05 Limited AWD V8 change brake pads (never done myself)

[maw4bc]

So I have never changed brake pads myself. I have done a little bit of research on what to do and how to do them. Though I haven't found anything about the AWD versions of the '05 4Runner. Is there anything different that I need to know about?

Also, how will I know if I need to change the rotors as well?

I hardly do anything myself when it comes to my vehicle so sorry for the newbie questions.

Mike

 

[MikeInNH]

A vehicle with AWD will have the same brake setup as one without.

Usually Rotors need to be replaced for two reasons (Scaring or warping).

Scaring you can tell. It will be very visible. This is usually caused by the pad material being worn away and you are braking metal to metal.

Warping is almost impossible to tell by just looking at them. On many vehicles you know the rotors are warped if you get a pulsating feel when ever you press on the brakes. However with this vehicle..that symptom could also mean a stuck caliper.

 

[maw4bc]

Thanks for the info! This might sound stupid but do i need to change the pads on the front and back?

 

[ryangab]

I actually was attempting my brakes this weekend. I have the same 4 runner as you and it's VERY EASY, however, think I have a frozen caliper. I cannot get the inside driver side piston to push back to install the new pads. If you don't run into any problems like I did with a frozen caliper it should take about 15 min per side. This was my first time doing brakes also and I was surprised how easy it was (minus the caliper issue)
. GOOD LUCK!

 

[maw4bc]

I actually was attempting my brakes this weekend. I have the same 4 runner as you and it's VERY EASY, however, think I have a frozen caliper. I cannot get the inside driver side piston to push back to install the new pads. If you don't run into any problems like I did with a frozen caliper it should take about 15 min per side. This was my first time doing brakes also and I was surprised how easy it was (minus the caliper issue)
. GOOD LUCK!

Do you have a good guide that you followed?

I have watched this video a few times, is our vehicle the same?:
2007 4Runner SR5 V6 Front Brake Job - YouTube

Also were you just changing the front or all of them?

 

[ryangab]

Do you have a good guide that you followed?

I have watched this video a few times, is our vehicle the same?:
2007 4Runner SR5 V6 Front Brake Job - YouTube

Also were you just changing the front or all of them?

I watched the same video and just did a little searching on this site but it really is SUPER easy. Just a little tip to help you push the caliper piston in easier, take of the lid to the brake fluid under your hood. I relieves the pressure and makes it easier. I had one pad out in less than 2 min. The other one was stuck. Also, I was just doing my fronts since those wear out faster than the rear.

 

[maw4bc]

I watched the same video and just did a little searching on this site but it really is SUPER easy.

On the video he did the rotor as well. So if I am doing just the brake pads all i need to do is pop them out then pop in the new ones correct? Can basically stop at the 3:00 mark?

 

[ryangab]

you got it! Its that easy.

 

[MidwestT4R]

You may want to try and figure out the casting of the front caliper on your 4runner. Then see if any local parts stores have it in stock.

I say this because this site is full of people talking about how they got their front brakes apart and found out that one or both of the front calipers was frozen. Calling around on a weekend after it's all apart is a real drag. Find out who has the spares in stock and then have at the brakes. If, by chance, you need calipers you won't end up dialing around and potentially finding out that nobody close has them in stock.

This happened to me when I did my front brakes for the first time and it made the job much harder having to drive a long way to get the calipers as nobody close had them in stock.

 

[maw4bc]

So it actually took way longer than I wanted it to because the c clamp that I used was too big and made it really hard. Luckily the neighbor came home and he had a smaller one which made it way easier. Overall was a pretty easy. Now that I know to use a smaller c clamp!