🔧 Front Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

Your Tacoma uses front disc brakes with a floating caliper. You’ll remove the caliper and bracket, replace the pads and rotors, then reassemble and pump the pedal before driving. This is a straightforward brake job if you work cleanly and keep track of the hardware.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Support the truck with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
• If the brake fluid reservoir is full, watch for overflow when compressing the caliper piston.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s wire
• C-clamp or disc brake piston tool
• Flat screwdriver
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a flat surface and put the transmission in Park.
• Chock the rear wheels before lifting the front end.
• Release the parking brake only if needed for vehicle movement; it does not affect front brake service.
• Have the new pads and rotors ready before starting.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the truck

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of the Tacoma at the approved lift point.
• Place jack stands under the frame and lower the truck onto them.
• Remove the front wheels with the 21mm socket.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs) when reinstalling the wheels.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor and hang it with a bungee cord or mechanic’s wire.
• Do not let the brake hose stretch or twist.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs) for the caliper slide bolts at reassembly.

Step 3: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use the 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque to 105 Nm (77 ft-lbs) for the caliper bracket bolts at reassembly.

Step 4: Remove the old rotor

• If the rotor has a retaining screw, remove it with a flat screwdriver.
• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• A stuck rotor usually means rust on the hub.

Step 5: Clean the hub and inspect parts

• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean the hub face.
• Check the caliper slides for smooth movement.
• Inspect the pads, bracket clips, and brake hose for damage.
• Clean hub surfaces help prevent brake pulsation.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If the rotor has a retaining screw, reinstall it lightly.

Step 7: Install new pads and bracket

• Install the new hardware clips from the brake hardware kit into the bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease to the pad contact points and slide surfaces.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket with the 17mm socket.
• Torque to 105 Nm (77 ft-lbs).
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 8: Compress and reinstall the caliper

• Use a C-clamp or disc brake piston tool to slowly push the caliper piston back in.
• Make sure the piston goes in straight and smooth.
• Reinstall the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide bolts with the 14mm socket.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the wheel and repeat on the other side

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts with the 21mm socket.
• Repeat the same steps on the other front wheel.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the truck.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Make sure both front wheels spin freely by hand before lowering completely.
• Do a slow test drive and confirm there is no noise, pulling, or vibration.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops so the new pads can bed in properly.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $400-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $240-$430 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3 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.