After scouring the Internet for help with changing the front and rear brakes and front rotors on my 350Z, I decided to simply “give it a go” and hopefully have a successful story to share. Fortunately for me (and for those reading this) the story I have to share is good one. So, without further adieu, here it is:

Front Brake Pads

Recommended Tools:
1 - Car jack (the one that comes with the car works fine)
1 - Standard socket ratchet set (using a 9/16” socket)
1 - C-Clamp
1 - 3’ bungee cord
1- Common (flathead) screwdriver

Preparation (for OEM brake pads)

Remove the brake pads and apply the accompanying grease to the metal side of each brake pad (black on one brake pad, gold on another).

Replacement Steps (for each front tire)

1. Make sure the car has been sitting for at least 3 hours. Changing the brake pads and rotors is far easier when the wheelbase area (rotors and brake pads included) is cool.
2. Make sure the car is parked with sufficient room all the way around to lie out your tools, tires, and parts.
3. For manual transmissions, put the car in gear with the emergency brake on. For automatic transmissions, put the car in park.
4. BEFORE jacking the car up, loosen the lug nuts on one of the front wheels. Do not take the lug nuts completely off, yet.
5. Jack the car up until there is clearance underneath the front tire.
6. Completely loosen the lug nuts and remove the tire from the rotor.
7. With the ratchet and 9/16” socket, loosen the two caliper bolts.
8. When the caliper screws are clear, slide the caliper up and off the rotor.
9. Place one of the old brake pads over the caliper hydraulic and use the C-Clamp to completely compress the hydraulic within the caliper.
10. Use the bungee cord to suspend the rotor and ensure there is no stress on the brake fluid line.
11. Being careful to not scratch the rotor, slowly wedge the common screwdriver between the old brake pad and the rotor and GENTLY pry the brake pad out of the rotor bracket and away from the rotor.
12. Insert the front replacement brake pads into the grooves on the rotor bracket. NOTE: WHEN INSERTING THE BRAKE PADS, BE SURE TO SECURE THE PADS WITH THE BRACKET CLIP. THIS HELPS ENSURE THE PADS DO NOT SHIFT WHILE DRIVING.
13. Gently place the caliper over the brakes pads and re-insert the caliper bolts. NOTE: BE SURE TO NO OVER TIGHTEN THE BOLTS.
14. Replace the tire and lug nuts.
15. Lower the car and torque the lug nuts (not too tight though).

Front Brake Rotors

Recommended Tools:
1 - Car jack (the one that comes with the car works fine)
1 - Standard socket ratchet set (using a 9/16” socket)
1 - Standard 7/8” boxed end wrench
1 – Rubber mallet
1 – Crescent wrench

Replacement Steps (for each front tire)

NOTE: THE STEPS FOR THIS REPLACEMENT BEGIN AFTER STEP 11 FOR REPLACING THE FRONT BRAKE PADS.

1. After removing the brake pads, use the 7/8” wrench to remove the two rotor bracket screws. If they have never been removed before, spray a little WD40 to loosen them up, as they could be quite stubborn.
2. If applicable, use the crescent wrench to unscrew and remove the bold on the rotor face.
3. Slide the rotor bracket off the rotor.
4. Use the rubber mallet and strike edges BEHIND the rotor (find a comfortable position on the ground, as this could take several whacks).
5. When the rotor falls free, remove it from the wheel hub.
6. Insert and tighten the screen on the rotor face.
7. Place the new rotor on the hub.
8. Replace the rotor bracket and bolts (do not over-tighten the bolts) to secure the rotor. NOTE: USE A CLEAN RAG OR TOWEL TO REMOVE ANY GREASE OR DIRT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE ROTOR.
9. Insert the brake pads into the grooves on the rotor bracket.
10. Gently place the caliper over the brakes pads and re-insert the caliper bolts. NOTE: BE SURE TO NO OVER TIGHTEN THE BOLTS.
11. Replace the tire and lug nuts.
12. Lower the car and torque the lug nuts (not too tight though).

Rear Brake Pads

Recommended Tools:
1 - Car jack (the one that comes with the car works fine)
1 - Standard socket ratchet set (using a 9/16” socket)
1 - C-Clamp
1- Common (flathead) screwdriver

Replacement Steps (for each rear tire)

1. For manual transmissions, put the car in gear with the emergency brake on. For automatic transmissions, put the car in park.
2. BEFORE jacking the car up, loosen the lug nuts on one of the front wheels. Do not take the lug nuts completely off, yet.
3. Jack the car up until there is clearance underneath the rear tire.
4. Completely loosen the lug nuts and remove the tire from the rotor.
5. With the ratchet and 9/16” socket, loosen the TOP caliper bolt and lift the caliper off the rotor. The caliper rotates down, so there is no need to completely remove it.
6. Being careful to not scratch the rotor, slowly wedge the common screwdriver between the old brake pad and the rotor and GENTLY pry the brake pad out of the rotor bracket and away from the rotor.
7. Place one of the old brake pads over the caliper hydraulic and use the C-Clamp to completely compress the hydraulic within the caliper.
8. Insert the rear replacement brake pads into the grooves on the rotor bracket.
9. Gently re-position the caliper over the brakes pads and re-insert the caliper bolt. NOTE: BE SURE TO NO OVER TIGHTEN THE BOLT.
10. Replace the tire and lug nuts.
11. Lower the car and torque the lug nuts (not too tight though).

I hope the steps are explained clearly and are easy to follow. I will upload a video showing the steps shortly. Be sure to bed the brakes properly before resuming normal driving. On a side note, I was quoted $639 from my local dealership as the cost of replacing the brake pads on the front and rear and replacing the front rotors. I bought all of the parts for $390 and spend 3 hours doing it myself, (SUCCESSFULLY). https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

 

Looks good although I would recommend bleeding the front and rear brakes after replacing the pads/rotors.

 

Good post/write up, working on brakes is easy but this definitely helps people who may have never done it.

 

saw a tech change brakes on my car. super simple. easier done then said. great write up nonetheless

 

Remember to loosen the brake master reservoir cap before compressing the pads to retract the pistons

Pump the brakes to a firm pedal before backing out of the driveway the first time :O

 

Well written. Personally I have done this before so I am familiar with what is involved but I'm sure someone else will find it very helpful.