How to Change Brakes on a Toyota

Toyota recommends that you service your brakes regularly and replace the brake pads every 40,000 miles. You can choose to have the brake work performed by a brake mechanic or you can do the job yourself. Inspect the overall brake assembly while performing routine maintenance. Replace the brake pads and rotors whenever there is significant wear or damage found.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Lug wrench
• Jack
• Jack stands
• 10nmm wrench
• Hammer
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Cloth towel
• Rotor
• Brake pads
• Channel-lock pliers
• Funnel
• Brake fluid

1. • 1

     Park to Toyota on a level surface and apply the parking brake. Turn the engine off and pull the hood release lever. Move to the front of the vehicle and lift the hood.

   • 2

     Remove the master cylinder cap and lay it loosely on top of the master cylinder container. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels corresponding to the brakes that will be replaced with a lug wrench.

   • 3

     Lift the Toyota with the jack and rest the axles on jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and take the wheels off. Remove caliper pins with a 10 mm socket wrench. Lift the caliper from the brake assembly and rest it on top of the steering arm above the brakes.

   • 4

     Slide the brake pads from the sides of the caliper. Remove the brake rotor from the wheel bolts by grabbing either side of the disc and pulling at straight from the wheel hub. Use a hammer to tap the outside of the rotor if it is stuck to the steering knuckle.

   • 5

     Clean the area behind the rotor with brake parts cleaner and a wire brush to remove brake dust, rust, and brake fluid that may have leaked onto the wheel bolts. Clean the new rotor with a cloth towel and brake cleaner. Slide the disc onto the wheel bolts and push it against the steering knuckle.

   • 6

     Slowly and carefully squeeze the caliper pistons into the side of the caliper with a pair of channel-lock pliers. Be sure to not damage the rubber sleeve surrounding the piston.

   • 7

     Slide the new brake pads onto the sides of the caliper. Replace the caliper onto the rotor and screw on the caliper pins. Replace the wheel onto the wheel bolts and screw on the lugs by hand.

   • 8

     Lift the Toyota with the jack and remove the jack stands from beneath the vehicle. Lower the tires to the ground and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench.

   • 9

     Press the brake pedal slowly to the floor. Release the pedal and repeat the depressions until the pedal response stiffens. Move to the engine compartment. Remove the master cylinder cap and place a funnel inside the container. Fill the reservoir with brake fluid. Remove the funnel and secure the cap onto the master cylinder. Close the Toyota's hood.