🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

Your rear brake pads are a wear item, and replacing them restores stopping power and helps prevent rotor damage. On your RAV4, the rear calipers must be compressed before the new pads will fit, so the job is mostly careful disassembly, pad swap, and reassembly.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

---

⚠️ 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 a jack alone.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Use brake cleaner only on brake parts. Keep it off rubber boots and paint.
• Your RAV4 uses a conventional rear caliper setup, so no electronic parking brake retraction is required.
• Before driving, pump the brake pedal until it feels firm.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

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

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• If the parking brake is holding the rear wheels tightly, release it before starting.
• Keep the ignition off while working.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear of your RAV4 at the approved lift point.
• Support it with jack stands placed under the rear support points.
• Remove the rear wheels with a 21mm lug wrench or socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

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

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old brake pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware from the bracket.
• Use a flat blade screwdriver if the pads are stuck.
• Clean the bracket before installing new parts.

Step 4: Retract the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or disc brake piston tool to slowly compress the caliper piston.
• Compress it evenly until it is fully seated.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood as you compress the piston.

Step 5: Clean and install new hardware

• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean the pad lands on the bracket.
• Install the new pad hardware from the brake pad hardware kit.
• Make sure the clips sit flat and secure.

Step 6: Install the new pads

• Apply the new rear brake pads into the bracket in the same orientation as the old ones.
• If the pad set includes wear indicators, place them in the same location as the originals.
• Fit should be snug but not forced.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Position the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts by hand first, then tighten with a 14mm socket and ratchet.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

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

---

✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test drive at low speed first and listen for unusual noises.
• New pads may need a short break-in period. Make several gentle stops before normal driving.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$380 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $160-$240 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 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.