🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Camry means removing the rear caliper, swapping the pads, and then compressing the rear caliper piston before reassembly. This car uses an electronic parking brake, so you must put it in brake service mode first to avoid damage.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Put the electronic parking brake into service mode before removing the rear calipers.
• Never press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• Support the car securely with jack stands before removing wheels.
• Rear brake components can be hot after driving.
• Use wheel chocks on the front wheels.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 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
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Shop rags
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground.
• Set the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake only after service mode is active.
• For this Camry, activate rear brake service mode before starting.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the rear brakes in service mode

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Press and hold the parking brake switch down, then press and hold it up several times as required by service mode.
• Use the parking brake switch sequence until the rear calipers retract and the service mode message is confirmed.
• Stop if the EPB light behaves unexpectedly.

Step 2: Lift the rear of the vehicle

• Use the 21mm socket to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts before lifting.
• Raise the rear of the car with the floor jack.
• Support it with jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels with the 21mm socket.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs) during reassembly.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use the 14mm socket to remove the rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Support the caliper with a bungee cord or caliper hanger.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the hose.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs) on reassembly.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Remove the old pads from the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware.
• Use the wire brush to clean rust from the pad lands.
• Use brake cleaner and shop rags to clean the bracket.

Step 5: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Use the brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston back in.
• Keep the piston straight as it goes in.
• If it resists heavily, stop and recheck service mode.
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 6: Install the new pads

• Install the new hardware clips from the brake pad hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and backing plate ears.
• Install the new rear brake pads into the bracket.
• Make sure the pads sit fully in the clips.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the caliper slide pin bolts with the 14mm socket.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on.
• Start the lug nuts by hand.
• Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts with the 21mm socket.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

Step 9: Exit service mode

• Follow the parking brake service mode exit procedure.
• Confirm the parking brake cycles normally.
• Check for warning lights on the dash.

---

✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the car.
• Check that the pedal feels firm.
• Verify the parking brake works.
• Do a slow test drive and listen for scraping or rubbing.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first drive.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $70-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $180-$310 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 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 below to add everything to your cart.