🔧 Highlander - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Your Highlander’s rear brake pads can be replaced at home by removing the rear calipers, swapping pads/shims, and reassembling with the correct torque. Because your Highlander uses an electronic parking brake (EPB), you must put the system in a service/maintenance mode before pushing the pistons back.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the vehicle on jack stands; never rely on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor (it can pop the piston out and leak fluid).
• ⚠️ Use EPB maintenance mode before compressing rear pistons, or you can damage the EPB system.
• ⚠️ Brake dust/cleaner are hazardous—wear gloves and safety glasses; work in a ventilated area.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels so the vehicle can’t roll.

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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" ratchet
• 1/2" breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-200 Nm range)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Disc brake piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Catch pan
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear pad hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Silicone brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the steering wheel straight, and place wheel chocks at the front tires.
• Release the parking brake (EPB must be OFF) before lifting the vehicle.
• Open the hood and check brake fluid level in the reservoir; fluid may rise when you compress pistons. Remove a little if near MAX.
• Put the EPB in maintenance/service mode using one of these methods:
• 🛠️ Method A (preferred): Use a scan tool capable of EPB service mode (specialty).
• 🛠️ Method B: If your Highlander supports it, use the EPB switch “maintenance mode” procedure shown in your owner/service info. If you want, tell me whether your Highlander has the push-button start + electronic parking brake switch (it should), and I’ll tailor the exact button sequence.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen rear lug nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts about 1/2 turn (do not remove yet).

Step 2: Lift and support the rear

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear of your Highlander at the correct rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear support points and lower onto the stands.
• Give the vehicle a firm shake to confirm it’s stable.

Step 3: Remove the rear wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to remove lug nuts, then remove the wheels.

Step 4: Enter EPB maintenance/service mode

• If using a scan tool: follow the tool menu for EPB Service Mode (sometimes called “Pad Replacement Mode”).
• If using the vehicle switch method: complete the maintenance mode sequence before you touch the caliper.
• Service mode lets the piston retract safely.

Step 5: Remove the rear caliper (pads accessible)

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed for rear; position yourself for access.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and rotor.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord so it’s not pulling on the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads out by hand (use a flathead screwdriver gently if stuck).
• Remove the pad clips/shims from the bracket (this is the thin stainless hardware the pads slide on).
• Clean the bracket pad “tracks” with brake cleaner and a wire brush.

Step 7: Compress the caliper piston

• Place the old inner pad against the piston face.
• Use a disc brake piston compressor tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir level while compressing; use a catch pan underneath in case of spills.
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 8: Install new hardware and pads

• Install new pad clips/shims from the hardware kit into the bracket.
• Apply a thin film of silicone brake lubricant where pads slide on clips (do not get any on pad friction material).
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper

• Set the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install caliper slide pin bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench (10-200 Nm range) to tighten slide pin bolts: Torque to 25 Nm (19 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Repeat on the other rear side

• Repeat Steps 5–9 on the opposite rear wheel.
• Always replace pads in pairs.

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Use a 21mm socket and torque wrench to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern: Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• With the vehicle on the ground, press the brake pedal slowly 10–15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pads).
• Exit EPB maintenance mode using your scan tool or the vehicle switch method you used to enter it.
• Apply and release the electronic parking brake a few times to confirm normal operation.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test drive at low speed first; verify no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.
• Bed-in the pads with several gentle stops from 30–10 mph, allowing cool-down between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$550 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$150 (parts only)

You Save: $200-$450 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.