🔧 Camry - Rear Brake Pads & Rotors Replacement

You’ll be replacing the rear brake pads and brake rotors on your Camry, and cycling the electronic parking brake into service mode so the pistons can safely retract. This restores braking performance and prevents noise, vibration, and uneven wear.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Always support the car with jack stands; never work under a car held only by a jack.
• 🛑 Wear safety glasses and mechanic gloves; rust and brake dust can be harmful.
• 🛑 Your Camry has an electronic parking brake (EPB) on the rear calipers. Trying to compress the pistons without putting the EPB in “service/maintenance mode” can damage the EPB motors.
• 🛑 Do not press the brake pedal with the calipers removed; the pistons can pop out.
• 🛑 Keep all grease and cleaners off the friction surfaces of pads and rotors.
• 🛑 Battery disconnect is not required, but keep ignition OFF any time you are not actively using a scan tool or EPB function.

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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, Qty: 2)
• 🧰 Wheel chocks
• 🧰 Lug wrench or 21mm socket with breaker bar
• 🧰 Socket set (8mm–21mm)
• 🧰 14mm socket
• 🧰 17mm socket
• 🧰 3/8" drive ratchet
• 🧰 1/2" drive ratchet
• 🧰 Torque wrench (3/8" drive, 5–80 ft-lbs range)
• 🧰 Torque wrench (1/2" drive, 30–150 ft-lbs range)
• 🧰 Flathead screwdriver (medium)
• 🧰 Needle-nose pliers
• 🧰 Brake caliper piston compressor tool
• 🧰 Wire brush
• 🧰 Bungee cord or wire hanger
• 🧰 Shop rags
• 🧰 Brake cleaner spray
• 🧰 Anti-seize compound
• 🧰 High-temperature brake grease
• 🧰 Scan tool with EPB service mode support (specialty)
• 🧰 Small wire brush for slide pins
• 🧰 Plastic or brass brush for caliper bracket
• 🧰 Safety glasses
• 🧰 Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🔩 Rear brake pad set (left and right) - Qty: 1 set (replace in pairs)
• 🔩 Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2 (replace in pairs)
• 🔩 Rear brake pad hardware kit (anti-rattle clips/shims) - Qty: 1 kit
• 🔩 Brake cleaner - Qty: 1–2 cans
• 🔩 High-temperature brake grease - Qty: 1 tube
• 🔩 Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1 small tube
• 🔩 Disposable shop towels - Qty: 1 pack

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park the Camry on a flat, solid surface. Put the transmission in PARK and leave the ignition OFF for now.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of and behind at least one front wheel.
• 📘 Make sure you know how your scan tool works. You’ll use it to put the electronic parking brake (EPB) into pad replacement / service mode.
• 🔌 Do not disconnect the battery; the EPB needs electrical power while you command it with the scan tool.
• 📝 Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the car.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use the lug wrench or 21mm socket with breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about one turn while the car is still on the ground.
• Do not fully remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Car

• Position the floor jack under the rear center jacking point (just ahead of the rear subframe crossmember).
• Raise the car until both rear wheels are off the ground.
• Place jack stands under the rear pinch welds or specified support points and carefully lower the car onto the stands.
• Gently rock the car by hand to confirm it’s stable before working.

Step 3: Remove Rear Wheels

• Use the lug wrench or 21mm socket with ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them aside.

Step 4: Put Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) into Service Mode

• Turn the ignition to ON (engine off), with the gear selector still in PARK.
• Connect your scan tool with EPB service mode support to the OBD-II port under the dash.
• Using the scan tool, navigate to the brake/EPB system and select the function for Pad Replacement / Maintenance Mode / EPB Service Mode.
• Follow the on-screen prompts so the EPB retracts the rear calipers for servicing.
• Turn ignition OFF after the scan tool confirms the EPB is in service mode.
• Do not operate the parking brake switch again until reassembly.

Step 5: Remove Rear Caliper – First Side

• On one rear wheel, locate the caliper. It’s the clamp-shaped part holding the pads against the rotor.
• Use a 14mm socket with 3/8" ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts (top and bottom).
• Carefully lift the caliper off the rotor. If it’s stuck, gently pry with a flathead screwdriver between the pad and rotor.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension spring using a bungee cord or wire hanger so there is no strain on the brake hose or EPB wiring.

