How to replace front brake pads — Toyota Camry 2020

Tools you'll need

• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Lug wrench
• 14 mm socket and ratchet
• 17 mm wrench
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or brake piston tool
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or wire hook

Parts you'll need

• Front brake pad set
• Brake cleaner
• Brake grease

Steps

1. Park on flat ground and loosen the lug nutsPark on a flat, level surface, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels. Loosen the front lug nuts a half turn while the wheel is still on the ground.
   Tip: Work on one side at a time so you can use the other side as a reference.
2. Raise the car and remove the wheelLift the front of the car with a floor jack and set it on jack stands. Never work under a car held up by a jack alone. Remove the lug nuts and take the wheel off.
3. Remove the caliper bolts and lift the caliper offUse a 14 mm socket to remove the two caliper bolts while holding the slider flats with a 17 mm wrench. Lift the caliper off the pads and hang it from the suspension with a bungee cord so it does not hang by the brake hose.
   Tip: Never let the caliper hang by the brake hose; it can damage the hose.
4. Slide out the old brake padsPress down on each pad ear to release it and pull the old pads out of the bracket. Note which way the wear indicator faces so you can install the new pads the same way.
5. Clean the bracket and hardwareSpray the caliper bracket with brake cleaner and scrub the pad slides with a wire brush. Put a thin layer of brake grease on the pad ears and the back of the pads where they touch the caliper.
   Tip: Keep grease off the friction surface of the pads and the rotor.
6. Push the caliper piston backUse a C-clamp or brake piston tool to slowly push the caliper piston back into its bore so the thicker new pads will fit. Check the brake fluid reservoir first; if it is full, remove a little fluid so it does not overflow.
7. Install the new pads and refit the caliperSlide the new pads into the bracket with the wear indicators facing up. Set the caliper back over the pads and tighten the two 14 mm caliper bolts to 25 ft-lb (34 N·m) with a torque wrench.
8. Refit the wheel, lower the car, and pump the brakesPut the wheel back on and tighten the lug nuts by hand, then lower the car and torque the lug nuts to the spec in your owner's manual. Before you drive, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
   Tip: Drive gently for the first 100 miles so the new pads can bed in.

Safety first

Brakes are safety-critical. If you are not confident, have a qualified technician do this job.