🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads and rotors on your Prius V restores braking performance and fixes pulsing, noise, or thin pads. The rear brakes use a standard disc setup, so the job is straightforward if you work carefully and keep the caliper piston aligned while compressing it.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Support the car with jack stands before removing any wheels. Never rely on a jack alone.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a rear caliper removed.
• Wear safety glasses and gloves. Brake dust can irritate your eyes and skin.
• If the rear parking brake is applied, release it before starting.
• Hybrid system can stay OFF for this repair. No battery disconnect is required.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or mechanic's hook
• C-clamp or disc brake piston tool
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 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
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts before lifting the car.
• Release the parking brake before removing the rear calipers.
• Keep one rear wheel installed until the car is securely on stands if you want extra stability.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the rear of the car

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of the car at the proper rear lift point.
• Place jack stands under the rear support points.
• Lower the car onto the stands and verify it is stable before going under or removing wheels.
• Remove both rear wheels with a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

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

Step 3: Remove the caliper bracket and rotor

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• If the rotor is stuck, thread in the rotor jacking holes if present or tap the rotor hat with a flat blade screwdriver and a mallet-style strike by hand.
• Remove the rotor from the hub.

Step 4: Clean and prep the mounting surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub and bracket with brake cleaner and wipe them clean.
• A clean hub prevents rotor wobble.

Step 5: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner before installing it.
• Slide the rotor onto the hub.
• If needed, hold it in place with a lug nut finger-tight.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Install the caliper bracket with a 17mm socket.
• Torque to 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs).
• Make sure the bracket sits squarely on the knuckle.

Step 7: Install the new brake pads

• Remove the old pads from the bracket.
• Clean the pad contact points and apply a thin coat of brake grease where the pads touch the hardware.
• Install the new hardware kit if included.
• Place the new pads in the bracket.
• Do not grease the pad friction material.

Step 8: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or disc brake piston tool to slowly compress the piston fully into the caliper.
• Keep the piston face straight so it does not twist or bind.
• If the brake fluid reservoir gets too full, remove a small amount of fluid before fully compressing the piston.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Install the slide bolts with a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheels

• Install both rear wheels by hand first.
• Lower the car enough for the tires to touch the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Final brake check

• Before moving the car, pump the brake pedal until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Make sure the parking brake holds properly.

---

✅ After Repair

• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing, grinding, or clicking.
• Check for brake fluid leaks around both rear calipers.
• Bed the new pads by making several medium stops from low speed. Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles.

---

💰 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.

---

🎯 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.