Replacing hand brake pads on a Nissan: instructions for beginners and experienced car owners

Rear brake pads with an integrated handbrake mechanism are one of the most “forgotten” components in Nissanuntil they begin to creak, squeal, or fail altogether. Unlike front brakes, their wear is rarely checked during scheduled maintenance, but in vain: Worn handbrake brake pads can lead to drum overheating, brake fluid leakage, or even wheel locking while driving.. If you notice that the parking brake lever rises higher than usual (more than 5-7 clicks) or the car “steers” when braking, it’s time to act.

In this article we will look at how to replace the handbrake pads with Nissan with your own hands, without resorting to the help of a service station. Material suitable for most models with drum brakes: Almera N16/Classic, Note, Micra K12/K13, Tiida, Sunny, as well as crossovers Juke (until 2019), Qashqai J10 And X-Trail T31/T32. For disc brakes with integrated handbrake (e.g. Qashqai J11 or Ariya) the process will be different - we will mention this separately.

Signs of handbrake pad wear

The first signal for replacement is increased handbrake lever travel. Normally, it should lock in 3–5 clicks. If you have to lift it all the way (7-9 clicks), the pads are either worn out or require adjustment. Other symptoms:

• 🔊 Creaking or squealing when reversing or light braking (especially after rain).
• 🔥 Hot rear drums after a trip - a sign of metal-on-metal friction.
• 🚗 The car pulls to the side when pressing the brake pedal (one pad is more worn).
• 🛑 The handbrake doesn't hold on a slope of 15–20° even with the lever fully raised.

On models with ABS And ESP (For example, Qashqai J11) wear on the pads can cause false alarms of the stabilization system — the icon lights up on the dashboard ! in a circle. This is due to the difference in braking forces on the wheels.

⚠️ Attention: If after replacing the pads the handbrake still does not hold, the problem may lie in stretched rope or a worn lever ratchet. On Nissan Note E12 And Micra K13 This is a common malfunction - the cable needs to be adjusted or replaced.

Tools and replacement parts

To work, you will need a standard set of tools, but there are also specific devices. You can do without them, but they will significantly speed up the process:

Tool/spare part	Purpose	Note
Key on 17 And 19	Unscrewing the drum guide pins	On Almera Classic may be required 21
Long nose pliers	Removing retaining rings and springs	Perfect fit Knipex or analogues
Brake drum puller	Dismantling a stuck drum	Can be replaced with a hammer and a wooden spacer
WD-40 or similar	Treating rusty fasteners	Do not use for cleaning friction linings!
New pads (set)	Replacing worn parts	For Nissan fit Nisshinbo, Akebono, TRW

When choosing pads, pay attention to original article number or analogues. For example, for Nissan Almera N16 (2000–2006) fit kit 40520-9M000, and for Qashqai J10 (2007–2013) — 40520-EA000. Budget analogues from Ferodo or Bosch They last 20–30% less, but they last for 30–40 thousand km with quiet driving.

Step-by-step replacement instructions

Before starting work disconnect the carby removing the negative terminal from the battery. This will prevent accidental operation ESP or ABS when manipulating sensors. Next, follow the algorithm:

1. Jack up the rear of the car and remove the wheel. Place chocks under the front wheels.
2. Loosen the handbrake cableby unscrewing the locknut on the equalizer (located under the bottom, near the rear beam).
3. Remove the brake drum:
   • Unscrew the guide pins (usually 2 pieces).
   • If the drum is stuck, gently tap it with a hammer through a wooden block.
   • On Nissan Juke And Note the drum can be secured with a central nut - you will need a wrench 30.
4. Remove old pads:
   • Remove the upper and lower tension springs with pliers.
   • Disconnect the handbrake cable from the shoe lever.
   • Remove the spacer bar and the pads themselves.

At this stage clean all parts from dirt and rust. Pay special attention pad seats on the brake shield - they need to be lubricated with high-temperature grease (for example, Slipkote 220-R DBC).

Installing new pads and adjusting

Assembly occurs in the reverse order, but there are some nuances:

5. Install new pads:
   • Place the pads on the seats, aligning the grooves with the guides.
   • Connect the spacer bar and tension springs.
   • Secure the handbrake cable to the block lever (it should move freely, without jamming).
6. Adjust the gap between the pads and the drum:
   • On models without automatic adjustment (for example, Almera Classic) use the eccentric mechanism on the shield.
   • On Qashqai J10 And X-Trail T31 The gap is adjusted automatically when you press the brake pedal.
7. Install the drum and tighten the fasteners to torque 80–100 Nm.
8. Adjust the tension of the handbrake cable:
   • Pull the cable until the rear wheels begin to lock with 3-4 clicks of the lever.
   • Check the locking symmetry: both wheels should brake at the same time.

