How to Replace a Toyota's Rear Brake Pads

Toyota vehicles with rear disc brakes require regular brake pad and rotor maintenance every 50,000 miles. The brake pads should be replaced when the pad material is insufficient to provided a safe level of performance. The driver will recognize this point by the exposure of the brake pad wear indicator. The brake pads have built-in metal clips that are revealed once the pads are worn to the point that demands service. Replace the brake pads to ensure the Toyota's brake system performs properly and the rotors are not badly damaged by the wear indicators.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Tire blocks
• Lug wrench
• Jack
• Jack stands
• 13 mm wrench
• Brake pads
• Brake grease
• C-clamp

1. • 1

     Park the Toyota on a flat surface. Leave the emergency brake (or parking brake) off.

   • 2

     Place tire blocks in front of the Toyota's front tires to prevent the vehicle from rolling during the brake pad replacement.

   • 3

     Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts on the Toyota with the lug wrench.

   • 4

     Place the jack under the frame under the rear bumper of the vehicle and lift the back end of the car off the ground. The tires should be clear of the surface to allow for the removal and replacement of the rear wheels.

   • 5

     Remove the rear wheel lug nuts and take the back wheels from the Toyota's wheel bolts.

   • 6

     Remove the two bolts on the back side of each brake assembly's caliper with the 13 mm wrench. Lift the caliper from the rear brake rotor and rest it on top of the disc. Do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake line.

   • 7

     Slide the brake pads from the caliper brackets on the rear rotors. Check the surface of the rotor for damage and repair or replace as necessary.

   • 8

     Apply a thin layer of brake grease on the back panel of each of the brake pads and slide them into their slots in the caliper brackets.

   • 9

     Place the C-clamp over the caliper piston that extends from the inside of the caliper and the back of the caliper itself. Turn the handle of the clamp to screw the piston into the side of the caliper. Remove the C-clamp once the piston is fully depressed within the Toyota's rear brake caliper.

   • 10

     Replace the caliper over the caliper bracket and new brake pads. Screw in the caliper bolts with the wrench.

   • 11

     Return the rear wheels to the Toyota's wheel bolts and screw on the lug nuts.

   • 12

     Lift the back end of the vehicle and remove the jack stands. Lower the rear tires to the ground with the jack and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench.