How to replace front brake rotors — Toyota Camry 2020

Tools you'll need

• Floor jack and jack stands
• Lug wrench
• 14 mm and 17 mm sockets
• 17 mm wrench
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or caliper piston tool
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord

Parts you'll need

• Two front brake rotors
• Front brake pad set (replace the pads with the rotors)
• Brake cleaner
• Brake grease
• New caliper bracket hardware if included with the pads

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. Remove the lug nuts and take the wheel off.
3. Remove the caliper and hang it safelyUse a 14 mm socket to remove the two caliper bolts while holding the slider flats with a 17 mm wrench. Lift the caliper off 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. Remove the pads and the caliper bracketPull the old brake pads out of the bracket, then remove the two 17 mm caliper bracket bolts and lift the bracket off. The old rotor is now free.
5. Remove the old rotor and clean the hub facePull the old rotor off the hub. If rust has seized it, tap the rotor face with a rubber mallet, alternating sides, until it breaks free. Then brush the rust off the hub face with a wire brush so the new rotor seats flat.
   Tip: A rusty hub face is the most common cause of a brake vibration after new rotors. Clean it until it is bare metal.
6. Fit the new rotorWipe the protective oil coating off the new rotor with brake cleaner. Slide it over the wheel studs and push it fully against the hub. Put a thin smear of anti-seize on the hub face first if you want the next job to be easier.
7. Refit the bracket and install the new padsRefit the caliper bracket and tighten its two 17 mm bolts to about 79 ft-lb. Fit the new pads into the bracket with the new hardware clips, with brake grease on the pad ears and the back of the pads.
8. Refit the caliper and wheel, then bed the brakes inPush the caliper piston back with a C-clamp, then slide the caliper over the pads and tighten its bolts to about 25 ft-lb. Refit the wheel and tighten the lug nuts to about 76 ft-lb. Pump the brake pedal until it feels firm, then bed the brakes in with a few moderate stops from about 30 mph and check for vibration or noise.
   Tip: Pump the pedal before you drive. The first press will go to the floor because the piston has to travel out to the new pads.

Safety first

Brakes are safety-critical. Always use jack stands and never work under a car held up by a jack alone. If you are not confident, have a qualified technician do this job.