I am looking for an item called a pin spanner, spanner wrench, or I read a special socket. Does anyone know where i can locate this item for sale? I am trying to replace the pads and rotors for a 2001 pathfinder 4x4 and i need this wrench to unscreew some ring before the bearing. Is there another way of getting the bearings out and taking the rotors off?

I never had much luck finding a pin spanner, but I did find the right locknut socket on the internet. But this was for a 1997 Pathfinder, not sure if it will fit your year. If you search for OTC7698 you should find it, here's the page I got mine from a few years back:

http://www.handsontools.com/store/list_products/?start_value=12&category_id=8249&search_desc=&product_number=

There's also a CTA4170 tool but I couldn't find it in stock anywhere back when I was looking. Some people have bought a similar GMC/Ford locknut from the local auto parts stores and grinded the pins to fit.

By the way, you won't need the tool to get the locknut off, it will come off easily with a tap. You only need it to seat the bearings when you reinstall the hub.

Hi There,

I'm going to be tackling a front brake rotor replacement on a friend's 2000 pathfinder. How easy is something like that to perform? Do I need any special tools?

that ring , if you get a hammer and a punch you can just tap it loose and spin it of.. when going back together you want tap it snug , not to tight , you wipe out the bearing. just tight enough to line up the two small philips screws you took out to line back up.... gl

You'll probably want to repack the bearings while you have the hub off and that does require the special tool listed above, either a pin spanner or a locknut socket. Some people use a hammer and punch to tighten the locknut, but the Nissan steps require 58-72ft/lbs of torque to properly seat the bearing. I don't see how anyone can get that with a hammer and punch. Once the bearing is seated the locknut is backed off and final torque is only 4.3-13 in/lbs.

I have been a nissan tech for 15 year.. on the model pathfinder he is describing, It has one snap ring, after you get that off 2 philip screws holding the bearing cap in place .. With a punch and a hammer you tap it loose.. then spin it off with the punch ,, Yes it would be a good Idea to pack the bearings while you have it all a part. When going together from experiance i can feel how tight it needs to be .. I tap it snug..Spin the rotor a few times .. re tap it snug... Then tap it to aligh the Philip screw bolt holes.. and thats it

The steps I posted are straight from the Nissan FSM. I've used those steps during every bearing repack and the torque is called for to reseat the bearings after a repack.

found this, I do't know if it will help. Also, it looks like you would have to pay overseas shipping.

http://www.tool-up.co.uk/shop/diy/FLE24075.html?id=fIv9dpP4

This was the adjustable pin spanner. However they sold fixed ones much cheaper. You just need to know the exact size.