Toyota FJ Cruiser Maintenace - Replace Front Brake Pads

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a great off-road vehicle that can go over and through many obstacles. When it comes time to hit the brakes, make sure they are working correctly. Here is a guide on how to replace them. 

Need new brakes on your FJ Cruiser? Here is a guide on how to replace them.

Before performing any repair like this one, make sure you collect the proper tools, supplies and have a place to work. Next, make sure you put the FJ Cruiser’s parking brake on when replacing the front brakes to stop the vehicle from slipping.

Tools Required:

• 17mm socket and breaker bar or rachet
• 12mm socket
• needle nose plies
• C-Clamps

Brake Pad Replacement Procedure

1. Park the vehicle on a flat surface and then pull the parking brake. Next, securely jack up the side of the car, near the tire you want to replace the brake pads on. Place jack stands under the vehicle and make sure everything is secure. Then, remove the lug nuts carefully and finally the tire.
2. Locate and remove the 12mm bolt that holds the brake line/sensor wire bracket to the steering knuckle upper arm. Do NOT pull the bracket off, you will bend the brake line to the caliper. This bracket will be removed later on.
3. Next, locate and remove the 17mm bolts that hold the caliper on the rotor. These bolts may be hard to get off. If you find them difficult to remove, use the breaker bar.
4. With the bolts removed, carefully support the caliper while disconnecting the brake line bracket running to the steering knuckle arm.
5. Looking at the caliper, you will see the brake pads in by 2 pins and a spring. Using the needle-nose pliers, remove the spring by simply pulling the pins off. Remember though, the way these pins were attached inside the caliper. You will need to insert them back in the exact same way.
6. You should now be able to locate the brake pads. Simply, replace them with your new ones.
7. Next, you will want to compress the caliper to be able to reinstall it. This can be done in several ways including using an old brake pad and a c-clamp. By placing the old brake pad on top of the caliper and tightening it down using the c-clamp, you can compress the caliper.
8. Lastly, re-install all the pieces and then place the tire back on being careful to not over-tighten the lug nuts.

Congrats, you have successfully replaced the front brakes on your FJ Cruiser.