🔧 Front Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

Replacing the front pads and rotors on your Highlander restores stopping power and helps eliminate brake noise, vibration, and pulsation. This job is straightforward for a first-time DIYer if you work one wheel at a time and keep everything clean.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the vehicle securely with jack stands before removing any wheel.
• Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• Brake dust may be present; do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Use brake cleaner only on brake parts. Keep it off rubber boots and paint.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Front brakes on your Highlander do not require battery disconnect for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (pair, rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Breaker bar
• C-clamp
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Bungee cord or hook
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• Lift the front end and support it with jack stands.
• Keep the ignition off while the caliper is removed.
• Work on one side at a time.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the front wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the front lug nuts about 1 turn each.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Raise and support the vehicle

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the vehicle at the proper front jacking point.
• Place jack stands (pair, rated 3-ton minimum) under the front support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the stands.
• Shake the vehicle lightly to confirm stability.

Step 3: Remove the wheel

• Use the 21mm socket to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove the wheel and set it aside flat on the ground.

Step 4: Remove the brake caliper

• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or hook. Do not let it hang by the brake hose.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm wrench and ratchet to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the steering knuckle.

Step 6: Remove the old rotor

• If the rotor is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver to release it from the small retaining clip area if equipped.
• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If it is rusted in place, tap the rotor hat lightly from the back side.

Step 7: Clean the hub surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and scale from the hub face.
• Spray the hub with brake cleaner and wipe it dry.
• A clean hub helps prevent rotor wobble.

Step 8: Install the new rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil.
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.
• If your rotor has a retaining screw, reinstall it snugly.

Step 9: Prepare and install the caliper bracket

• Use brake cleaner to clean the bracket and hardware contact points.
• Install the caliper bracket with a 17mm wrench and ratchet.
• Torque to 102 Nm (75 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Retract the caliper piston

• Place the old inner pad against the piston.
• Use a C-clamp to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir as the piston retracts.
• Go slow to avoid damaging the seal.

Step 11: Install new pads and hardware

• Install the new pad clips from the brake hardware kit if included.
• Apply brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins and pad contact points as needed.
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 12: Reinstall the caliper

• Set the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to install the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle until the tire touches the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Repeat on the other side

• Perform the same steps on the opposite front wheel.
• Replace rotors in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Before driving, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Expect a short pad break-in period. Avoid hard stops for the first 200 miles if possible.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking and recheck lug nut torque after driving.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.