🔧 Rear Brake Pads and Rotors - Replacement

Your rear brake pads and rotors are worn items and should be replaced together to restore stopping power and pedal feel. On your RAV4, the rear brakes are straightforward, but you need to support the caliper properly and torque everything correctly.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface with the parking brake set and the transmission in Park.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Brake parts may be hot after driving. Let them cool first.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Use brake cleaner only in a well-ventilated area.
• 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
• 21mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Breaker bar
• C-clamp
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Rubber mallet
• 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 set
• Rear brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1 set
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• Raise the rear and support both sides with jack stands.
• Keep the parking brake released before removing the rear caliper and rotor.
• Tip: Break loose stubborn lug nuts before lifting.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear wheel

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts, then remove the wheel.
• Set the wheel aside flat so it does not roll.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

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

Step 3: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off.
• If it is stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver if needed to back off any rotor retaining tension.
• Tip: If the rotor will not move, tap evenly around the hat.

Step 5: Clean and inspect

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub and bracket with brake cleaner.
• Inspect the caliper slide pins and boots for damage.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner before installation.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.

Step 7: Install new pads and hardware

• Install the new hardware clips from the brake hardware kit into the bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins.
• Install the new pads in the bracket.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Install the caliper bracket with a 17mm socket.
• Torque to 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston and reinstall the caliper

• Use a C-clamp to slowly compress the caliper piston until it seats fully.
• Make sure the brake fluid reservoir does not overflow.
• Install the caliper over the new pads and start the slide bolts by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle and use a 21mm socket to torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the rear brakes on the other side the same way.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the vehicle.
• Check brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing, clicking, or grinding.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops if possible.

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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.