By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse
Short answer: The 2009-2023 Nissan Maxima is a full-size FWD sedan with four-wheel disc brakes: vented front rotors near 12.6 in, vented rear rotors near 12.1 in, five lugs per wheel torqued to about 80 ft-lb, and a foot-pedal drum-in-hat parking brake. 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.
The parts that fix this — verified to fit your Nissan Maxima
- 2016-2023 Nissan Maxima Front & Rear Brake Kit - Detroit Axle — $276.99
- 2016-2022 Nissan Maxima Front and Rear Brake Kit - Detroit Axle — $262.99
- 2009-2014 Nissan Maxima Front & Rear Brake Kit - Detroit Axle — $255.99
Ships from our Circleville, OH warehouse. Free shipping over $75.
What to Know About Nissan Maxima Brake Replacement
Understanding Nissan Maxima 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.
- Full-size front-wheel-drive sedan; the 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) drives four-wheel disc brakes across the A35 and A36 generations.
- Five lug nuts per wheel on a 5x114.3 mm bolt pattern; wheel torque is roughly 80 ft-lb (108 Nm).
- Front rotors are vented, roughly 12.6 in (320 mm) diameter on 2016-2023 models.
- Rear rotors are vented on 2009-2023 Maximas, roughly 12.1 in (308 mm) diameter.
- Parking brake is a foot-pedal cable system with drum-in-hat shoes inside the rear rotor hats, not electronic.
- Torque and thickness specs vary by year and trim; always confirm against the factory service manual.
Spec Chart by Vehicle Class
| Vehicle class | Pad thickness | Rotor thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Rotor type | Vented disc | Vented disc (A35/A36) |
| Rotor diameter | ~12.6 in (320 mm) | ~12.1 in (308 mm) |
| Lug count / pattern | 5 lug, 5x114.3 mm | 5 lug, 5x114.3 mm |
| Parking brake | Not applicable | Drum-in-hat, foot-pedal cable |
| Lug nut torque | ~80 ft-lb (108 Nm) | ~80 ft-lb (108 Nm) |
How to Diagnose or Replace
- Loosen the five lug nuts, lift the Maxima, secure jack stands, and remove the wheel.
- Remove the two caliper guide-pin bolts, then lift the caliper off the rotor.
- Hang the caliper with wire; never let it dangle from the rubber brake hose.
- Unbolt the caliper bracket and slide the old vented rotor off the hub.
- Clean the hub face, mount the new rotor, and torque the bracket to spec.
- Fit new pads, compress the piston, reinstall the caliper, then pump the pedal firm.
- For rear axles, back off the drum-in-hat parking-brake adjuster before pulling the rotor.
Once diagnosis is complete, order the exact replacement parts for your vehicle - fitment matters. Related Nissan Maxima 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.
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
| Job | DIY parts only | Shop parts and labor |
|---|---|---|
| Front pads (per axle) | $30-70 parts | $150-300 shop |
| Front pads + rotors | $120-260 parts | $350-600 shop |
| All four wheels, pads + rotors | $220-450 parts | $600-1000 shop |
| Parking-brake shoes | $25-60 parts | $357-438 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
- Torque lug nuts to about 80 ft-lb in a star pattern, then re-check after 50-100 miles.
- Honor the minimum-thickness figure cast into the rotor; replace rather than machine below it.
- Bed new pads with 8-10 moderate stops from 40 mph, avoiding hard drags.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the short answer on Nissan Maxima brake replacement?
The 2009-2023 Nissan Maxima is a full-size FWD sedan with four-wheel disc brakes: vented front rotors near 12.6 in, vented rear rotors near 12.1 in, five lugs per wheel torqued to about 80 ft-lb, and a foot-pedal drum-in-hat parking brake.
How much does Nissan Maxima brake replacement cost?
It depends on your vehicle and how much you replace. For example, front pads (per axle) runs about $30-70 parts in parts for a DIY job, or $150-300 shop at a shop with labor included. The full cost breakdown is in the table above.
What should I check first?
Key things to check: Full-size front-wheel-drive sedan; the 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) drives four-wheel disc brakes across the A35 and A36 generations; Five lug nuts per wheel on a 5x114.3 mm bolt pattern; wheel torque is roughly 80 ft-lb (108 Nm).
Can I do this job myself?
Many DIYers can with basic tools. The first steps are: Loosen the five lug nuts, lift the Maxima, secure jack stands, and remove the wheel; Remove the two caliper guide-pin bolts, then lift the caliper off the rotor; Hang the caliper with wire; never let it dangle from the rubber brake hose. The complete step-by-step is above.
Key Takeaways
- The 2009-2023 Nissan Maxima is a full-size FWD sedan with four-wheel disc brakes: vented front rotors near 12.6 in, vented rear rotors near 12.1 in, five lugs per wheel torqued to about 80 ft-lb, and a foot-pedal drum-in-hat parking brake.
- 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.
0 comments