🔧 Prius - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Prius involves lifting the rear, removing the rear wheels, swinging the rear calipers up, swapping pads/hardware, and compressing the caliper pistons before reassembly. On some Prius trims, you must put the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) into service/maintenance mode so the parking brake motor doesn’t fight you.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support your Prius on jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep the car OFF and keep the key fob at least 15+ feet away so the brake system doesn’t wake up.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed (it can push the piston out).
• ⚠️ If your Prius has an electronic parking brake, place it in service/maintenance mode before pushing pistons back.
• ⚠️ Avoid opening the driver door repeatedly during the job; the brake system can run self-checks.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not typically required for pads, but keep the vehicle fully powered down.

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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
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs range)
• C-clamp brake piston compressor
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Bidirectional scan tool with EPB service 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
• Silicone brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Confirm what parking brake you have:
  • If you have an EPB switch (button/switch), you must use EPB service mode.
  • If you have a foot pedal parking brake, you can proceed normally.
• If you have EPB: connect a bidirectional scan tool (a scanner that can command vehicle modules) and select EPB > Maintenance/Service Mode before you start.
• Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear at the proper jacking point, then support with jack stands under the rear support points.
• Remove both rear wheels using a 21mm socket and ratchet.
• When reinstalling wheels later: Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench.

Step 2: Put the parking brake in the correct state

• If equipped with EPB: use a bidirectional scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty) to command EPB Maintenance/Service Mode.
• If equipped with a foot pedal parking brake: make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• Service mode prevents motor damage.

Step 3: Remove the caliper (do not disconnect the brake hose)

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed for the rear; position yourself for access.
• Remove the rear caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet.
• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket and suspend it with a bungee cord so it doesn’t hang by the hose.
• On reassembly: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench on the slide pin bolts.

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads out by hand; use a flat-blade screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the pad clips/hardware from the bracket (usually snaps out); use a flat-blade screwdriver if needed.
• Clean the bracket pad-contact areas using brake cleaner spray and a wire brush.

Step 5: Compress the caliper piston

• Place an old pad against the piston face, then use a C-clamp brake piston compressor to push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Go slowly and keep it straight so the rubber boot doesn’t twist.
• Check brake fluid level as you compress.

Step 6: Install new hardware and pads

• Install new pad clips/hardware into the bracket by hand (press until fully seated).
• Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease to pad “ears” where they slide on the clips (do not get grease on pad friction material).
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.

Step 7: Reinstall caliper and torque fasteners

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet, then final tighten with a torque wrench.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs) for the slide pin bolts.

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat Steps 3–7 on the opposite rear wheel.
• Do both sides so braking stays even.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and lower the car

• Install wheels and hand-thread lug nuts first.
• Snug lug nuts with a 21mm socket and ratchet.
• Lower the car, then Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs) in a star pattern using a torque wrench.

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✅ After Repair

• Before moving: press the brake pedal slowly 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• If equipped with EPB: use the bidirectional scan tool to exit EPB Maintenance/Service Mode, then apply/release EPB to confirm normal operation.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test drive at low speed first. Confirm no grinding and the car stops straight.
• Brake pad break-in: make several gentle stops from 25–35 mph, allowing cool-down between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $50-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $110-$400 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.

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🎯 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.