How to Change the Rear Brake Pads on a Toyota Camry

Brake pads are an important part of your Toyota Camry's braking system. They are the replaceable friction pads that pinch the brake disc or drum when the brakes are applied. You should replace the brake pads before they wear beyond a quarter inch or risk damaging your Camry's brake discs.

Instructions

Park your car on a level surface. If you have a stick shift car make sure the car is in gear. Place blocks in front of the front tires so the car does not move while you are working on it.

Open the hood of your car and locate the master cylinder If necessary, remove brake fluid until the level in the container is less than half full. A turkey baster is a good tool for this. Put the brake fluid in the plastic container and dispose of it the way you dispose of motor oil.

Raise the rear end of your car with your car jack. Remove the rear tire or wheel assembly.

Use the socket wrench to remove the caliper mounting bolts. Slide the caliper off of the disc rotor and hang it in the wheel well with a small bungee cord or wire hanger. Do not let the caliper hang from the brake hose.

Remove the brake pads from the caliper. Also remove any shims, springs, wear indicators and support plates from the caliper.

Return the support plates to the caliper bracket. Place the wear indicators from the old brake pads on the new brake pads making sure the arrow on the indicator plate points in the direction the tire rotates. Place the shims on the outside of each brake pad and insert the pads into the caliper bracket.

Use the recommended piston caliper tool to turn the caliper piston clockwise while pressing it into the caliper bore. Place the caliper over the brake pads. Insert and tighten the caliper mounting bolts.

Replace the wheel assembly (tire). Lower the car to the ground.

Pump the brake pedal a few times to seat the brake pads. Do this before trying to move your car.

Add fluid to the master cylinder container to replace any you removed before you removed the old brake pads.

Season the brake pads by making only gentle stops when you are driving for the first week after you install the new brake pads. Try not to do any hard stopping when you are seasoning the brakes.