🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

Your rear brake pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both at the same time gives the best braking feel and even wear. On your RAV4 hybrid, this is a straightforward job if you take your time and keep everything clean.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Support the vehicle with jack stands. Never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Keep your hands clear of the brake pedal while the caliper is off.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Let the brakes cool first if the vehicle was recently driven.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Turn the vehicle OFF and keep the key fob away from the vehicle so it cannot enter READY by accident.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or mechanic's hook
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Bristle brush
• Brake cleaner
• Brake caliper piston tool (specialty)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Wire brush

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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
• Rear caliper hardware kit - Qty: 1 set
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• Brake grease - Qty: 1 tube

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• Make sure the transmission is in Park.
• Keep the ignition OFF and the key fob away from the vehicle.
• If the rotors are stuck, plan to use penetrating oil and light tapping from behind.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the rear

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of the vehicle at a proper rear jacking point.
• Support both sides with jack stands.
• Remove both rear wheels using the 21mm socket.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs) during reassembly.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord. Do not let it hang by the brake hose.
• Keep the hose relaxed.
• If the slide pins are dry or sticky, inspect them now.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs) on reassembly.

Step 3: Remove the brake pads and hardware

• Remove the inner and outer pads from the bracket.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver and needle-nose pliers if needed to remove the pad clips.
• Remove the old hardware and clean the bracket with brake cleaner and a wire brush.
• Clean metal surfaces help the pads slide freely.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use the 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Take the bracket off and set it aside.
• Torque to 107 Nm (79 ft-lbs) on reassembly.

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• If the rotor has retaining screws, remove them with the correct Phillips screwdriver or impact driver.
• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If it is stuck, tap the rotor hat area from behind with a rubber mallet and use penetrating oil around the center hub.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove protective oil.
• Install the new rotor on the hub.
• If present, reinstall the rotor retaining screw and snug it down.
• Torque to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs) if equipped.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper bracket and pads

• Install the caliper bracket using the 17mm socket.
• Torque to 107 Nm (79 ft-lbs).
• Install the new pad clips from the hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease where the pad ears contact the clips.
• Install the new pads in the bracket.

Step 8: Compress the caliper piston and reinstall the caliper

• Use the brake caliper piston tool to push the piston fully back in.
• Install the caliper over the new pads.
• Reinstall the slide pin bolts with the 14mm socket.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
• Make sure the caliper moves freely.

Step 9: Reinstall the wheels

• Install both rear wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle with the floor jack.
• Use the torque wrench and 21mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times before driving. This seats the pads against the rotors.
• Check brake fluid level after compressing the pistons.
• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing, grinding, or clicking noises.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops unless needed.

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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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