Toyota 4Runner Maintenance - Change Brake Pads

Are your brakes squealing or grinding? Is it time to change your Toyota 4Runner brake pads? It isn’t extremely difficult, here is how to do it. 

Are your brakes squealing or grinding? Do they need to be changed? Here’s how.

Before you begin this repair or any other repair like it, it is important to set aside an ample amount of time and find the right place to do it. Since the vehicle will be lifted into the air, it is important to find a level piece of ground. Also, make sure you have enough light and time to complete the job. Rushing through the repair and not being able to see clearly can lead to long-term problems with your vehicle. 

In order to change the brake pads, follow these steps:

1. First, loosen the lug nuts on the tire you want to work on first.
2. Next, lift the 4Runner into the air and remove the tire. Also, put jack stands below the vehicle and lower the vehicle on them.
3. With the 4Runner in the air and the brake area exposed, find the caliper assembly. Slide a c-clamp over the assembly and find the outboard brake pad. Tighten the c-clamp to push the piston back into the caliper. When the piston rests on the bottom of the caliper, stop tightening the c-clap.
4. Remove the caliper by loosening the bolts and sliding it off.
5. Open the caliper from the bottom to expose the brake pads. Remove the old pads and insert the new ones. Also, you may consider spraying the brake pads with brake parts cleaner.
6. Replace the caliper and reassemble it back on the rotor by using the same bolts you pulled off.
7. Put the tire back on and tighten the lug nuts. Lower the 4Runner to the ground.
8. After everything is secure, you will need to pump the brake to reset the pedal. Usually, 2-3 pumps will take care of the “soft” pedal and make it hard.

If you took your time and followed these steps, your 4Runner should be ready to go with new brakes.

Questions?