🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Brake Service

This job replaces the rear brake pads and rear rotors on your RAV4, then resets the parking brake shoes if needed and restores proper pedal feel. On this Toyota, the rear rotor may be held by the parking brake shoes inside the rotor hat, so rotor removal can take a little extra effort.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat, solid surface and chock the front wheels.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Let brakes cool first; rotors and calipers can get very hot.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• If your rear pads are worn very thin, the parking brake may need adjustment after rotor installation.
• Hybrid system: keep the vehicle OFF and key fob away from the car while working.

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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 for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug wrench or socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or disc brake piston tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s wire
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• Brake grease - Qty: 1 packet

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the front wheels.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Raise the rear and support it securely on jack stands.
• If the rotor will not slide off, the parking brake shoes may be holding it. You may need to back off the parking brake adjuster through the access hole in the backing plate.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear wheel

• Use a 21mm lug wrench or socket to remove the lug nuts.
• Take off the wheel and set it aside.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord or mechanic’s wire.
• Never let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.
• Torque on install: 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs)

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver to back off the parking brake adjuster through the access hole if equipped.
• Tap the rotor hat lightly if needed.
• Rust often locks rotors in place.

Step 5: Clean and inspect

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove packing oil.
• Inspect the caliper slides and pad contact points for rust or sticking.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• If the rotor has a retaining screw, install it using the correct screwdriver or socket if equipped.
• Make sure the rotor sits flush against the hub.

Step 7: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or disc brake piston tool to slowly compress the caliper piston.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing. Do not let it overflow.
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 8: Install new pads and hardware

• Install the new hardware clips from the rear brake hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and slide pins.
• Install the new rear pads into the bracket.

Step 9: Reinstall the bracket and caliper

• Use a 17mm socket to reinstall the caliper bracket.
• Torque to 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs)
• Reinstall the caliper using a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)

Step 10: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle and use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs)

Step 11: Repeat on the other side

• Do the same repair on the opposite rear wheel.
• Replace rotors and pads in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Start the vehicle and confirm there are no warning lights.
• Test the brakes at low speed before normal driving.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops so the new pads and rotors can bed in properly.

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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?

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