Nissan Pathfinder Front Brake Pad replacement (2005 - 2012)

How to replace front brake pads on 2005 - 2012 Nissan Pathfinder.
Replacing the front brake pads on the 2005 - 2012 is not very difficult and can be done with minimal tools. One thing to look for is the springs located in the brake pads. This vehicle was missing a spring and as a result had uneven pad wear.
The best caliper lube you will find for rubber/pins/sliders/rear of pads amzn.to/3vpMs9i
Link for Caliper piston tool if you don't have one:
Amazon.ca amzn.to/3f3mueb
Amazon.com amzn.to/3jPfKnR
For Brake Pads on Amazon.ca
Wagner Quick Stop, a good brake pad amzn.to/2RRXT2F
Wagner ThermoQuiet premium pad amzn.to/302WPxq
For Brake Pads on Amazon.com
Wagner Quick Stop, a good brake pad amzn.to/3kFYLUq
Wagner Thermoquiet premium pads amzn.to/3kAf5Gi
As an Amazon affiliate member I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, this does not affect your price at all. Please consider supporting the channel :)
If you have any comments please let me know and if you enjoyed the video please consider subscribing :)
#garageking

[@GarageKing]

Bosch pads are currently on sale, and they come with the grease and shims amzn.to/3IL34Ln

[@NWSanta]

I know this video is 3 years old but, I appreciate all the step by step. I've been doing breaks for 30 years as a kid and a Dad and I've never greased my slide pins!! Egad! What have I done. You can bed I will do it from now on! Thank you for this great video!

[@GarageKing]

Hey Thanks for the great comment and I do appreciate it. This was one of my earlier videos !!! Crazy how time flies !! Thanks again and hope you are enjoying your weekend :)

[@Coopsfixeruppershop]

Thanks for vid! Mine seemed fine until two days ago, now they hit wear indicator..... This vid helped reassure it's and easy job before I pick up my parts!

[@GarageKing]

Thanks for the comment, I do appreciate it !!! The job is actually not that hard to do, just lay everything out, and make sure you do a good cleaning !!!!

[@carlkwasnjuk9518]

Thank you for this video! Just did mine today on my 2010 Nissan Pathfinder with the help of this video. I purchased from Advance Auto ceramic brake pads and only one of the pads had the metal tab that will eventually rub the rotor when the pads are wearing thin. I still installed them rather than put everything back together just to run and exchange them. Oh well.

[@GarageKing]

Thanks for the comment. Not a big deal regarding the wear indicator. I do notice on some sets there is only one pad out of the 4 that has the indicator, and at other times there are 2 wear indicators that clip onto one pad on each side, and lastly sometimes two pads have the wear indicators installed so it depends on the manufacturer. I think you did well but just doing the job yourself. I wouldn't worry about it !! Have a great weekend :)

[@pittviscous]

Never ran across the springs before Thanks🤘

[@GarageKing]

Thank you for the great comment and hope you are enjoying your weekend :)

[@user-ss5dz3it2d]

Great video, I have never done my breaks on my vehicles. I've paid lots of money having some professional shops do my breaks and most of the time not satisfied with their work. Next time I will see this video as I do my own break pads replacement. Easy to follow. Good job. Thanks...

[@GarageKing]

Thank you for the comment, and if you tackle your brakes you will definitely be saving some cash, plus you can take your time and make sure everything is done right.

[@darcybutler69]

Thanks for the great video . Just finished my brake job on my 2006 Nissan pathfinder , your video worked great thank you.

[@GarageKing]

Thanks for the comment brother!!!! Do appreciate it and glad you saved a few bucks by doing your brakes yourself!!! Have a great weekend :)

[@breezykramer2721]

Thank you Thank you!!! Learned a bunch!!!!! I usually take my 2010 pathfinder to my mechanic friend to fix. But he's being a grouchy bastard! So time to fix myself!!! I've done brakes on other cars and never learned the difference between caliper grease and anti-seize.. Thanks a bunch, getting a bottle not a tiny tube of each. Great video.. keep up the awesome jobs.

