1. Lug wrench
2. Jack
3. Jack stands
4. C-clamp
5. Flat-head screwdriver
6. Brake cleaner
7. New brake pads
8. Brake grease
9. Safety glasses
Procedure:
1. Park your car on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels, but don't remove them completely.
3. Jack up your car until the front wheels are off the ground. Do not put jack stands beneath any components attached to the suspension, such as the control arms or steering knuckles; place the jack stands beneath the metal unibody or frame.
4. Remove the lug nuts and take off the front wheels.
5. Locate the brake caliper on the back of the wheel hub. It is a metal housing that contains the brake pads.
6. Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry open the dust boot on the caliper. This will expose the brake pad retaining pins.
7. Remove the brake pad retaining pins using a C-clamp. Be careful not to lose the pins.
8. Remove the old brake pads from the caliper.
9. Clean the brake caliper with brake cleaner.
10. Apply a small amount of brake grease to the back of the new brake pads. This will help reduce noise and vibration.
11. Insert the new brake pads into the caliper.
12. Reinstall the brake pad retaining pins.
13. Reinstall the dust boot.
14. Reinstall the front wheels and lug nuts.
15. Lower your car and remove the jack stands. Replace lug nuts with wrench.
16. Pump the brake pedal several times to seat the new brake pads.
17. Test the brakes by driving slowly and applying the brakes firmly.
That's it! You have now successfully replaced the front brake pads on your 2001 Nissan Sentra GXE.
