Toyota uses "knock-off" rotors on all their front-wheel drive cars, and began using them on their four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs in 1995. This allows the rotors to be removed from the hubs once the brake calipers and support plates are removed from the integral knuckle. By contrast, special tools and a strong background in mechanical knowledge are necessary to remove rotors on the older style Toyota trucks and SUVs.
Instructions
- 1
Place the tire wedging block against the outside tread of a tire on the opposite axle from which you're removing the brake disc/rotor from the hub, then apply the parking brake (for front discs/rotors removal only).
2Use the breaker bar and a 21-mm socket to crack the lug nuts loose on the tire(s) you're removing the disc(s)/rotor(s) from.
3Hoist the Toyota up with the jack and support it onto the jack stand(s). You can do one side at a time or raise the entire axle if desired.
4Remove the lug nuts and tire.
5Compress the caliper piston(s) with the C-clamp or quad caliper piston tool until you have about a 1/2-inch of free-play in the caliper/pad assembly. Remove the clamp or tool.
6Loosen the two caliper bridge bolts with the breaker bar and an 18-mm socket. Once the bolts are loose switch the breaker bar over to the ratchet to remove the bolts. Do not mix the caliper bridge bolts from the caliper bolts. Removing the bridge bolts will allow you to remove the caliper and the bridge assembled to save time. If you're replacing pads, remove the caliper from the bridge first.
7Hang the caliper/bridge assembly to a suspension or chassis component from the caliper hook to protect the rubber brake hose attached to the caliper. Make sure there is no tension on the hose.
8Try to remove the disc/rotor by hand first. In some instances, the disc/rotor will come off the hub. Commonly, rust and other corrosion cause the disc/rotor to stick to the hub. If the disc/rotor does not come off, spray penetrating oil in the two small screw holes on the hub face plate of the disc/rotor. Spray more penetrating oil around the circumference of the hub-to-disc/rotor mating surface. Allow 5 minutes for the penetrating oil to soak in.
9Screw the two 2-inch by 8-mm by 1.25-mm pitch bolts into the disc/rotor hub face until they bottom out against the hub. Tighten one screw two times, then alternate to the other screw using the ratchet and a suitable socket. Continue tightening in this manner until the disc/rotor breaks free from the hub. Repeat for the disc/rotor on the other side if necessary.