[@GarageKing]

Thanks so much for the great comment :) I really appreciate that, and no one likes dealing with a grouchy bastard haha!!!! Enjoy your weekend :)

[@tannertheilen2073]

Thanks for the informative video. Just changed brake pads on my own (with your guidance) for the first time on my 2009 Pathfinder.

[@GarageKing]

That is awesome, glad I could help out. I love when people tackle these types of jobs because you can save some cash, and don't get ripped off as you know the job is done right !!! More importantly you build some confidence !! These are the type of comments that keep me going, thanks :)

[@armandotorres3232]

I have a 2008 Nissan this video was a great help when I opened up my brakes I noticed on both of my brakes the springs were snapped or missing

[@fijikingcomedy4333]

Very nice and informative videos. Really clearly explained step by step. Thank you. I will on my Nissan tomorrow. Wish me luck.

[@GarageKing]

I do wish you luck !!! It’s empowering to fix your own vehicle plus you can save some cash !! Thanks for the comment:)

[@steven_ewen]

Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. Cheers

[@GarageKing]

Thanks for the comment, I do appreciate it. I read every one !!!!

[@davida7370]

Thank you so much very helpful

[@GarageKing]

Thank you for the great comment, sorry for the tardy reply, I just got back from vacation !!! Thank you again :)

[@brianprocter6191]

A very good and well filmed video

[@GarageKing]

Thank you good Sir !!

[@sjgoff]

For anyone watching this video - NEVER replaced brake pads without replacing the rotors. This is known in the industry as a 'pad slap'. You could resurface the rotors but it's just not worth it. You will likely hit minimum thickness, and rotors are cheap. The pad and rotor wear together AND wear unevenly. The new pad will likely not contact the full rotor face and rotors glaze over time. This will cause poor braking and can cause a brake shudder. Also it is very important to 'bed' the new pads with the new rotor. Most brake pads will come with a recommended bed-in process which is doing multiple hard braking at different speeds then allow the brakes to cool.

[@GarageKing]

Not true in reality, but you are right that its best practice, but only because aftermarket rotors are cheap. With factory OEM repairs, only what's necessary to get replaced actually gets replaced. As for bedding in pads, its not really done anymore, at one point yes (like the old Chevy Lumina) but now a few moderate stops is all it takes. Just regular driving. Most manuals for new cars will tell you to take it easy for the first few hundred kms. When you buy your car new I don't think they bed in the pads.

[@TourettesMobileMechanic]

Great video. I have started some of my own but just hard to do. Filming and taking the time much appreciated. I like to clean the slider area with a razor blade and grease as well slightly. Help from hanging pads and some pads maybe sand the edges to prevent sticking. Also. On back of pads I like to use the dampener also on back side of sliders to prevent squealing. A few pointers may be helpful. Razor blade works awesome to remover the rust or build up. If you no a lot about Hondas I have a question? If not I’m sure I’ll figure it out. Can’t tell if blown head gasket or cracked block but the radiator hose is feeling up with exsagust fast or thermostat is stuck but real trouble bleeding the Honda. I’ll get it situated, just was wondering your thoughts. Thanks. Bye the way. Great video.

[@GarageKing]

Thanks so much for the comment, and great idea with the razor blade. I never thought of that, normally I use the wire wheel outside so the dust is not an issue. As for the Honda it sounds like you might have a bad head gasket. Normally I cracked block will not cause the radiator hose to pressurize. DO you have a pressure tester? Is there external coolant leaking on the ground? Also some of the older Hondas were known to have bad blocks that cracked. Normally a cracked block will cause overheating with an external coolant leak. A bad head gasket can pressurize the rad hose, and you don't always get an external leak.

[@ITSTHISEASY]

Great job and nice video work.

[@GarageKing]

Thank you very much! :)

[@Boltonben]

Great video and very thorough. Thanks, Question. You mentioned that you ratchet the calipers to the bracket and don't use the impact. Guess I learned the hard way. both snapped. The bolts seemed very light metal. I now need to get new caliper bolt and pin. Not going to bother trying to remove it.

