Rotor Replacement Instructions for a 2003 Toyota Highlander

One of the most important maintenance tasks to perform on your Toyota Highlander is to inspect the brake rotors on a regular basis. At a minimum, you should look them over carefully each time you replace the brake pads. Look for damage to the surface of the brake rotor on not only the front but the back as well. Bad rotors could cause your brakes to fail. They need to be smooth with no warping. If you have never done this type of repair before, you can expect it to take about 30 minutes for each wheel.

• 1

  Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires. Raise the Highlander with an automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the vehicle near the jacking point and raise it to the frame.

• 2

  Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench and pull the wheel off the Highlander.

• 3

  Loosen the caliper mounting bolts with a socket and ratchet. Secure the caliper to the strut with a wire tie. Do not leave the caliper hanging loose or you will damage the brake lines.

• 4

  Pull the brake rotor off the wheel assembly and put the new one on. Cut the wire tie holding the caliper to the strut with a pair of pliers. Place the brake caliper back onto the mounting bracket and tighten the bolts with the socket and ratchet.

• 5

  Remount the wheel on the Highlander and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the vehicle. Lower the Toyota to the ground. Repeat the process on the other wheel.