Step 6: Remove Old Pads and Hardware

• Slide the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket with your hands or a flathead screwdriver.
• Remove the metal pad clips (hardware) from the caliper bracket using needle-nose pliers if needed.
• Note pad orientation so new pads go in the same way.

Step 7: Remove Caliper Bracket and Rotor

• Use a 17mm socket with 1/2" ratchet to remove the two large bolts holding the caliper bracket to the rear knuckle.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it on a clean surface.
• Pull the rotor straight off the hub. If it’s stuck from rust, tap the rotor hat (center area) with a rubber mallet or use a flathead screwdriver to gently break it free.
• If there are retaining screws, remove them with the correct bit.

Step 8: Clean Hub and Caliper Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the face of the hub where the rotor sits.
• Wipe with a shop rag and a bit of brake cleaner.
• On the caliper bracket, use a plastic or brass brush to clean the pad contact areas.
• Remove the slide pins from the bracket one at a time. Clean them with a shop rag and brake cleaner and inspect the rubber boots.
• Apply a thin coat of high-temperature brake grease to each slide pin and reinstall it fully into its boot.

Step 9: Install New Rotor

• Spray the new rotor’s friction surfaces with brake cleaner to remove any protective oil, then wipe dry with shop rags.
• Apply a very thin film of anti-seize compound to the hub face where the rotor contacts it. Avoid the wheel studs.
• Install the new rotor onto the hub, aligning the holes with the studs.
• Use one or two lug nuts threaded on by hand (with the 21mm socket) to hold the rotor snug against the hub while you work.

Step 10: Reinstall Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Install the two caliper bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 17mm socket with 1/2" torque wrench to tighten the caliper bracket bolts to 107 Nm (79 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Install New Pad Hardware and Pads

• Snap the new metal pad clips (hardware) into the caliper bracket by hand. Make sure they sit fully seated and flat.
• Apply a very thin layer of high-temperature brake grease to the areas of the clips where the pads will slide. Do not get grease on pad friction surfaces.
• Install the new pads into the bracket in the same orientation as the old ones. The pad with the wear indicator (small metal tab) usually goes on the inside.

Step 12: Compress Caliper Piston

• Verify EPB is still in service mode and not applied.
• Place an old pad against the caliper piston face.
• Use the brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the piston back into the caliper until it bottoms out. This creates room for the thicker new pads.
• Go slowly to avoid damaging seals.

Step 13: Reinstall Caliper Over New Pads

• Position the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Align the caliper slide pin holes with the caliper ears.
• Install the two slide pin bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket with 3/8" torque wrench to tighten the caliper slide pin bolts to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Repeat Steps 5–13 on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat the same removal, cleaning, rotor, and pad installation steps on the opposite rear wheel.

Step 15: Exit EPB Service Mode and Apply Parking Brake

• Reconnect your scan tool if needed and follow the prompts to exit Pad Replacement / Maintenance Mode. This will move the EPB back to its normal position.
• After the tool confirms the procedure is complete, turn ignition OFF, then ON again and confirm there are no EPB warning lights.
• Do not drive if EPB or brake warning lights stay on.

Step 16: Reinstall Wheels

• Reinstall each rear wheel on its hub.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first to prevent cross-threading.
• Use the 21mm socket with ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern while the car is still on jack stands. Do not fully torque yet.

Step 17: Lower the Car and Torque Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the car slightly, remove the jack stands, then slowly lower the car to the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket with 1/2" torque wrench to torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 18: Pump Brake Pedal and Final Checks

• Sit in the driver’s seat and, with the engine OFF, slowly pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm. This seats the pads against the rotors.
• Start the engine and press the brake pedal again to confirm a firm pedal.
• Check around both rear brakes for any loose components or leaks.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 With the engine running, shift to DRIVE (foot firmly on brake) and gently test that the car does not roll when you release the parking brake, then reapply it to confirm it works.
• 🛣 Perform a short, low-speed test drive. Listen for grinding, scraping, or clunking. Brakes may make light noise at first but should smooth out.
• 🛑 Bed-in the pads: Make 5–8 gentle stops from about 30–35 mph down to 5–10 mph, allowing a minute between stops for cooling.
• 📊 If you have a scan tool, check for stored brake or EPB codes and clear any related to service mode once everything is working correctly.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450–$750 (parts + labor) for rear pads and rotors on a Camry with EPB.

DIY Cost: $180–$320 (parts only, depending on brands)

You Save: $270–$430 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5–2.0 hours.

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