[@GarageKing]

You bet brother!!!! I learned the hard way too a long time ago, so now I take them off with the impact, or by hand depending on how I feel, but I always put them back in by hand. The bolts are very small, and fine thread so best to put in by hand. Really sorry to hear that happened to you, but trust me you are not the only one :)

[@itaytzairi3821]

Thank you

[@GarageKing]

Thank you for the great comment !!

[@decisions139]

Nice video! Where did you find that style caliper tool at? I like how it sits in the caliper and just use the wrench on it that is better style. And both pistons go back evenly

[@GarageKing]

Hey there and thanks for the comment, amzn.to/3jPfKnR there you go !!!

[@SuperJESSE327]

Great video man! Thank u. Just hit the subscribe button. U r a great KZbinr!!!

[@GarageKing]

Thanks brother !!!! That means a lot to me as I'm just a small channel so thank you !!!!!!!

[@DavidGilesColorado]

thanks a bunch my issue was which way the pistons seals should be installed. Didn't pay attention when I took it apart

[@GarageKing]

Thanks for the comment, appreciate it !!

[@plorks445]

Great info. Thanks!

[@GarageKing]

Thanks for the comment !!!

[@JAVALKENTravel]

So much fun.

[@GarageKing]

Thanks!!!!! Much appreciated :)

[@d2thajay]

Very informative. Liked, commented, subbed! 👌

[@GarageKing]

Thank you soo much !!!! I do appreciate it :) Many thanks :)

[@jmyyou4050]

Great video!! Thanks

[@GarageKing]

Thanks so much for the comment brother!!!! I appreciate it :)

[@nickvai6196]

Great video!

[@GarageKing]

Thanks Nick!!!!!!

[@locotumbler]

Thank you for the video. Any idea where you got that caliper tool? I like that a lot more than the one I have with the variety of disc's held onto it by magnets.

[@GarageKing]

Hey brother, thanks for the comment!!! Ya that caliper tool is a lot better than those disc ones !!!! Amazon.ca amzn.to/3f3mueb​ Amazon.com amzn.to/3jPfKnR

[@randallaila6776]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@GarageKing]

Thank you :)

[@shahnawazvlog6266]

434 Like great video something I can learn and use it when I fix my car, playlist runing just check in.

[@GarageKing]

Another good brake video !!!

[@roberte.shores8082]

THank you

[@GarageKing]

Anytime my friend, and thanks for the comment. I really do appreciate it :)

[@chaines1351]

Hi mate very informative video 1 question though, do I need to bleed the brake line after replacing the pads?

[@GarageKing]

Hey Thanks for the comment. No you don't have to bleed the brake line after replacing the pads. You can if the fluid is really dirty, but you don't have to :)

[@chaines1351]

@@GarageKing thanks mate & again great video.

[@GarageKing]

Thanks !!! If you ever need anything feel free to reach out :)

[@sevencruse3263]

Great video. With your Guidance I Was Able To Change my Brake Pad For The Very First Time and I Enjoyed It. Only thing When I Took The My Brake Pad Did Not have The Spings and The New Ones Didn't Come With Any Either. Any Thing I Can Do About That. Is It Any Great Harm Without Them?

[@GarageKing]

That is awesome to hear and I'm glad you got the job done !!! The reason you don't have the springs is someone probably did them before and forgot to put them back in. Cheaper pads usually don't come with the springs. The good thing is your vehicle will be fine without them. All caliper pistons retract as the seal rolls back slightly when you take your foot off the brake so that releases the pads when you are done braking. The springs help with this, so what can happen is if you don't have the springs then your brakes will just wear a little faster.

[@sevencruse3263]

@@GarageKing Wow Thanks A Lot For The Education 💪🏼

[@GarageKing]

@@sevencruse3263 Anytime !!!

[@FutureVariousFG]

if we don’t have a certain tool can u let us know what else we can use ?

