How Do I Replace a 2006 Toyota 4Runner's Brake Pads?

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner comes equipped with all-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes as a standard safety feature. Toyota recommends replacing the brake pads every 40,000 miles to ensure that the pad material is sufficient to slow and stop the vehicle as designed. Worn brake pads cannot handle the heat and stress generated during braking. Replace the pads when the wear indicators begin to scrape against the brake rotor to eliminate the risk of brake failure.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel for the brake pads you intend to replace with a tire iron or 17 mm socket and breaker bar. Place a jack under the frame near the wheel well and lift the 4Runner's tires off the ground. Place jack stands under the axles and lower the vehicle onto the stands.

2

Remove the lug nuts and take the wheel off. Remove the caliper slide bolts/pins with a 13 mm socket wrench. The bolts are located on the back side of the caliper, near the outer edge. Lift the caliper from the rotor and rest it on top of the steering arm above the wheel hub.

3

Pull the brake pads from the slots of the caliper bracket. The two pads sit inside the caliper bracket slots on either side of the brake rotor. Inspect the rotor for warping or heavy scoring. Badly scored rotors will erode new brake pads prematurely. Warped rotors should be replaced immediately.

4

Apply copper-based brake grease (anti-squeal compound) on the back sides of the new brake pads. Insert the new pads into the slots of the caliper bracket.

5

Place a C-clamp over the caliper piston and the back side of the caliper. The piston is responsible for squeezing the brake pads against the rotor during braking. The piston will be further extended due to the thinner brake pads that require replacement. Thicker, new brake pads need room so screw the C-clamp handle to force open the piston. Remove the clamp once the piston is fully depressed within the side of the caliper.

6

Position the caliper back over the brake pads and rotor. Screw in the caliper bolts with the 13 mm wrench. Reinstall the wheel onto the wheel hub and screw on the lug nuts by hand. Lift the 4Runner with the jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the lug nuts with the tire iron or socket and breaker bar.

7

Repeat Steps 2 through 6 for each additional set of brake pads you need to replace.

8

Start the Toyota's engine. Pump the brake pedal repeatedly until the pedal response returns to normal.

9

Remove the master cylinder cap which is to the right of the 4Runner's engine. Check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir. Fill the container, as necessary, with a funnel and DOT-3 brake fluid. Remove the funnel and replace the cap once the master cylinder is full. Close the 4Runner's hood.