On Nissan Juke (2010–2019) after replacing the pads, be sure to reset the adaptation of the electronic handbrake via the diagnostic scanner (for example, Launch X431). Without this procedure, the handbrake may not work correctly, and an error message will appear on the dashboard EPB.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners make mistakes when replacing handbrake brake pads. Here are the most common:

• 🔧 Incorrect spring installation - leads to jamming of the pads. The springs must be tensioned evenly, without distortion.
• 🛠️ Ignoring guide lubrication - the pads will “hang” and wear unevenly.
• 🚘 Tightened handbrake cable — the wheels are blocked even in the lowered position of the lever, which leads to overheating.
• 🔥 Using WD-40 to clean pads - lubrication reduces the coefficient of friction, the brakes become less effective.

On Nissan Qashqai J11 And Ariya with electronic handbrake (EPB) independent replacement of pads without diagnostic equipment is fraught with errors in the control unit. In this case, it is better to contact a service station with support. Nissan Consult.

⚠️ Attention: If after replacing the pads the brake pedal becomes “soft” or falls down, immediately check the brake fluid level! Most likely, the drum was damaged when removing it brake cylinder cuff - it needs to be replaced.

Service life and care recommendations

Rear pad life Nissan depends on driving style and operating conditions:

• 🚗 City mode (frequent acceleration and braking): 25–35 thousand km.
• 🛣️ Route (rare use of the handbrake): up to 60–80 thousand km.
• 🏔️ Highlands (constant slopes): 15–20 thousand km.

To extend the life of your pads:

1. Avoid holding the car on a slope for a long time using only the handbrake - use the gear ("automatic" - mode P).
2. Regularly (every 10 thousand km) clean and lubricate the parking brake cable.
3. When washing a car in winter Flush the brakes with waterto wash off the salt.

On models with ABS And ESP (Qashqai, X-Trail) pad wear may appear vibration on the steering wheel when braking. This is due to the uneven thickness of the friction layer - urgent replacement is required.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Is it possible to drive if the handbrake squeaks?

Short term - yes, but it's not worth the risk. Creak indicates metal contact (the block rubs against the drum without a friction layer). This leads to:

• Accelerated wear of the drum (replacing it will cost 3–5 times more than the pads).
• Overheating and deformation of the brake disc (on models with EPB).
• Loss of braking efficiency.

If a squeak appears after replacing the pads, check to see if any grease has gotten onto the working surface.

How to check pad wear without removing the drum?

There are two ways:

1. Through the viewing window (if it is provided for by the design, as in Nissan Micra K13). Wear of more than 1.5 mm is a signal for replacement.
2. Along the direction of the handbrake lever:
   • Raise the lever 1 click - the wheels should lock when you try to move the car.
   • If there is no blocking even after 5–7 clicks, the pads are worn out or the cable is stretched.

Do I need to bleed the brakes after replacing the pads?

Only if you disconnected the brake hoses or the brake cylinder has been removed. In other cases, pumping is not required. However, after replacing:

• Press the brake pedal several times until the pads get used to the drum.
• Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir (should be between MIN And MAX).

On Nissan Juke And Qashqai with EPB after replacing the pads it may be necessary electronic handbrake calibration via the diagnostic connector.

Which pads are better - original or analogues?

Original pads Nissan (production Akebono or Nisshinbo) last longer, but cost 40–60% more than analogues. Budget options:

Brand	Service life	Features
TRW	35–50 thousand km	Soft, generates little dust, but wears out faster
Ferodo	30–40 thousand km	Hard, creak at low temperatures
Bosch	40–50 thousand km	Versatile, but can squeal under aggressive braking

For Nissan Patrol And Navara (heavy vehicles) only original or Akebono - analogues often cannot withstand the load.

What should I do if the handbrake does not hold after replacement?

Causes and solutions:

• 🔧 Out of adjustment cable — tighten it under the car (lock nut on the equalizer).
• 🛠️ Jammed brake cylinder — disassemble and clean from rust or replace.
• 🚗 Incorrect pad installation — check that the right and left sides are not mixed up.
• 🔥 Drum wear - if the internal diameter exceeds 201.5 mm (for Almera N16), needs to be replaced.

On Nissan X-Trail T32 with ESP after replacing the pads it may be necessary ABS sensor adaptation reset.