🔧 RX350 - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing rear brake pads means removing the rear calipers, swapping the worn pads for new ones, and compressing the caliper piston so everything fits back together. On your RX350, the only “gotcha” is whether you have an electronic parking brake (EPB), because EPB calipers must be put into maintenance mode before pushing the piston back.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the RX350 with jack stands before working under/around a wheel.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is hazardous—use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ If equipped with electronic parking brake (EPB), you must use EPB maintenance mode before compressing the piston, or you can damage the caliper motor/gears.
• ⚠️ Keep grease and oil off pad friction material and rotors.

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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
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (30-150 ft-lbs range)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• C-clamp (6")
• Large slip-joint pliers
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Scan tool with Lexus EPB maintenance mode (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake pad hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the engine off, and keep the front wheels chocked with wheel chocks.
• Loosen rear lug nuts 1/2 turn with a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Check your parking brake type:
  • EPB switch on the console = you likely need EPB maintenance mode.
  • Foot pedal parking brake = you do not use EPB maintenance mode.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; fluid may rise when you compress pistons. Don’t overfill.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper rear jack point.
• Set the vehicle down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the rear wheels using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: If equipped, put the EPB into maintenance mode

• If your RX350 has an EPB switch, connect your scan tool with Lexus EPB maintenance mode (specialty) and command rear parking brake Maintenance Mode/Pad Replacement Mode.
• If you have a foot pedal parking brake, skip this step.
• Do not compress EPB pistons without service mode.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper (pads stay in bracket)

• Turn the steering wheel straight and work on one side at a time.
• Remove the two caliper slide-pin bolts using a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord. Never let it hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the brake pads out of the bracket by hand; use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the pad clips/shims (hardware) from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad “lands” (where pads slide) with a wire brush and brake cleaner spray.

Step 5: Compress the caliper piston

• Place an old brake pad against the piston face.
• Slowly compress the piston using a C-clamp (6") until it bottoms out.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing; wipe spills with shop towels.

Step 6: Service the slide pins (recommended)

• Pull the slide pins out of the bracket (they usually slide out by hand; use large slip-joint pliers gently if needed).
• Wipe old grease off with shop towels, then apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease (silicone).
• Reinstall the pins and make sure they move smoothly.

Step 7: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips/shims from your hardware kit into the bracket.
• Apply a very thin film of brake caliper grease (silicone) on the clip contact points where the pad “ears” slide. Keep grease off the pad face.
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper and torque fasteners

• Set the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the slide-pin bolts using a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs) using a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range).

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheels and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Lower the RX350 off the stands using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs) in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and 1/2" drive torque wrench (30-150 ft-lbs range).

Step 10: Take the EPB out of maintenance mode (if used)

• Use the scan tool with Lexus EPB maintenance mode (specialty) to exit maintenance mode and run the close/apply function.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine off, pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• Start the RX350 and confirm the brake pedal feels normal and does not sink.
• Test the parking brake function in a safe, flat area.
• Do a gentle bedding-in: 6-10 moderate stops from 40 km/h (25 mph) to 10 km/h (6 mph), with light driving between stops to cool.
• Recheck for abnormal noises and verify no brake fluid leaks.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹6,000-₹14,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹2,500-₹7,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹3,500-₹7,000 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹1,500-₹3,000/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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