🔧 4Runner - Rear Brake Pads & Rotors Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, unbolt the caliper and bracket, replace the pads and rotors, then reassemble with the correct torque. Your 4Runner uses a drum-in-hat parking brake inside the rear rotor, so the parking brake must be released and the shoe adjuster may need backing off to remove the rotor.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on level ground; chock the front wheels.
• 🛑 Use jack stands; never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• 🛑 Parking brake must be fully released before rotor removal.
• 🛑 Support the caliper with a hanger strap; don’t stress the brake hose.
• 🛑 Wear safety glasses and avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner.

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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
• Ratchet (3/8")
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (10-200 ft-lbs range)
• C-clamp (6")
• Brake caliper hanger strap
• Flathead screwdriver
• Rubber mallet
• M8 x 1.25 bolts (30-40mm long)
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaner
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Rear brake pad hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• High-temp anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Set the transmission in Park, engine off, and chock both front wheels.
• Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• Break the rear lug nuts loose 1/2 turn before lifting.
• “Brake caliper hanger” is a strap to hold the caliper.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise the rear and remove wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar (1/2") to loosen lug nuts.
• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and set it on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove both rear wheels using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off and hang it using a brake caliper hanger strap.
• Do not twist or pull the hose.

Step 3: Remove pads and hardware

• Pull the pads out by hand.
• Remove the pad clips/hardware using a flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the bracket pad contact areas with a wire brush and brake parts cleaner.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar (1/2") to remove the two bracket bolts.
• During reassembly: Torque to 123 Nm (91 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the rotor (parking brake is inside)

• Try pulling the rotor straight off. If stuck, tap the hat with a rubber mallet.
• If still stuck, thread two M8 x 1.25 bolts (30-40mm long) into the rotor jacking holes and tighten evenly with a ratchet (3/8") until the rotor breaks free.
• If the rotor feels “caught,” back off the parking brake adjuster a few clicks using a flathead screwdriver (through the access slot behind the rotor area), then remove the rotor.

Step 6: Prep the hub and install the new rotor

• Clean the hub face with a wire brush until it’s smooth.
• Apply a thin film of high-temp anti-seize compound to the hub center (keep it off studs and braking surfaces).
• Install the new rotor.

Step 7: Set parking brake shoe clearance (basic)

• Spin the rotor by hand.
• Adjust the star wheel with a flathead screwdriver so you get very light, even drag, then back off slightly so it spins freely.

Step 8: Reinstall bracket and service slide pins

• Reinstall the bracket bolts using a 17mm socket.
• Tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 123 Nm (91 ft-lbs).
• Remove slide pins one at a time, wipe with shop towels, and apply brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone).
• Slide pins should move smoothly.

Step 9: Install new hardware and pads

• Install new pad clips/hardware on the bracket by hand (use a flathead screwdriver only if needed).
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 10: Compress piston and reinstall caliper

• Use a C-clamp (6") to slowly push the caliper piston back in.
• Reinstall the caliper over the pads.
• Install slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket.
• Tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Install wheels and hand-start lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten in a star pattern with a torque wrench: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat the same steps on the opposite rear wheel.
• Replace pads and rotors on both rear wheels.

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it’s firm before moving the 4Runner.
• Check brake fluid level and correct it if needed (do not overfill).
• Test drive at low speed first; listen for grinding and confirm normal braking.
• Bed-in pads: 6-10 moderate stops from about 35 to 5 mph with cool-down time between stops.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$420 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$430 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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