How To: Replace 350Z Brake Rotors & Pads
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Tools Needed: 19mm and 22mm wrenches/sockets, breaker bar, brake piston press tool, anti-squeak grease, and an S-hook or bungee cord.
Part 1: Rear Brake Service
1. Caliper Removal [00:14]
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Use a 19mm wrench to remove the two caliper bolts on the back of the hub. Once loose, wiggle the caliper to slide it off [01:00].
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Important: If the rotor won't come off, make sure your parking brake is OFF [02:27].
2. Piston Compression & Greasing [03:09]
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Use an old brake pad and a piston press to push the caliper piston back until flush. This creates room for the thick material of the new pads [03:42].
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Clean and grease the caliper slide pins with high-temp brake grease to prevent sticking [03:50].
3. Installing Pads & Reassembly [05:22]
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Apply anti-squeak grease to the back of the pads.
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Tip: The pad with the "squeak tab" (wear indicator) MUST go on the Piston side of the caliper for proper clearance [05:48].
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Reinstall the caliper and hand-thread the 19mm bolts before tightening to avoid stripping the threads [06:52].
Part 2: Front Brake Service
4. Front Caliper Removal [07:47]
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Use a 22mm socket on a breaker bar to break the large caliper bracket bolts loose.
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Once loose, use an S-hook to hang the caliper from the suspension/coilover so it doesn't pull on the rubber brake line [09:03].
5. The Stuck Rotor Trick [09:18]
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If the front rotor is rusted onto the hub, take one of the small 12mm bolts from the brake line bracket and screw it into the threaded hole on the rotor face. Tightening this bolt will "pop" the rotor free without having to use a hammer [09:33].
6. Front Installation [10:33]
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Secure the new rotor with a single lug nut to keep it flush against the hub while you work [10:42].
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Disassemble the caliper slide pins (14mm) to install new clips and pads [11:16].
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Compress both pistons (as front calipers are dual-piston) using the old pad and press tool [15:22].
Final Safety Check [16:12]
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CRITICAL: Before driving, start the car and pump the brake pedal multiple times until it feels firm. This seats the pads against the rotors. If you don't do this, you will have no braking power the first time you press the pedal [16:35].
Watch the full expert guide here: https://youtu.be/MRtjg9CD2sM
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