I need to change my rear brake pads on my 2000 Maxima. Is it difficult to do myself? I've changed pads on my 89 Maxima before and it was a easy. Are the 2000 maxima brakes with ABS more difficult to change? Any advice is appreciated. I was surprised that the rear brake pads are down to 5% remaining with only 18k on them. Usually the front brakes wear out faster but the dealer told me that maximas are designed to have the rear brakes initiate the braking first to maintain handling. I'm plan on getting OEM pads. Anything better for money?

 

OEM pads are good, but I can only speak for the front. Here's a site you might try:

http://www.motorvate.ca/

I believe that on the rears the piston needs to be rotated while pressing them down, and there's a $10 tool that does it. THe fronts can be done in about 10 min per side, not including the jacking and removing the rims.

I'm surprised your rears are that shot at 18k. At just under 60k my fronts were only about 55% worn, and the backs were even less worn. The pads were only about $46 anyway so I changed them since the calipers were already apart. Good luck and if you need the detailed instructions you can probably search and find them. I can't remember who had photos of doing the rears.