4th Gen 4Runner Rear Brake Rotor and Pad DIY
- Thread starter HokieRunner
- Start date
Atlanta_man
New member
Photobucket.com used to host the pictures for free. Now they want $399/year to turn them back on. Billions of photos down the drain recently...
sockeyesalmon
Member
big thanks OP !!!!
followed instruction to a tee.
followed instruction to a tee.
I am having trouble locating the adjuster star. I have the rotor are 6 and 12 but cant seem to locate the adjuster star. Using a flash light I cant see where this is. I can poke around with a screwdriver but am not sure what to adjust down to loosen the parking brake. Any suggestions?
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Maybe this video will help you a little, this is the guy's first time adjusting the star wheel for the parking brakes but it should give you the general idea of where to look/feel for the wheel and which direction to turn the star wheel, it's in there so don't give up!!
https://youtu.be/6YctXVZB8_E
Thanks for the link. I was able to find it after some more poking around. I found that you can almost hear/feel it better than see trying to see it.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
The PDF only shows removal process and not the reinstall process and thusly no torque values.
Benny123
New member
Look again, torque values are there.
SeniorCypress80
New member
nice DIY!
AuSeeker
Elite Member
I didn't see them in any of the text but now see that the values are in the retangle boxes in the exploded diagram.
thanks
fatalhashbrown
New member
Thanks for the write up! I found this while in the midst of taking everything off. The tip to turn the e-brake adjustment screw DOWNWARD was the key detail I had been looking for. I had turned them upward and was trying to figure out why I was having such a hard time getting the rotors off. Hats off! Thanks for the tips.
digi
New member
Just wanted to say thanks for this guide.
Quick question regarding " Don't forget the high temp grease on the back of the pads."
I've only put dielectric grease on the 17mm bolts, never anywhere on the back of the pads. Do I really need to grease the pads too? I'm assuming that's where the edge of the pad meets the brake hardware pieces?
Quick question regarding " Don't forget the high temp grease on the back of the pads."
I've only put dielectric grease on the 17mm bolts, never anywhere on the back of the pads. Do I really need to grease the pads too? I'm assuming that's where the edge of the pad meets the brake hardware pieces?
Your new pads should come with a little packet of brake grease. Put it on the back of the pads, and on any point where the sides of the pads touch the caliper/bracket or hardware pieces. It helps keep the brakes from making noise when you use them.
jewski_brewski
New member
Thanks for this thread. I just got new tires installed and noticed a very loud noise coming from the rear. I took it back to the tire shop and after looking at it, the tech thought there was an issue with my parking brake and recommended I take it to a dealership as he couldn't fix it. So I took it to a dealership, who told me the noise is from my rear rotors. Apparently the bolt holes in my aftermarket rotors are too big for the wheel studs that when they are bolted on and not centered, they make the loud noise I've been hearing. The stealership told me they could replace the rotors for $400, so I guess I'm replacing them myself. Has anyone heard of this issue? Seems weird to me since all 4th Gen 4Runners share the same size rear rotor so I don't know how the wrong ones could've been installed.
Also, does the parking brake adjustment need to be done to remove the rotors if the parking brake is not engaged?
Also, does the parking brake adjustment need to be done to remove the rotors if the parking brake is not engaged?
AuSeeker
Elite Member
A previous owner put 5th gen rotors on the rear of your T4R, the 5th Gen rotors have a slightly larger center hole which when installed on a 4th Gen allows the rotor to many times be off centered which causes the parking brake shoes to drag inside the hub.
Be sure to get 4th gen rear rotors and you'll have no more issues.
Yes you will have to use the star wheel on the adjuster to back off the parking brake shoe to remove the rotors or you risk damaging the parking brake shoe mounting hardware, and then readjust the shoes after installing the correct rotors
jewski_brewski
New member
Thanks so much for the info, that makes sense! My correct rotors were delivered today and I'll be installing them tomorrow!
Great post. Following for future reference.I've seen many requests and questions for how to swap out the rear rotors so I snapped some pics when I did mine today.
I won't really delve into the pads because Joel @ Toyota120.com already did a good writeup. Replacing rear pads
Tools:
- 17mm socket
- Small flat head screwdriver
- 2 8mmx1.25 bolts
- hammer
- torque wrench
- floor jack
- 2x jack stands
- brake cleaner
- brake grease
- bungee cord
1. Jack up the truck (I used the rear axle housing as the jack point) and place 2 jack stands under the axle. Take off the wheels.
2. Using the 17mm socket, remove the brake calipers and hang them above the axle so you don't stress the brake lines. Using the same 17mm socket, unbolt the brake caliper bracket.
3. There are 2 holes in the rear rotors. Align the holes at 12 and 6 o'clock. Before trying to remove the rotors, you'll need to back off the parking brake shoes using the star adjuster nut. This is located at the 6 o'clock position - use a flashlight and make sure it's lined up correctly so you can fit the small screwdriver through the hole to the adjustment star. Adjust the star downward repeatedly until you're clear of the brake rotor.
4. Now you're ready to separate the rotor from the hub. There should be 2 threaded holes on the rotor. Add a little lubricant to the threads and insert the 2x 8mmx1.25 bolts. Tighten them down several turns working back and forth to pull off the rotor. I put a couple lug nuts on just so it wouldn't fly off when I gave it an extra whack or two with the hammer.
5. Spray down the entire assembly with brake cleaner. Clean up the hub a bit with a wire brush if it's beat up.
6. Slip the new rotor on. It may need a bit of encouragement using lug nuts and/or a rubber mallet.
7. Rebuild the caliper bracket with new pad guides and install the new pads. Don't forget the high temp grease on the back of the pads. Compress the caliper piston and bolt it back on the bracket. Re-grease the slide pins too.
8. Torque the caliper brackets, 17mm bolts to 77 ft/lbs.
Torque the caliper slide pin, 17mm bolts to 65 ft/lbs.
9. Now it's time to re-adjust the parking brake. Same as before, align the hole at 6 o'clock and using the small screwdriver, adjust the star wheel UPWARD until it tightens down. Then back it off a turn or so.
10. Re-install the wheel, throw on the lugs, get it back on the ground and torque the lug nuts.
11. Now go break in the new pads and enjoy your silent and smooth brakes!
