Nissan X-Trail T32 (2013–2021) with its drum or disc brakes at the rear, the car is reliable, but even its brake pads wear out every 30–50 thousand km. If you hear a squeak, notice increased pedal travel or corrosion on the discs, it’s time to act. A car service center will charge 3–5 thousand rubles for a replacement, but if you have the tools and 2–3 hours of time, the procedure can be easily carried out yourself.

In this article - step-by-step analysis of replacement taking into account the specifics T32: how to properly recess the caliper piston, why you can’t ignore the lubrication of the guides, and what to do if the brakes are “wobbly” after installing new pads. And also - a table of spare parts compatibility, a unique life hack for bypassing the electronic handbrake without a scanner and answers to frequently asked questions about wear diagnostics.

What kind of pads are on the X-Trail T32 at the rear: disc vs drum?

On Nissan X-Trail T32 The rear brake system depends on the configuration and year of manufacture:

  • 🔧 Disc brakes - for all versions with 2.5 l gasoline engine (QR25DE) and most diesel engines 1.6 dCi (R9M). Also found on top trim levels with 2.0 l (MR20DD).
  • 🛠️ Drum brakes - for basic versions with 2.0 l (MR20DE) until 2017 and some markets (eg Japan).

It’s easy to check the type of brakes: look through the wheel spokes - if the brake disc is visible, it means the system is disc. The drums are hidden under a metal casing. Important: on disc brakes X-Trail T32 often worth it electronic handbrake (EPB), which complicates the replacement of pads - it needs to be switched to service mode.

📊 What type of rear brakes does your X-Trail T32 have?
  • Disk
  • Drums
  • I don't know
  • Another option

For disc brakes, the original pads come with the article number 40520-4M000 (left) and 40520-4M001 (right). Analogues from Brembo (P 24 066), TRW (GDB1465) or Akebono (ACT907A) are suitable in size, but may differ in the composition of the friction material. For drums - original 40520-JM000, analogues from Sangsin (SP1399) or Nipparts (J3411015).

Tools and materials: what you need for replacement

To avoid running to the store in the middle of the process, prepare everything in advance:

Wheelbrace and jack (or lift)

Wrenches 14, 17 and Torx T45 (for caliper guides)

Brake piston puller or clamp

WD-40 or equivalent for soured bolts

Medical syringe for pumping out brake fluid

Guide lubricant (e.g. TRW PFG110>)

New pads and, if necessary, brake discs

Gloves and rags-->

If you have electronic handbrake (EPB), additionally required:

  • 🔌 Diagnostic scanner (for example, Launch X431 or Autel MaxiCOM>) or laptop with the program Nissan Consult III.
  • 🔋 12V power source (battery or charger), since when replacing pads you cannot turn off the power to the EPB unit.
💡

If you don't have a scanner, you can bypass the EPB manually: after removing the pads, insert a screwdriver between the piston and the disc and gently press the piston while pressing the brake pedal. But this method is risky - there is a chance of damaging the mechanism!

Step-by-step instructions: how to change rear pads on disc brakes

Start work from the rear right wheel (in the direction of travel). If the car is on a lift, the order is not important.

  1. Wheel removal and preparation. Jack up the car and remove the wheel. Clean the caliper and disc from dirt with a wire brush. Do not use compressed air - dust from the pads is toxic!
  2. Removing the caliper. Using a 14mm wrench, unscrew the lower caliper mounting bolt (you don’t have to touch the upper one). Hang the caliper on a wire to the spring - do not leave it hanging on the hose!
  3. Removing old pads. Remove the spring clips and pull out the pads. Please note wear indicator — if it is worn down to metal, it’s time to change the pads long ago.
  4. Recessing the piston. Here is the main difficulty: X-Trail T32 the piston must not only be pressed in, but scroll clockwise (look from the caliper side). Use a special puller or pliers with an attachment. Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed!
  5. Installing new pads. Apply a thin layer of lubricant to the back of the pads (not to the working surface!). Install them in reverse order. Check that the spring clips are seated.
  6. Assembly and pumping. Install the caliper, tighten the bolts with a torque of 30–35 Nm. Press the brake pedal 3-4 times until the piston is in working position. Bleed the brakes if you feel soft.
What to do if the piston does not recess?

If the piston does not turn, the EPB mechanism may be stuck. Try:

1. Connect the scanner and put the system into service mode.

2. Apply 12V voltage to the EPB connector (pins 1 and 4) to force a reset.

3. If all else fails, contact service, as the caliper may need to be replaced.

After replacing the pads on both wheels necessarily Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir - it could rise when the pistons are retracted. If necessary, remove excess with a syringe.

