🔧 Rear Brakes & Rotors - Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your RAV4. The rear calipers use an electronic parking brake, so the parking brake system must be handled correctly before pushing the caliper pistons back.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your RAV4 has an electronic parking brake, also called EPB. Do not force the rear caliper piston back unless the EPB actuator has been retracted or removed correctly.
• ⚠️ Work on level ground only. Support the vehicle with jack stands before removing wheels.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose. Support it with a bungee cord or wire.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can irritate lungs and skin. Wear safety glasses, gloves, and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required, but keep the ignition OFF unless a step specifically says otherwise.

---

🔧 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
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• 17mm socket
• 6mm Allen socket
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Brake caliper piston compressor (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Small rubber mallet
• M8 x 1.25 bolts
• 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
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your RAV4 on level ground and place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Make sure the electronic parking brake is released before lifting the vehicle.
• Turn the ignition OFF and keep the key away from the vehicle while working.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level. If it is near MAX, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool so it does not overflow when pistons are compressed.
• If you have a scan tool with Toyota EPB service mode, use it to retract the rear parking brake before removing the calipers.
• If you do not have a scan tool, use the manual EPB motor removal method below. This is slower but works when done carefully.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Do not remove the nuts yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear of your RAV4 at the rear center lift point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear side pinch weld support areas.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and give the vehicle a light shake to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Retract the Electronic Parking Brake

• If using a scan tool, connect it and select the Toyota electronic parking brake service/rear brake pad replacement function.
• Follow the scan tool prompts until the rear EPB motors are fully retracted.
• If not using a scan tool, unplug the EPB motor electrical connector on the back of the rear caliper using a flathead screwdriver only to gently release the lock tab.
• Use a 6mm Allen socket to remove the EPB motor mounting bolts from the back of the caliper.
• Carefully remove the EPB motor and set it aside. Do not pull on the wiring.
• Use a needle-nose pliers or suitable driver to rotate the exposed parking brake screw clockwise until it stops lightly.
• Light pressure only. Do not force it.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with a 17mm wrench while removing the bolt with the 14mm socket.
• Lift the caliper off the brake pads.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using a bungee cord.
• Do not let the caliper hang from the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use your hands or a flathead screwdriver to remove the old rear brake pads from the caliper bracket.
• Use the flathead screwdriver to remove the old metal pad clips from the bracket.
• These clips are called abutment clips. They guide the brake pads so they can slide smoothly.

Step 7: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use a 17mm socket and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the rear knuckle.
• Set the bolts aside in a clean place.

Step 8: Remove the Old Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub by hand.
• If it is stuck, thread two M8 x 1.25 bolts into the small threaded holes in the rotor face.
• Tighten each bolt evenly with a ratchet 3/8-inch drive until the rotor pops loose.
• If needed, tap around the rotor hat with a small rubber mallet.
• Tap the center area, not the braking surface.

Step 9: Clean the Hub Surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the wheel hub face.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray and wipe it with shop towels.
• A clean hub helps prevent brake pedal vibration.

Step 10: Install the New Rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and wipe dry with shop towels.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• Install one lug nut by hand to hold the rotor flat while you work.

Step 11: Service the Caliper Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new rear brake hardware clips by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad contact points on the clips.
• Do not put grease on the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Place the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Install the bracket bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 17mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs)

Step 13: Install the New Brake Pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the metal backing plate ears where they touch the clips.
• Install the inner and outer rear brake pads into the bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads slide smoothly in the clips.
• Pads should move freely, not jam.

Step 14: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use a brake caliper piston compressor (specialty) to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper bore.
• A caliper piston compressor is a tool that pushes the piston in evenly so the caliper fits over new thicker pads.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston so it does not overflow.
• Do not twist the piston with force on this EPB-style caliper.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Install the slide pin bolts by hand first.
• Use a 14mm socket to tighten the slide pin bolts while holding the pin with a 17mm wrench if needed.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Step 16: Reinstall the EPB Motor

• If the EPB motor was removed, carefully align it on the back of the caliper.
• Install the EPB motor bolts by hand.
• Use a 6mm Allen socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the EPB motor bolts snugly.
• Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs)
• Reconnect the EPB electrical connector until it clicks.

Step 17: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 16 on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace rear pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 18: Reinstall the Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor.
• Install both rear wheels.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 19: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to raise the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Lower the vehicle until the tires touch the ground.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs)

Step 20: Restore Brake Pedal and EPB Operation

• Before driving, press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Apply and release the electronic parking brake switch several times.
• If a warning light remains, use a scan tool to run the Toyota EPB initialization/service mode exit function.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and set it between MIN and MAX.
• ✅ Start your RAV4 and confirm the brake pedal feels firm before shifting out of Park.
• ✅ Test the electronic parking brake. It should apply and release normally without warning messages.
• ✅ Road test at low speed first. Confirm smooth stopping and no grinding, scraping, or pulling.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with 8-10 gentle stops from about 30 mph down to 5 mph. Let brakes cool between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$370 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 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.