🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

The rear brake pads and rotors on your Prius can be replaced at home with basic hand tools. Since this hybrid uses a rear disc brake setup, the key is safely releasing the parking brake, compressing the rear caliper piston evenly, and torquing everything correctly when reassembled.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Make sure the parking brake is fully released before removing the rear calipers.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Use jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Wear safety glasses and gloves. Brake dust can be irritating.
• Let the brakes cool first if the car was just driven.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (2)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug wrench or socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or disc brake piston compressor
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord or brake caliper hanger
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake before lifting.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before raising the car.
• Release the parking brake before removing the rear wheels.
• If the brake fluid reservoir is very full, watch the level while compressing the caliper piston.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear of the car

• Use a floor jack to raise the rear of your Prius at the proper lift point.
• Set the car on jack stands before working underneath or removing the wheels.
• Remove the rear wheels with a 21mm lug wrench or socket.
• Keep the front wheels chocked.

Step 2: Remove the rear caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord or brake caliper hanger.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 3: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque on installation: 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs)

Step 4: Remove the old rotor

• Remove any rotor retaining screw if equipped using a Phillips screwdriver or flat blade screwdriver.
• Pull the rotor off the hub. If it is stuck, tap it gently from behind with a soft mallet.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• A clean hub helps prevent brake pulsation.

Step 5: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner and wipe it dry.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub and install the retaining screw if used.
• Make sure the rotor sits flush on the hub.

Step 6: Replace the pads and hardware

• Remove the old pads from the bracket.
• Install the new hardware clips from the brake hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and slide surfaces.
• Do not get grease on the pad friction material or rotor face.

Step 7: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or disc brake piston compressor to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Compress it evenly and stop if it binds.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir while compressing.
• Go slow to avoid damaging the seals.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper bracket and caliper

• Reinstall the caliper bracket using the 17mm socket.
• Torque the bracket bolts to 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs).
• Install the new pads and then reinstall the caliper using the 14mm socket.
• Torque the slide bolts to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Lower the car and torque the lug nuts with a torque wrench.
• Torque the lug nuts to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the rear pads and rotors on the opposite side too.
• Always do brake work in pairs.

---

✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before driving to seat the pads against the rotors.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for unusual noises and recheck lug nut torque after a short drive.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops unless needed for safety.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $180-$360 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$490 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 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.