Nissan specifies Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or an equivalent DOT 3.

The Frontier was sold with a 2.5L four-cylinder and a 4.0L V6, in 2WD and 4WD. Brake parts can differ by engine, drivetrain and wheel size, so match parts to your exact truck, not just the model name.

Front vs Rear: Which Wears First and Why

When you brake, weight moves forward onto the front tires. That is why brake systems send most of the stopping force to the front axle. The Motorist Assurance Program puts the front share at about 70% of braking force on typical vehicles. On a pickup with an empty bed the effect is stronger, because there is little weight over the rear axle to begin with.

Loaded work changes the picture. A full bed or a trailer puts more weight on the rear axle, so the rear pads do more of the work than they do on an empty truck. Nissan's manual requires trailer brakes for any trailer over 1,000 lbs, and the Frontier was rated to tow up to 6,500 pounds when properly equipped. A trailer with working brakes takes a big load off both axles of the truck.

When the rear pads wear out before the fronts on a Frontier, something is usually wrong: a rear caliper slide that has seized, a parking brake that is not fully releasing, or a lot of traction control use on loose ground. Check for those before you just bolt in new rear pads.

Symptoms and How to Check Each End

The Frontier's disc pads have audible wear indicators. Nissan describes the sound as a high-pitched scraping or screeching that you hear while the truck is moving, whether or not you are on the brake pedal. If you hear it, get the brakes checked soon. Occasional squeak during light stops is normal; a constant scrape is not.

Other signs and what they usually point to:

• Pulsing pedal or steering wheel shake when stopping from speed: uneven front rotor thickness or deposits. If the shake is in the wheel, look at the fronts first.
• Pulling to one side under braking: a sticking caliper or contaminated pad on one side. Nissan lists checking that the brakes do not pull as a routine owner check.
• Grinding: the pad is worn to the backing plate and is cutting the rotor. Plan on rotors as well as pads.
• Truck rolls on a steep hill with the parking brake set: the parking brake shoes need adjustment or replacement. Nissan says the truck should hold on a fairly steep hill with only the parking brake applied.
• Brake warning light or falling fluid level: fluid drops slowly as pads wear, but a fast drop means a leak somewhere, including the clutch side on manual trucks.

To check wear yourself, pull a wheel at each end and look at pad material through the caliper window, both the outer and inner pad. Look for a raised lip at the outer edge of the rotor, heat spots and deep scoring. Measure the rotor against the minimum thickness stamped on the rotor or listed in the factory service manual.

What to Replace at the Front

A front brake job on a Frontier is normally pads and rotors together. Resurfacing is an option only if the rotor stays above its minimum thickness after cutting, and on a truck that sees heavy use it often does not. Replace in axle sets, both sides at once, so the truck stops straight.

• Pads: ceramic pads are a good daily-driver choice for low dust and quiet stops. See our ceramic brake pads and the full brake pads collection.
• Rotors: new rotors give the new pads a flat, clean surface to bed in against. Browse brake rotors.
• Kit option: for 2.5L trucks we carry a 2005-2019 Nissan Frontier 2.5L front drilled and slotted rotor kit with ceramic pads, which covers both front rotors and a set of pads in one order.
• Hardware: new abutment clips and slide pin boots keep the pads moving freely. A brake hardware kit is cheap insurance.
• Calipers and hoses: if a caliper is leaking, the piston will not retract, or one side wore much faster than the other, replace it. See brake calipers and brake hoses.

Torque the caliper bracket bolts and lug nuts to the values in the factory service manual, and bed in the new pads with a series of moderate stops before any towing.

What to Replace at the Rear

The rear job is similar to the front with one extra step: the parking brake. With the rear rotor off, inspect the parking brake shoes, springs and adjuster. If the shoes are thin, oil-soaked from an axle seal leak, or cracked, replace them. Our brake shoes collection covers parking brake shoe sets where we have fitment.

If you replace the rear rotors or the parking brake shoes, Nissan calls for a parking brake break-in procedure, described in the service manual. Skip it and the parking brake may not hold as well as it should. After the rotor is back on, adjust the parking brake so it holds the truck without dragging.

While the rear is apart, look at the axle seals. Gear oil or grease on the rear brakes means a seal leak, and new pads or shoes will be ruined until the seal is fixed.

Fluid, Inspection Schedule and How Hard the Job Is

Nissan's 2018 Frontier manual lists extra maintenance for severe use, which includes towing a trailer, driving on rough, muddy or salted roads, dusty conditions and heavy stop-and-go traffic. Under that schedule it calls for replacing brake fluid every 10,000 miles or 12 months and inspecting brake pads and rotors every 5,000 miles or 6 months. Many Frontiers are used exactly that way, so follow the severe schedule if it describes your truck. Use DOT 3 as specified.

For a home mechanic with jack stands and basic hand tools, a front pad and rotor job on a Frontier is a moderate job. The rear takes longer because of the parking brake shoes and adjustment. If you open a hydraulic line or replace a caliper, the system needs to be bled, and on an ABS truck that should be done carefully so no air gets into the system. When in doubt, a shop can bleed it for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2005-2019 Nissan Frontier have rear drum brakes?

No. Nissan lists 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS for this generation. The only drum-style part at the rear is the parking brake, which uses small shoes inside the rear rotor.

Should I replace front and rear brakes at the same time?

Only if both ends are worn. The fronts usually wear out first, so it is common to do front pads and rotors once or twice before the rears need them. Always replace both sides of the same axle together.

Why are my rear pads wearing faster than the fronts?

Check for a sticking rear caliper slide, a parking brake that is not fully releasing, or a lot of hauling and traction control use. A healthy Frontier normally wears the front pads first.

What brake fluid does the Frontier use?

Nissan specifies Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or an equivalent DOT 3. On manual-transmission trucks the same reservoir also feeds the clutch.

Do I need new rotors every time I replace pads?

Not always, but the rotor must be above its minimum thickness and free of deep grooves, heat spots and warping. On a truck that tows or hauls, new rotors with new pads are usually the better choice.

How do I know when the pads are worn out?

The pads have audible wear indicators. A high-pitched scraping sound while driving, even with your foot off the brake, means it is time to inspect and replace them.

Sources

1. Nissan News: 2005 Nissan Frontier Press Kit - 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS on the 2005 Frontier, towing up to 6,500 pounds
2. Nissan News: 2011 Nissan Frontier Press Kit - standard 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, VDC standard on V6 models, 2.5L and 4.0L engines
3. Nissan USA: 2018 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual - DOT 3 fluid, shared clutch reservoir, self-adjusting front and rear disc brakes, audible pad wear indicators, parking brake break-in, severe-use maintenance intervals, trailer brakes over 1,000 lbs
4. Motorist Assurance Program: Which Brakes Go Bad First, Front or Back? - front brakes handle about 70% of braking force and wear first