Postby smj999smj » Thu Jun 09, 2016 12:38 pm
You can treat the "glazing" by taking some sand paper and scuffing up the surface. It's always best to put new pads on a clean or recently machined surface, but I still can't believe the rotors are worn down below minimum specs in just 45,000 miles.
Replacing the pads, only, is pretty simple. Remove the wheel. Remove the lower bolts of the caliper (14MM) and swing the caliper up and then push it back so it slides off of the caliper bracket. Rest the caliper on top of the rotor. Remove the wire clips that go between the pads, if you have them, remove the pads and the hardware (if you have new hardware to put in). Snap the new abutment clips into the caliper bracket. Lube the ends of the brake pads that engage the abutment clips with moly grease designed for brakes or "copperslip," a grease that contains copper and used for high temperature applications. Also, spread a little grease on the contact areas of the back of the pad (avoid getting any grease on the pad lining, itself, or on the rotor surface and clean with brake cleaner if you do). Most quality new pads have new shims installed on the back, so you shouldn't need to re-use the old ones. Take one of the old pads and sit it inside the caliper and use a brake compress tool or a large C-clamp to push the pistons back into the caliper.
Install the pads in the caliper bracket and make sure they are seated against the rotor. Slide the caliper back into the caliper mount but leave in the upright position. Here's the tricky part: hold the pads in place with one hand in insert the wire clips into the holes on the edge of the pads. Ones the clips are installed, swing the caliper down and around the pads while holding the pads as long as possible. If you release too soon, the clips will pop out and you'll have to do it again. Once the caliper is in place, install the lower bolt and tighten. Pump the brake pedal a few times to allow the piston to take out the slack.
Remember to use a quality pad. The OE pads are ceramic, so it's best to stick with ceramic pads. Raybestos Professional series ceramics or Raybestos Professional series Advanced Technology, Akebono Pro ACT Ceramics and the Wagner OEx pads all come with new hardware and clips and are good choices. The OEx pads are new but initial impression is good on them. Akebono is an OE supplier of brakes to Nissan and are very similar in performance as the original Hitachi pads.
Autozone.com has free repair guides at their site and I'm sure there is more than a few YouTube vids on the subject.