02 Camry SE rear brake pads replacement - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

renatog · 05-17-2010, 10:52 AM

I'm replacing the rear brake pads on my japanese made 2002 Toyota Camry SE. I'm having trouble trying to close the caliper (two "bolts" bold the caliper in place but the top bolt is not removable, so it pivots on that top bolt). It appears that the brake pads are too thick but that doesn't make sense. To my knowledge, that top bolt should allow the caliper to move side to side so that it compresses the pads to the rotor, but apparently it's not happening that way. I've already used a c-clamp to compress the caliper's piston and even tried compressing the top pivoting section to see if it might be stuck but it barely moves. The caliper is clips the outer pad by about a millimeter and won't close because of it. The inner pad has enough clearance though since the piston is compressed all the way in. The Haynes shop manual doesn't give any insight either.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

somick · 05-17-2010, 11:03 AM

I have not seen your car's exact model but from the previous experience:

1. Make sure piston is flush with the caliper's body.

2. Caliper should freely slide on the pin, so wiggle it back and forth to get it properly sitted.

3. Make sure pads are sitting well: they should touch the rotor's surface and be parallel to it.

Good luck,

Sam

renatog · 05-17-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semyonlibman

I have not seen your car's exact model but from the previous experience:

1. Make sure piston is flush with the caliper's body.

It's all the way in, and as I said, that's not where the caliper is clipping, it's the outer pad area that is the problem.

Quote:

2. Caliper should freely slide on the pin, so wiggle it back and forth to get it properly sitted.

That's what I think the problem is. It doesn't slide side to side, I had to mallet the damn thing open to even be able to get to the pads.

Quote:

3. Make sure pads are sitting well: they should touch the rotor's surface and be parallel to it.

Yup, done that.

Quote:

Good luck,

Sam

Thanks

vvti-me · 05-17-2010, 11:12 AM

just as semy has said, follow those steps. i work on those all day at my work and i have an 03 se as well. you are correct about the bolts not coming out just make sure the pads sit in there well. if the pads are too thick you can sand them down i mean this by putting a piece of sand paper on the floor and giving it like four good rubs against it and perhaps itll make it easier. also make sure your rotors are not uneven. make sure they aren't too glazed as well. just take a little wiggling and umph to get them in there just make sure the piston is compressed and the pads are sitting in there really good.
p.s. if you decided to loosen the bleeder valve to make the piston easier to compress, be sure to bleed the brakes to have a solid brake pedal.

good luck!

somick · 05-17-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renatog

It doesn't slide side to side, I had to mallet the damn thing open to even be able to get to the pads.

Thanks

I think you found the problem!

I would remove the caliper assembly from the top bolt. Clean it from rust. Lubricate.

Good luck,

Sam

renatog · 05-17-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vvti-me

just as semy has said, follow those steps. i work on those all day at my work and i have an 03 se as well. you are correct about the bolts not coming out just make sure the pads sit in there well.

The caliper should move side to side, no? Is there a way to remove the caliper from the disc mount (not the entire caliper itself)? That pivot bolt is really tight and I can't see a way to remove it. I was able to rubber-mallet that thing open then after moving it quite a few times up and down it moved freely enough for me to remove the inner and outer pads.

renatog · 05-17-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semyonlibman

I think you found the problem!

I would remove the caliper assembly from the top bolt. Clean it from rust. Lubricate.

There is no top bolt! That's what's so frustrating, it just pivots on this 'top bolt' that isn't removable, or at least I don't think it is...

somick · 05-17-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renatog

There is no top bolt! That's what's so frustrating, it just pivots on this 'top bolt' that isn't removable, or at least I don't think it is...

I have encountered the similar problem with my son’s Pilot’s rear brake. The slide pin is pressed into the brake bracket. And the bolt that holds the caliper is threaded into the pin.

There got to be a way to removing it!

Have you looked into FSM at www.camrystuff.com?