How to Replace the Front Brake Rotors in the 2007 Toyota Sienna

Prior to the release of the Sienna in 1998, Toyota tossed its hat into the minivan ring twice. The first attempt was the delivery-truck-based "Toyota Van," and the second was the advanced-for-its-era Previa. Neither van sold well; hence, the release of the Sienna. The 2007 Sienna received a bump in horsepower and engine size, increasing from a 215-horsepower, 3.3-liter V-6, in 2006, to a 266-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6. The 2007 Sienna's front brakes are of the disc variety, and periodic replacement of the rotor is required. This is not a difficult task, however, for the do-it-yourself mechanic to complete.

Instructions

1

Unscrew the lid from the master cylinder reservoir, and remove about half the brake fluid from the reservoir with a clean turkey baster. Put this fluid into a small container.

2

Loosen, but don't remove, the front lug nuts with a ratchet and socket. Raise the front of the Sienna from the ground, using a floor jack, and slide jack stands under the vehicle's subframe. Lower the Sienna onto the jack stands.

3

Remove the front lug nuts and pull the front wheels off the van.

4

Place an 8-inch C-clamp over the caliper. Position the clamp so its fixed side touches the rear of the caliper and its screw part touches the outside of the outer brake pad. Tighten the C-clamp until it stops tightening -- this compresses the caliper's internal piston. Loosen the C-clamp and remove it from the caliper.

5

Hold the caliper guide pins with a combination wrench, while you remove the caliper bolts with a ratchet and socket. Pull the caliper off its bracket, and hang it from a nearby suspension component with mechanic's wire.

6

Pull the brake pads out of the caliper bracket and discard them. Grab the brake pad support shims -- the thin metal shims above and below the brake pads -- and pull the from the caliper bracket.

7

Remove the two caliper bracket bolts, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the caliper bracket up and off the Sienna's steering knuckle.

8

Unscrew the two rotor-retaining screws, using a Phillips screwdriver. If screws do not loosen easily, lightly tap the head of each screw with a hammer to free it. Pull the rotor from the front hub -- lightly tap the rotor with a rubber mallet if it sticks to the rotor.

9

Set a new rotor on the Sienna's front hub, lining up the screw holes in the rotor with those in the hub. Tighten the rotor-retaining screws.

10

Set the caliper bracket on the Sienna's steering knuckle, and hand-tighten the caliper bracket bolts. Tighten the caliper bolts to 79 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket. Press new pad support shims -- included with the pads -- into the top and bottom of the caliper bracket. The shims can only fit into the bracket in one direction to prevent incorrect installation.

11

Press new anti-squeal shims -- included with the new pads -- onto the rear of the pads until the snap into place. Press new wear indicators -- included with the new pads -- onto the upper ear of both pads positioned so the open part of the wear indicator will face the rotor when you install the pads. Slide the new pads into the caliper bracket.

12

Remove the caliper from the mechanic's wire, and set it on the caliper bracket. Hand-tighten the caliper bolts. Hold the caliper pins steady with a combination wrench, as you tighten the caliper bolts to 25 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

13

Repeat Steps 4 through 12 to replace the brake pads on the other side of the Sienna.

14

Reinstall the front wheel on the Sienna's front hubs, and hand-tighten them. Raise the van off the jack stands, using a floor jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the Toyota to the ground slowly. Tighten the lug nuts -- in a crossing pattern -- to 76 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

15

Press and release the brake pedal until you feel pressure when you press the pedal. Check that the fluid level in the brake master cylinder is at the "Max" line on the reservoir. Add DOT 3 fluid, as needed. Tighten the lid onto the master cylinder reservoir and close the Sienna's hood.