[@GarageKing]

Hey brother thanks for the comment :) If you don't have the tool that pushes the piston back, then you can use a C-Clamp (like one for woodworking) but be careful because when you clamp it, the back side of the clamp is going to want to push around the brake line area, so just take it slow to keep the C clamp centered on the piston in front, and usually the brake line bolt on the back. Just make sure its not on any RUBBER hose. If you don't have a C clamp, then the next way is to use a big pair of "waterpump" pliers. Google waterpump pliers, they are really common and you probably have a set. Just take is really slow because with waterpump pliers you are pushing on the side of the piston, as there is no way to push the centre of the piston. Hopefully I helped you out and if you have any other questions just let me know :)

[@dazzanotsure5189]

Is it the same principle for a 2011 pathfinder or are they different thanks

[@GarageKing]

Same Principle brother!!!! They should be exactly the same :)

[@bikeman1x11]

frontiers xterra pathfinders all the same

[@r84415]

Do you recommend opening the cap for the brake fluid when you push the calipers in? Great video!

[@GarageKing]

Thanks for the comment. If you are referring to the cap on the master cylinder then no it’s best to leave it closed. Brake fluid absorbs moisture so opening the cap on the reservoir will introduce moisture into the system. What I do sometimes if someone has filled the brake reservoir and I don’t want it to leak out because someone topped it off is I open the bleeder, push the piston back and let the dirty fluid come out, then wait for the fluid to start coming out again after the piston has been pushed back in, and then close the bleeder and check the fluid level. Most of the time I just push the piston back and leave the cap on. If it’s too full it will just vent through the cap and then wipe off any fluid that comes out :)

[@r84415]

@@GarageKing I never knew that part about moisture leaking into the system. Opening the cap was an old school thing I learned in auto shop years back. Thanks again for the professional tip!

[@GarageKing]

@@r84415 Anytime, I go back quite a ways as well. I'm a licensed Red Seal mechanic that was around when carburetors were popular LOL :)

[@isaal-magyari9203]

it's OK to call the brakes a "her", My pathfinder is named Jane, she doesn't like being called anything else

[@GarageKing]

That is awesome, I name all my vehicles LOL :) Thanks for the comment !!

[@cutcali7907]

One of my pins are stuck lubed it overnight still no move ment should I use heat no extra boot

[@GarageKing]

Don't use heat unless you have and extra boot, you will damage the boot. Also on one of the pins there is a rubber thing and that will get damaged. See this vid and go to the 6:15min mark kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWHXiHydnaaAgNk It works most of the time for taking out stuck pins. Then afterwards take the pin to the wire wheel and clean out the bore in the caliper bracket with brake clean and a hone, or a good small wire brush. I have had to use heat occasionally, but I always make sure I have a rubber boot kit as they get damaged. Thanks for the comments and sorry for the late reply, its been a busy day for me :) Hope you are enjoying your weekend :)

[@cutcali7907]

Thanks got it out

[@GarageKing]

Awesome, I know those pins can really be a pain at times !!!!

[@kennymooney7637]

You got any advice on how to find out who to get rid of limp mode on a 2.5 05 plate nissan pathfinder the diagnostic computer carnt find the problem 🤔

[@GarageKing]

Hey There, I think you need to scan with a good scanner and see what types of codes are stored. It could be a number of problems and a quick scan would be the first step to point you in the right direction.

[@anaidolmos8280]

Hi again, I need help with my Nissan Pathfinder 2010, the windshield is making a noise like wind coming thru the windshield as i'm driving I would like to do the work myself. Can you help me with this by doing a video step by step including names of parts. It could be the cowl cover not sure and where to get it if so.... Help!!!! Please

[@GarageKing]

Hi There, I'm not too sure what that could be. That is one weird problem I would say. I would check the outside seal of the windshield (look around the edges) for rust. Sometimes they actually rust through

[@anaidolmos8280]

@@GarageKing thanks yeah i think it is the outside seal it looks very worn out.

[@GarageKing]

Yikes!!! If it’s bad you should really take it in to get it looked at. Those windshields are bonded and actually provide structure to the vehicle. If it’s just a small area you could probably use some outdoor silicone (not acrylic) to seal the air leakage.

