🔧 Front Brake Pads - Replacement

Replacing the front brake pads on your Highlander restores stopping power and helps prevent rotor damage from worn pads. This job is straightforward for a beginner if you work carefully and keep everything clean.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Use jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Brake dust can be harmful, so do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Front brake calipers are heavy. Support them so the brake hose is not stretched.
• No battery disconnect is required 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 (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• Lug wrench
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper hanger or mechanic's wire
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake hardware clips - Qty: 1 set

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the transmission in Park, and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level before starting. If it is already full, push the caliper pistons back slowly so it does not overflow.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the front wheel

• Use the lug wrench to loosen the front lug nuts 1/2 turn before lifting.
• Raise the front of the vehicle with the floor jack and support it with jack stands.
• Remove the lug nuts and wheel.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 14mm socket and ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a brake caliper hanger or mechanic's wire.
• Do not let it hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old brake pads out of the bracket.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver if the pads are stuck.
• Remove the pad clips from the bracket and clean the contact points with a wire brush and brake cleaner.

Step 4: Retract the caliper piston

• Place the old pad against the piston and use a C-clamp to slowly push the piston back in.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston.
• Move slowly to avoid fluid overflow.

Step 5: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new brake hardware clips into the bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad ears and contact points only.
• Install the new brake pads into the bracket.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Use the 14mm socket to reinstall the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle enough for the tire to touch the ground.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads on the opposite front wheel the same way.
• Replace brake pads in pairs to keep braking balanced.

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✅ After Repair

• Before driving, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops when possible so the pads bed in properly.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$420 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $70-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $150-$260 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 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.