🔧 Highlander - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This job replaces the rear disc brake pads on your Highlander. Rear brake pads wear down over time and should be replaced before the friction material gets too thin or damages the rotors.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool vehicle parked on level ground.
• ⚠️ Support your Highlander with jack stands before removing any wheels. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Your Highlander uses a rear parking brake system inside the rear rotor “hat.” Do not pull the parking brake while the rear caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air; use brake cleaner instead.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for normal rear pad replacement.

---

🔧 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 lug nut socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm open-end wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs)
• Disc brake pad spreader tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop rags
• Bungee cord
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Highlander on a flat surface.
• 🅿️ Make sure the transmission is in Park.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 🔓 Release the parking brake before lifting the rear of the vehicle.
• 📌 A caliper is the clamp-shaped brake part that squeezes the pads against the rotor.
• 📌 A rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel.
• 📌 Brake lubricant is special high-temperature grease used only on metal contact points, never on pad friction material or rotor faces.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Tip: Loosen, do not remove yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of your Highlander at the rear center jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the rear side support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to make sure it is stable before working.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Remove the Lower Caliper Bolt

• Look at the back side of the rear brake caliper.
• Use the 17mm open-end wrench to hold the slide pin steady.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the lower caliper bolt.
• A slide pin is a smooth pin that lets the caliper move slightly as the brakes apply and release.

Step 5: Swing the Caliper Up

• Use your hand to gently swing the caliper upward away from the brake pads.
• If it feels stuck, use the flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry between the old pad and rotor.
• Use the bungee cord to support the caliper so it does not hang by the brake hose.
• Tip: Never stretch the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Use your hands to slide the old inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket.
• If they are tight, use the flat-blade screwdriver to gently work them free.
• Notice how the wear indicator tab is positioned so the new pads go in the same way.

Step 7: Remove and Clean the Pad Hardware

• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old metal pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• Use the small wire brush to clean the bracket surfaces where the clips sit.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray and wipe it dry with shop rags.
• Pad clips are thin metal pieces that help the brake pads slide smoothly and quietly.

Step 8: Install the New Hardware

• Use your hands to snap the new rear brake pad hardware clips into the caliper bracket.
• Make sure each clip sits flat and fully seated.
• Apply a very thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad contact areas on the clips.
• Do not get lubricant on the rotor or the pad friction surface.

Step 9: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the disc brake pad spreader tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Go slowly so brake fluid can move back into the master cylinder without overflowing.
• If brake fluid rises near the top of the reservoir, use clean shop rags around the reservoir area to protect paint.

Step 10: Install the New Brake Pads

• Use your hands to slide the new inner and outer brake pads into the caliper bracket.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should slide in smoothly without forcing them.
• Tip: Forced pads may drag later.

Step 11: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and swing the caliper down over the new pads.
• Use your hand to start the lower caliper bolt by threading it in a few turns.
• Use the 17mm open-end wrench to hold the slide pin steady.
• Use the 14mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the caliper bolt to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same tools and steps on the other rear brake assembly.
• Always replace rear brake pads in pairs so braking stays even side-to-side.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Put each rear wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Do not fully torque the lug nuts while the vehicle is still in the air.

Step 14: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack to lift slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Highlander fully to the ground using the floor jack.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly several times.
• The pedal will feel soft at first, then become firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level under the hood and make sure it is between the MIN and MAX marks.
• ✅ Start your Highlander and press the brake pedal again to confirm it feels firm.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area and make several gentle stops.
• ✅ Listen for scraping, grinding, or clunking noises.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $130-$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 below to add everything to your cart.