How to Replace Brakes on a 2005 Lexus ES330

The brakes on the 2005 Lexus ES330 are a wear item that should be checked during every inspection. If the brakes are not changed in time, the semi-metallic material can completely wear away, leaving bare metal. This metal surface can damage the rotor by etching grooves into the rotor's surface. Replacing the brakes is a relatively straightforward task you can complete in under an hour, in most cases.

Instructions

1

Park your Lexus ES330 on a flat, level spot. Open the hood and locate the brake master cylinder reservoir near the firewall on the driver's side. Use a turkey baster to siphon one-third of the brake fluid in the reservoir. Place the fluid in a sealable container and dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner.

2

Use a lug wrench to loosen the wheel lugs on all wheels. Use a floor jack to raise the vehicle. Set the vehicle on jack stands placed underneath the vehicle's jack support areas. Finish removing the wheel lugs and pull the front wheels off the vehicle.

3

Remove the two retaining bolts holding the caliper to the rotor with a socket wrench. Pull the caliper off the rotor and suspend it from the frame with mechanic's wire. Detach the old brake pads from the caliper.

4

Place an old brake pad over the caliper piston and attach a C-clamp between the piston and the back of the brake caliper. Tighten the C-clamp to push the piston back inside of the caliper.

5

Remove the metal shims from the old brake pads and clip them onto the new brake pads. Place the new brake pads into the caliper and place the caliper back over the rotor. Reattach the two retaining bolts to the caliper and tighten them with a socket wrench. Repeat the procedure on the other front tire, and on the rear brakes, if necessary.

6

Mount the wheels onto the vehicle and hand-tighten the wheel lugs. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground. Tighten the wheel lugs to 76 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

7

Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir with DOT 3 brake fluid until the fluid level reaches the "MAX" fill line. Close the cap on the reservoir and close the hood.