🔧 RAV4 - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll be removing the rear wheels, taking off the brake calipers, swapping the pads, and reassembling everything with proper lubrication and torque. This will restore braking performance and prevent damage to the rotors.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and mechanic gloves to protect your eyes and hands.
• ⚠️ Brakes may be hot if recently driven; let them cool before touching.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed; this can push out the piston.
• ⚠️ Keep grease and oil off the pad friction surface and rotor face.
• ⚠️ Your RAV4 uses a mechanical parking brake; set it only when jacking the front. Release it when working on the rear brakes.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🛠️ Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• 🛠️ Jack stands (rated 3-ton pair)
• 🛠️ Wheel chocks
• 🛠️ Lug wrench 21mm
• 🛠️ Socket wrench 3/8" drive
• 🛠️ Socket 14mm
• 🛠️ Socket 17mm
• 🛠️ Torque wrench 3/8" or 1/2" drive
• 🛠️ C-clamp 6" or disc brake piston compressor (specialty)
• 🛠️ Flathead screwdriver medium
• 🛠️ Wire brush small
• 🛠️ Bungee cord
• 🛠️ Shop rags
• 🛠️ Disposable nitrile gloves
• 🛠️ Safety glasses
• 🛠️ Brake cleaner spray
• 🛠️ Small pick tool or awl

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🔩 Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1 set (both sides, replace in pairs)
• 🔩 Rear brake pad hardware kit (anti-rattle clips/shims) - Qty: 1 set
• 🔩 High-temperature brake grease - Qty: 1 small tube
• 🔩 Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans
• 🔩 Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1 small tube
• 🔩 Replacement caliper slide pin boots - Qty: 1 set (optional if existing boots are damaged)

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park the RAV4 on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake while you loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly. Then release the parking brake before jacking up the rear.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels to prevent rolling.
• Loosen each rear wheel lug nut 1/2 turn with the 21mm lug wrench before lifting the vehicle.
• Plan to do one side at a time so you can look at the other side as a reference.
• Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap, then place it loosely back on to allow fluid to move when you compress the pistons.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear of the RAV4

• Use the floor jack on the rear center jacking point (under the rear subframe crossmember) to lift the rear of the vehicle.
• Place jack stands under the reinforced pinch weld/jacking points just ahead of each rear wheel.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands and give the RAV4 a small shake to confirm it is stable.
• Remove the rear wheels using the 21mm lug wrench and set them aside.

Step 2: Inspect the brake area

• Visually inspect the caliper, brake hose, rotor, and pads for damage or leaks.
• Note how the current pads and hardware are installed; you will copy this layout with the new parts. Take a photo for reference.

Step 3: Remove the caliper slide pin bolts

• Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the back of the caliper (top and bottom).
• Use the 14mm socket and socket wrench to loosen and remove both slide pin bolts.
• Gently slide the caliper off the bracket and rotor. If it is stuck, wiggle it or use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry, taking care not to damage the rubber boots.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension spring using a bungee cord so there is no strain on the rubber brake hose.

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Remove the metal pad clips (hardware) from the caliper bracket using the flathead screwdriver to pry them out if needed.
• Use the wire brush to clean the areas on the caliper bracket where the clips sit, removing rust and debris.
• Spray the bracket and rotor hat area (not the bearing) with brake cleaner and wipe with a shop rag.

Step 5: Inspect and lubricate slide pins

• Gently pull each slide pin out of the caliper bracket by hand. A slide pin is the smooth metal pin the caliper bolts threaded into.
• Inspect the pins for rust or pitting; clean with a shop rag and brake cleaner if dirty.
• Check rubber boots for cracks or tears. Replace with new boots if damaged.
• Apply a thin, even coat of high-temperature brake grease to each slide pin and reinsert them fully into the bracket, ensuring they move freely. Pins must slide smoothly.

Step 6: Install new hardware clips

• Install the new hardware clips from your rear brake pad hardware kit onto the cleaned caliper bracket by pressing them into place by hand until they snap in securely.
• Apply a very thin film of high-temperature brake grease to the pad contact points on the clips (where the pad ears will slide). Do not over-grease.

Step 7: Compress the caliper piston

• Position an old brake pad against the caliper piston face.
• Use the C-clamp 6" or disc brake piston compressor to slowly press the piston back into the caliper housing until it is flush. Turn the clamp slowly and watch the piston move.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir under the hood; if the level rises near the top, use a shop rag to soak up a small amount of fluid to prevent overflow.
• Make sure the piston boot is not twisted or pinched when fully compressed.

Step 8: Install new rear brake pads

• Check your new pads: one is inner and one is outer. The inner usually has a wear indicator tab (small metal finger).
• Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake grease to the back of each pad where it contacts the caliper or shim (not on the friction surface).
• Install the new inner pad into the caliper bracket first, seating the ears into the hardware clips.
• Install the new outer pad into the bracket. Make sure both pads sit flat and move slightly in the clips.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper over the new pads

• Remove the bungee cord and carefully position the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Align the caliper with the slide pin ears on the bracket.
• Reinstall the two slide pin bolts with your fingers to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten them using the 14mm socket and socket wrench, then torque to spec with the torque wrench: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat Steps 3–9 on the opposite rear wheel.
• Do both sides for even braking.

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Apply a very light smear of anti-seize compound to the wheel hub face where it meets the wheel (avoid studs and rotor face).
• Reinstall the wheels and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Use the 21mm lug wrench to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern while the vehicle is still on jack stands.
• Use the floor jack to lift the RAV4 slightly, remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle to the ground.
• Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern with the torque wrench and 21mm socket to: Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reset brake pedal and fluid level

• With the engine off, slowly press the brake pedal several times until it becomes firm. This seats the new pads against the rotors.
• Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir and adjust to the “MAX” line if needed.
• Reinstall the brake fluid reservoir cap securely.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and press the brake pedal again to confirm a firm, consistent feel.
• With the area clear, gently test the brakes at low speed in your driveway, then at 20–30 km/h, checking for noises, pulling, or vibration.
• For the first 300–500 km, avoid very hard braking when possible. Perform several gentle-to-moderate stops to bed in the pads.
• After a short drive, check the rear wheels for excessive heat or burning smell, and look for any fluid leaks around the calipers.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $280-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $220-$330 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 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 above to add everything to your cart.