[@jasondrake7248]

Hi how are you I have a 2009 Nissan Pathfinder what break pads do you recommend

[@GarageKing]

Hey there, if you are on a budget these work really well amzn.to/3PvwY8C and if you can spend a bit more these are better amzn.to/3cm74WD and probably the best (I don't have in the links are these because they cost too much; however they are currently on sale so they are a deal amzn.to/3yIIWVO I would go with the bosch if you can. I find they have a very good fit in the caliper, plus they come with the grease a lot of times. Thanks for the comment and if you have any other questions please let me know.

[@hotshoer916]

Why does my bottom brake pin not slide in and out

[@GarageKing]

Hey there, most likely its dry and rusted, depending on how bad it is, you can usually still get it out. See this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWHXiHydnaaAgNk and go to the 5:40min mark and start watching from there. You can see how I struggle with these Lexus ones that are very similar to the Toyota.

[@davidbullenlimited2801]

I assume the rotors are easy to replace too?

[@GarageKing]

Yep you bet, not hard at all, just remove the bracket off and the rotors will come off. (just make sure they don't have a phillips style bolt on the front - If they do its just a set screw) and you can take it out.

[@davidbullenlimited2801]

@@GarageKing It all went super smoothly! Thank you so much for this video. One question I do have... When I squeezed the pistons back in, a small amount brake fluid leaked out from I can only assume the filler cap. I assume this happened because I pushed them in too quickly?! I can't see or find anywhere else that it could have leaked from... and the brakes appear to be working absolutely normally... (FYI - I also cleaned everything up and left a sheet of cardboard under the car overnight and there were no drips at all from anywhere.)

[@GarageKing]

@@davidbullenlimited2801 Hey there and thanks for the comment. You are right in that the fluid came from the reservoir cap. This is not rare at all. When your brake pads wear the piston in the caliper is "out" more so the fluid level in the reservoir seems low. Many times when you go for an oil change someone may "top" it off. Now when you do your brakes and push the pistons back in the fluid goes back up into the master cylinder, BUT you have too much now so it simply overflows. Thanks for the follow up and well done !!

[@davidbullenlimited2801]

@@GarageKing PHEW! Thank you so much for the response! You literally saved me about £300 and it took me less than an hour! 🥰

[@GarageKing]

@@davidbullenlimited2801 Glad to be of service good Sir !!!

[@abcautotechminibikelp3531]

I think that you needs to pay attention, I hope you have ayes protection.but is ok we only human.good job body.

[@GarageKing]

I don't understand the first part of your comment, but I do wear eye protection, and that should be expected. Also if any grinding is done you need to wear a mask to protect your lungs. Thanks for the thumbs on doing a good job!!!

[@cutcali7907]

I say do rotors to because of rotor run out. You're going to get a shimmy when braking .

[@GarageKing]

Most of the time I do recommend that, but you have to remember this is the guy driving around on bald tires LOL :)

[@bikeman1x11]

@@GarageKing $70 for 2 rotors isnt too much

[@GarageKing]

No not bad at all, pretty reasonable @@bikeman1x11

[@Brandon-dg8zn]

Torque specs?

[@GarageKing]

Hey buddy, for the brake caliper to brake caliper bracket bolts the 2006 service manual is saying 32 ft/lbs. For the caliper bracket to the spindle (those are the bigger bolts) the service manual is saying 136 ft/lbs. Thats a lot of torque for the bigger bolts so make sure the threads are good. I do all the bolts by hand, and by feel, but I have probably done a few thousand brake jobs over the years.

[@cutcali7907]

Dam frank .a change your tires

[@GarageKing]

I agree, he has to change his tires !!!!!!!

[@billp3914]

My screen is black only the voice

[@GarageKing]

Hey Bill, I don't understand the comment. Are you saying you can't watch the video? I checked and it does play.

[@billp3914]

@@GarageKing on my End it’s just a black screen But I hear you speaking

[@GarageKing]

@@billp3914 Hey There, please shut down, and restart your phone or computer. I just checked on my computer under my personal profile and the video is fine. I also just checked on my phone and its good so there must be some glitch on your end. I don't think its with KZbin. Hopefully with a restart that will fix things up.