If your Nissan Pathfinder seems to be pulsing and shuddering when you hit the brakes but you know that the calipers and brake pads are in good shape, then it's time to change the rotors. Rotors only need to be changed if they get worn down and can't be resurfaced or if they become warped from excessive braking. Always change them in pairs for even braking performance.
Jack up your Nissan Pathfinder with jacks and jack stands. Block the wheels to keep your truck from rolling while you work.
Take off the tire and wheel assembly with a socket wrench or air ratchet. Remove the brake pads, caliper and bolts and the torque member.
Remove the grease cap from the hub. Then remove the cotter pin and the castellated nut. This allows you to then remove the old rotor with the wheel hub attached.
Clean any corrosion or debris from the area using a damp cloth. Apply multipurpose grease to the hub's oil seal lip and then put the new rotor into position with the hub.
Install the new rotor with the hub back in place and then make sure that the wheel bearings are in good shape and lubricate them. Install the castellated nut with a new cotter pin and then replace the grease cap.
Put the brake pads, caliper and bolts and the torque member back onto the wheel assembly using a torque wrench. Put the wheel assembly, tire and lug nuts back on and then repeat this process for each new rotor.
Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts with a torque wrench or air ratchet and pump the brakes. If the brakes seem spongy, bleed the brakes and test your Pathfinder again to make sure that the installation was successful.
Support your Pathfinder by using a jack and then secure it in place with jack stands. Be sure to place the jack stands so that the weight of the vehicle is properly supported.
Take off the tire and wheel assembly by loosening the lug nuts and removing them with a socket wrench or air ratchet with an appropriate adapter.
Remove the caliper and suspend it with mechanic's wire to prevent the caliper from getting disconnected from the brake line and to keep it out of the way while you change the rotor.
Separate the rotor from the wheel assembly. If your Pathfinder's rotors are corroded, be sure to remove all debris from the area with a damp cloth before you put the new rotor on.
Install the new rotor and tighten the holding screws. Replace the caliper and brake line to its original position and then discard the mechanic's wire. Install the wheel assembly and the tire.
Repeat this process to replace the other rotors and then lower the truck and tighten the tire lug nuts with a torque wrench. Road test your pathfinder to make sure the installation was successful.
