Brake Pad/Rotor Change Question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

VorlonBlue · 06-13-2011, 09:03 AM

Has anyone changed their pads and rotors on their 2008+ Highlander yet?

I'd like to do it myself but I was wondering if a thread existed on this specific model, I didn't see any in the HL forum. I've done this on a few different cars but never a Toyota and more specifically a HL.

I had a few questions for someone that has done their brakes..

Any special tools required other than a brake spreader for this job? I have a hammer wrench, all the sockets, etc.

I'm using Permatex Ceramic Brake Lube for the all of the lubing including behind the pads and behind the rotors.

Any major difference between the front brakes/rotors and the rear that I should take into consideration?

Also in case anyone else here is interested in doing it themselves, here's what I'm using for parts:

Front: Akebono ACT1325 ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pad Set
Rear: Akebono ACT1324 ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pad Set

Front: Centric 120.44158 Premium Brake Rotor with E-Coating
Rear: Centric 120.44159 Premium Brake Rotor with E-Coating

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

***TrailDust*** · 06-13-2011, 11:28 AM

Don't know if this will help at all, but I just added a rotor change video to the 1st Gen Highlander DIY sticky thread. Again, I don't know if the 1st Gen would correlate well with the 2nd Gen, but I thought I'd throw it out to you for consideration.

VorlonBlue · 06-13-2011, 11:43 AM

Hi TrailDust, thanks for the info, I'll definitely take a look at it.

HLSport · 06-13-2011, 05:37 PM

You're going to need a special tool to turn in the rear calipers. You can't use a c-clamp.

VorlonBlue · 06-13-2011, 08:50 PM

HLSport, thanks for the heads up. Are you referring to a brake spreader clamp?

HLSport · 06-13-2011, 09:11 PM

This is what it looks like. It's a disc brake piston tool. This one is by Lisle pn#LS28600 and sells for about $10. Any good auto parts store should have it.

VorlonBlue · 06-13-2011, 10:40 PM

HLSport, thanks again! I'm gonna pick one up tomorrow, you saved me from a nasty surprise when I'm doing the rears!

grandpapa · 06-14-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLSport

This is what it looks like. It's a disc brake piston tool. This one is by Lisle pn#LS28600 and sells for about $10. Any good auto parts store should have it.

I change disc before (front) but no idea about this brake piston tool.
what is it for? How does it work

VorlonBlue · 06-14-2011, 12:21 PM

Grandpapa, after looking into the tool HLSport refered to, I looked into the rear brake setup. In the rear there's a self adjusting caliper that's tied into the e-brake. As your pad wears in the back the caliper spirals out slow. When you pull of the old pad, the new thicker pad will not have enough clearance to fit. Thus you need the tool mentioned above to fit into the two indents on the caliper and turn them clockwise until they go back in and allow enough room for the new pads to fit.

In the front a C or G style clamp works, so does a brake clamp but the rear requires a different approach as it needs to be rotated to retract instead of just pushed back like the front.

I hope this clarifies it for you, I just had a crash course in this thanks to HLSport.

HLSport · 06-14-2011, 05:22 PM

Well said VorlonBlue. How does that saying goes; Now the student becomes the teacher.

shellback · 06-14-2011, 05:41 PM

That brake caliper sounds like it is similar to the 1st generation Saab 900 brakes. there were 4 holes in the brake piston that are used to turn the rotating part of the brake piston. I made a spanner for my older saab by using a piece of flat stock about 1/8"x 1" x 10" I drilled and tapped 2 holes for 10-32 screws spaced at the same spacing as the holes in the piston. With htis I was easily able to retract the pistons when relacing pads, I have't seen the inside of the calipers yet but I suspect that they may be very similar based on the way the emergency brake feels on my 11' SE.
The Tool was very easy to make.

VorlonBlue · 06-15-2011, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandpapa

I change disc before (front) but no idea about this brake piston tool.
what is it for? How does it work

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLSport

Well said VorlonBlue. How does that saying goes; Now the student becomes the teacher.

The grasshopper thanks you!

kappyk66 · 07-27-2011, 08:54 AM

Vorlonblue,

How'd the break job go? Everything go according to plan? I'm going to go pick up the stuff today...

GaspipeBob216 · 12-27-2011, 11:39 AM

Question for those of you that have done front brakes on a 2008+...

The old pads (and new) had a two v-shaped wire clips on them - it looks like they assisted in holding the pads apart when the brake is not employed. (Note- That was a guess. I really have no clue what they are for).

I cannot figure out how to put that clip back on when putting the new pads in. Right now I'm just running without them and I hear a little tap when I engage the brake after the car sits all night. So - I'm assuming I need to get back in there and put those clips on.

Right?

How did you guys get them on? The insertion holes on the pad are directly under the caliper and I had zero luck getting the clip to stay in place...

Thanks for the help.

shellback · 12-27-2011, 02:32 PM

Usually springs on brake pads are used to prevent rattleing of the pads. I have not yet replaced pads on the HL so I cannot say that is the purpose.

Good luck with finding a soloution!