How to Replace Front Brakes on a 2005 Toyota 4Runner

The brake pads on your vehicle need changing every 60,000 to 80,000 miles or as soon as you hear them grinding. Changing the brakes on the 2005 Toyota 4Runner is different from other vehicles. The truck uses fixed calipers on the front wheels that can't be removed from the brake disc, so you have to remove and replace the pads with the caliper still connected.

Instructions

Preparation

1

Remove two-thirds of the brake fluid from the brake master cylinder in the engine using a syringe or turkey baster that has never been used for anything else. Make sure you know your local laws for how to dispose of it.

2

Raise the front end of the truck, support it on jack stands and remove the front wheels. It will help to loosen the lug nuts with the tire iron before you raise the vehicle.

3

Apply an aerosol brake cleaner to the entire brake assembly to remove all dust; use a drain pan underneath to catch the residue.

Changing the Pads

4

Remove the small clips holding the brake pads' upper and lower retaining pins in place using needle-nose pliers. Remove the anti-rattle spring from the brake-pad plate using the same pliers.

5

Pull the lower and upper pins from the brake caliper.

6

Squeeze the outer brake pad against the caliper at the pad's top and bottom ends to compress the pistons into their bores--use vice-grip pliers for this task--and then pull the outer pad out of the caliper.

7

Push the caliper pistons all the way into their bores using the vinyl-covered handles of pliers or two screwdrivers wrapped in tape. Clean off the upper and lower contact surfaces in the caliper with a small brush.

8

Lubricate the back of the new brake pad with high-temperature grease and connect an anti-squeal shim to it. Install the outer pad into the caliper.

9

Repeat steps 3 through 5 for replacing the inner brake pad in the caliper.

10

Re-install the upper and lower retaining pins to the caliper; place the anti-rattle spring in position before you install the lower pin. Install the pins' clips using the pliers with the clips' handle ends pointing away from the caliper.

11

Reconnect the wheels and lower the truck after changing the brakes for both wheels. Fill the master-cylinder reservoir with fresh brake fluid.