Features of replacement on drum brakes

Drum brakes on X-Trail T32 They are less common, but their replacement has its own nuances:

  1. Removing the drum. Unscrew the guide pins (if any) and knock down the drum with a rubber hammer. If it doesn’t work, screw the bolts into the threaded holes and tighten evenly.
  2. Cleaning the mechanism. Remove all dust and check condition working cylinder - if it leaks, replace it.
  3. Installing new pads. Move the pads apart and hook them onto the support disc. Make sure the handbrake cable is not twisted.
  4. Gap adjustment. After assembly, adjust the gap with the eccentric bolt (located on the back side of the shield). Correct clearance - the drum rotates freely, but without play.
⚠️ Attention: On drum brakes X-Trail T32 The automatic gap adjustment mechanism often becomes sour. If the brake “drives” after replacing the pads, disassemble the mechanism and clean it of corrosion.

How to bypass the electronic handbrake (EPB) without a scanner

If you don't have diagnostic equipment, but need to replace the pads on an X-Trail T32 with EPB, use this method (works on 80% of cars):

  1. Turn on the ignition (without starting the engine).
  2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
  3. Move the EPB lever to the “up” position (handbrake engagement) and hold it for 10 seconds.
  4. Without releasing the lever, turn off the ignition.
  5. Release the EPB lever and turn the ignition back on.
  6. Press the brake pedal and pull the lever up - if the “service” indicator lights up, the system has entered the pad replacement mode.

If the method doesn't work, try an alternative method:

1. Снимите крышку блока предохранителей в салоне (со стороны водителя).

2. Найдите предохранитель EPB (обычно 15А, обозначен как "PARKING BRAKE").


3. Вытащите предохранитель на 10 секунд, затем верните на место.


4. Включите зажигание и попробуйте вдавить поршень вручную.

⚠️ Attention: After bypassing the EPB without a scanner, an error may appear on the dashboard. It will reset itself after 2-3 cycles of turning the ignition on/off or after driving at a speed above 20 km/h.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when replacing rear pads with X-Trail T32. Here are the most common:

Error Consequences How to avoid
The piston was not pushed in completely New pads will not fit in place, the brakes will jam Use a puller and turn the piston clockwise
Forgot to lubricate the caliper guides The caliper will turn sour, the pads will wear unevenly Apply high temperature grease (For example, TRW PFG110)
Didn't bleed the brakes after replacement The pedal will be “wobbly”, the braking distance will increase Bleed the system until resistance appears in the pedal
We used cheap pads without a certificate Creaking, vibration, rapid wear of discs Buy pads with markings ECE R90 or ISO 9001

Another typical problem is uneven pad wear (one wears off faster than the other). Reasons:

  • 🔩 The caliper guide is jammed - clean and lubricate.
  • 🛞 The brake disc is deformed - check the runout (maximum 0.05 mm).
  • 🔧 The working cylinder is faulty (on drum brakes) - replacement is required.
💡

After replacing the pads, avoid sudden braking for the first 200 km - the new pads should get used to the discs. At this time, the braking distance may increase by 10–15%.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

How often should I change the rear pads on the X-Trail T32?

Service life depends on driving style and conditions:

  • 🚗 City mode (frequent braking): 30–40 thousand km.
  • 🛣️ Route (rare braking): up to 60 thousand km.
  • ⚠️ Signs of wear: creaking, vibrations, increased pedal travel, metal shavings on the discs.

On drum brakes, the pads last longer - up to 80-100 thousand km, but their condition needs to be checked every 20 thousand km.

Is it possible to change the pads on only one wheel?

No! On X-Trail T32 (as on any car) the pads are changed in pairs on the same axis. If you replace only one side, the car will pull to the side when braking, and the wear of the pads will accelerate.

An exception is if the pads are new (less than 5 thousand kilometers), and one is damaged mechanically (for example, friction material has fallen off).

What should I do if the EPB light comes on after replacing the pads?

Most likely, the system has not exited service mode. Try:

  1. Turn on the ignition.
  2. Press the brake pedal and pull the EPB lever up for 1 second, then release.
  3. Repeat the action 2-3 times.

If the light does not go out, connect the scanner and reset the error manually (the code is usually C1130 or U1000).

Which pads are better - ceramic or semi-metallic?

The choice depends on the operating conditions:

Pad type Pros Cons
Ceramic Less dust, quieter operation, longer service life More expensive, perform worse at low temperatures
Semi-metallic Better heat dissipation, cheaper Discs wear out more and are noisy

For X-Trail T32 in Russian conditions the optimal choice is semi-metallic pads high copper content (eg Akebono ACT907A).

Do I need to change brake discs and pads?

Not always. Disks must be replaced if:

  • 📏 Thickness is less than the minimum (for X-Trail T32 — 18 mm for the front and 10 mm for the rear).
  • 🌀 Deep furrows or cracks are visible.
  • 🔄 Disc runout exceeds 0.05 mm (checked by indicator).

If the discs are normal, it is enough to sharpen them on a machine (removing a layer of 0.2–0.3 mm on each side).