How to Replace the Brake Pads on a 2003 Toyota 4Runner

Changing the brake pads on a 2003 Toyota 4Runner can be done in about an hour if the Torx bolts are not rusted on. If the bolts are rusted on, you can spray them with some lubricant and use a little elbow grease to get them off. Aside from potentially rusted-on bolts, changing the brake pads on your 4Runner is not a daunting task and will save you money in the process.

• 1

  Turn off the ignition and set the emergency brake. Raise your 4Runner with a jack and set it on jack stands. Use a lug wrench to remove the lug nuts from around the center of the front right tire then pull it off. Spray the brake assembly with brake cleaner.

• 2

  Use a Torx wrench to remove the two Torx bolts on the back of the caliper. Pull the caliper up and off of the rotor and position it so that it is not hanging from the brake line.

• 3

  Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper. The pads should come out easily; if they don't, pry them out with a flat head screwdriver.

• 4

  Place an old pad on the piston inside the caliper. Place a C-clamp on the caliper so that one side is on the brake pad and the other side is on the back of the caliper. Tighten the C-clamp to push the piston back into the caliper. When the piston is all the way back into the caliper, remove the C-clamp and brake pad.

• 5

  Mount the new brake pads where the old pads were located. Lube all of the moving parts of the caliper with brake lube and replace the caliper. Tighten the Torx bolts on the back of the caliper.

• 6

  Repeat these steps for the other side of the 4Runner.

• 7

  Remount the wheels back onto the hubs and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Use the jack to raise the vehicle off the jack stands. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground.