Replacing Brake Pads and Rotors on 4Runner

Step 13: Add New Rotors

Powerstop Brake Pads and Rotor Swap on 5th Generation Toyota 4Runner

Below, you will find the complete step by step installation of front brake pads, rear brake pads along with front and rear rotors on the 5th Gen 4Runner. Our specific year is a 2014 but this brake kit applies to many other make and model 4Runners. Whether you have an SR5, TRD Pro, Off-Road or Limited, this kit may work for you. Always check with the seller first to make sure this brake kit works for your model before purchasing.

We recently covered the overview of the Powerstop brake pads and rotors. If you are not familiar with the kit, check out that post first. The Powerstop severe-duty truck and tow brake package is designed around performance. Whether you are towing a heavy load, overload with expedition gear or have bigger tires, the Powerstop Extreme kit might work for you.

The Brake Kit: 

I checked and this kit does fit the 2013+ models. This includes Trail, SR5, TRD Pro, Off-Road, and Limited 4Runner. This does not fit models 2011 and lower.

Tools

  • 12mm socket
  • 17mm socket
  • 19mm socket
  • Torque wrench
  • Jack and jack stands
  • Other basic tools

Installation Overview

Installing new pads, and rotors all the way around can be done in about 4-6 hours with two people. If you are doing this install alone, expect to see 6 hours or maybe longer depending on your skill level and patience. With basic shop tools, this is a fairly simple install.

Front Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement

Step 1: Remove 17mm Bolts on Calipers

Remove 17mm Bolts on Calipers

Step 2: Remove 12mm Bolts on Brake Line Bracket

Remove 12mm Bolts on Brake Line Bracket

Because we are replacing rotors as well as pads, you will need to pull the caliper off the wheel hub. To give the caliper some freedom, you can remove the 12mm bolt that is holding your brake line on.

Step 3: Place Caliper on Jack Stand

Place Caliper on Jack Stand

You can set your caliper on a jack stand to give your self a stable place to work.

Step 4: Compress Brake Caliper Pistons

Compress Brake Caliper Pistons

In order for the new brake pads to fit back over the new rotors, you will need to compress the caliper pistons. You can do this in a variety of ways, but we found this to be the easiest. Grab a set of clamps and clamp the factory brake pad down. This will compress the pistons into the caliper and give you plenty of room to work with when installing the new pads over the rotors.

Step 5: Pull out the first spring (outside spring)

Remove first brake pad pin

You can place the calipers back onto the rotors or leave them on the jack stand to pull everything apart. Start with the inside spring that is holding the two caliper pins into place. Pop this spring off. You will not need this as two cotter pins are provided in the new brake kit for the caliper pins.

Step 6: Remove Pad Spreader Spring (Bottom Spring)

Remove bottom pin

To remove the pad spreader spring, just push in with your thumb. It will pop loose and then hang down.

Step 7: Remove Disc Caliper Pin

Remove Inner Brake Pad Pins

Pull the caliper pins out. Once the caliper pins are free, everything should fall out.

Step 8: Grease New Brake Pads

Grease New Brake Pads

Step 9: Grease Disc Caliper Pin

Grease Brake Pad Pins

Step 10: Brake Pad inside caliper – line up Disc Caliper Pins

Line Up New Brake Pads inside caliper

Once you have greased your brake pads and caliper pins, you can place one pad in and then push in the caliper pins. Do not push the caliper pins all the way through yet.

Step 11: Second Brake Pad, Pad Spreader Spring & Cotter Pins

Step 11: Second Brake Pad and Bottom Pin

Add the second brake pad and the new pad spreader spring. Then push the caliper pins through both pads and the pad spreader spring. Once the caliper pins are through, you can attach the cotter pins to the ends of the caliper pins, both top, and bottom.

The only part that is not complete here is the pad spreader spring. You need to rotate the pad spring back into place and using a needle nose, rotate the ends into place on the pads.

See Step #14 for the final view. 

Step 12: Rubber Mallet – Knock Off Factory Rotors

Step 12: Knock off Factory Rotors

This one will take a bit of force. Knock the rotor off with your mallet of choice. If a rubber mallet does not work, either try harder, knocking all the around the rotor (like a pickle jar and knife) or use a hammer. If you use a hammer, you may risk warping the rotors. If you are planning on reusing these rotors, then try to use a rubber mallet.

Step 13: Add New Rotors

Step 13: Add New Rotors

Step 14: Replace Caliper Assembly & Bolt Down

Replace Caliper Assembly

Bolt down your caliper and repeat these steps on the other side.

Rear Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement

Step 1: Remove 17mm and 19mm Bolts on Rear Calipers

Remove 17mm and 19mm Bolts on Calipers

Step 2: Pull Support Bracket Out and place Caliper Body Aside

Support Bracket Out and place Caliper Body Aside

Once your caliper body and caliper support bracket are loose, you can rotate your caliper body out of the way and place on the hub assembly. The caliper support bracket is what I am holding in my hand and the caliper body is in the background.

Step 3A: Caliper Support Bracket – Remove Pads and Brackets

Caliper Support Bracket

Step 3B: Pull Bushings

 Step 3B: Caliper Support Bracket - Remove Bushings

Step 3C: New Bushings

Step 3c: Caliper Support Bracket - New Bushings

Using a center punch or screwdriver (be careful with a screwdriver), push the new rubber bushing through the caliper support bracket. Be gentle with this part as the end can rip and tear open. Take your time and try to find a good tool that will be easy on the other end.

Step 3D: Caliper Support Bracket Brake Pad Clips/Brackets

Step 3D: Caliper Support Bracket Clips

Do not try and press these metal clips/ brackets into place with your hands. Use a needle nose to pull one end of the clips over and into place. This is the difference of 1 minute vs. bloody fingers and a headache. Again, this is why we started the blog. All about the details.

 Step 4: Grease the Brake Pads

Grease the Brake Pads

Grease the outside of the brake pads. Yes, the outside.

 Step 5: Remove Rear Rotors (Depress E-Brake)

Pull Off Old RotorsPull Off Old Rotors

Make sure your E Brake is not pressed down. The E brake acts like a drum brake on the 5th Gen 4Runner. When the E brake is pressed, the pads push out and into the rotor. This causes the E brake pads and rotors to lock up. Just make sure you depress the E brake before removing the rear rotors on your 4Runner.

 Step 6: Place New Rotors on Studs

Install New Rotors

 Step 7: Assemble Support Bracket & Pads

Assemble Support Bracket

First, place your support bracket with the clips already in place over the rotor. Once you have the support bracket in place, you can install your pads. From an angle, you can insert the pads and fit them into place. You can go bottom to top or top to bottom. Whatever you find is easiest for you. Be gentle with the clips because the might pop off.

 Step 8: Compress Caliper Piston with Factory Brake Pad

Compress Caliper Piston

This is where having another person help comes in. If one person holds the caliper body and the brake pad into place, you can align the clamp. Once you have the clamp aligned, crank down the caliper pistons.

 Step 9: Torque Rear Brake Caliper Body to Support Bracket 30 ft lbs

Assemble Caliper Body

After you have the caliper pistons pushed in, you can fit the caliper body over the caliper support bracket and tighten everything down. We tightened down the caliper bolt/ guide pin at 30 ft lbs of torque.

Overview and Notes

With this step by step overview, you should have a pretty good understanding of how the brakes work. Even if you are replacing your factory pads and rotors with genuine Toyota brake pads and rotors, the process will be the same.

If you have basic shop tools and another person, you can get this install done in 4-6 hours, maybe sooner depending on your skill level. It took us about 5 hours because we took pictures and shot some video throughout the process.

Remember to start the 4Runner and pump the brakes after you finish the install on each front and rear setup. This will push the caliper pistons back out and onto the backside of the brake pads. Also, remember to depress the Ebrake before pulling the rear rotors off.

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Ren Densmore
Ren Densmore
2 months ago

Any tips on how to get the e-brake gear box to actually spin down? Got the rotor turned to where we can see the tiny wheel that needs to be spun, but it is not moving. E-brake is off, but car is in park. Do I need to put it in neutral?

Brian
Brian
11 months ago

If you (like me a few days ago) do not know the difference between 6-point and 12-point sockets, here it is. The 6-point has exactly 6 sides (like a hex nut) and achieves a much snugger fit over the head of the bolt at the expense of convenience and ease. The 12-point more easily slots over the head since there are twice as many ‘correct’ positions. This can make ratcheting in tight spaces less of a PIA, however the relatively sloppy fit increases the odds that you round off the head off a really stuck bolt before freeing it. This is what nearly happened to me before I realized the error of my ways. If a bolt is proving difficult and you’ve put your back (or impact wrench) into it to no avail, consider swapping to impact-grade 6-point sockets.

Alex Holloway
Alex Holloway
1 year ago

Please add this so others don’t experience the same issue. Step 5, in addition to depressing the ebrake, be sure to dial back the ebrake directly from the both rear rotors. Adjusting the rotors to have the biggest hole opening at 6pm, use a screwdrive to press the spin mechanism downard releasing the ebrake from the rotor. This is a huge must when offloading the rear rotors. Otherwise, you risk damaging the ebrake and having to repair. It’s an absolute PIA adding 3+ hours of rework. Thanks all your help.

Michael H
Michael H
1 year ago

Great write up. By any chance do you know what the P/N# to the BUSHINGS

Joe
Joe
2 years ago

Just finished doing all four rotors and pads, this was a great help! One thing I would emphasize is don’t even try and hammer off the rear rotors. Use two M8x1.25 bolts to release the rotor… so much faster!

richie
richie
2 years ago

Great write up, TY

Scott
Scott
3 years ago

Hey Brennan,
Appreciate very much all reviews and articles on your website.
Trail4runner.com is the first place I go for 4Runner mods.
Question – My 4Runner is a daily driver and does not tow anything or haul heavy loads.
Would you suggest this reviewed PowerStop brake kit?
Thanks,
Scott

Charles E Abbott II
Charles E Abbott II
3 years ago

I realize there is a break-in procedure for the front and I did that already. Now I’m replacing the back but since this rear brake set up has the internal shoes is there any way to do a break-in on the rear pads and rotors?

alvaro jaramillo
alvaro jaramillo
3 years ago

POWERSTOP BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR SWAP ON 5TH GENERATION TOYOTA 4RUNNERi need this for toyota 4 runner limited 2017

Al Seattle
Al Seattle
3 years ago

The article needs to stress and include a link to how to bleed the brakes properly including such things as products from Motive and the pros and cons of speed bleeders.

BlueRidge77
BlueRidge77
3 years ago
Reply to  Al Seattle

I think it would be confusing to mention brake bleeding in this article since it’s not necessary for replacing pads and rotors. Especially for those with less experience, it could send them down the wrong path.

One item that is helpful, when removing the front rotor, sometimes using a hammer just doesn’t cut it. Especially if you aren’t replacing the rotors. There are two threaded holes on the hub area of the rotor that you can use the bolt removed from the brake line bracket to screw in and help “push” the rotor off. Do it a little bit at a time alternating between the two holes and work the rotor off.

Mike
Mike
3 years ago

Nice write-up and photos for the brake job! I’ll definitely use this as a reference when it comes to change mine again, since I always forget which direction those metal springs go. I’ve used the Powerstops on a 4th Gen in the past and definitely felt like the brakes responded better than OEM. The only issue I had on that rig was freezing calipers which wasn’t the fault of the Powerstop rotors or pads. The price poiint of tbe Powerstop packages is typically a solid deal as well.

bruce
bruce
4 years ago

In step 5 of rear rotor removal there is no mention of problems or solutions reguarding the parking brake shoes .
A ridge can form and not allow the rotor to be pulled off , there seems no acess to back the shoes off .WTF???

Al Seattle
Al Seattle
3 years ago
Reply to  bruce

Thru the front of rotor you should be able to access the star adjuster, same principle as the old drum brakes but from the front. You can see the round holes in the photo of the rear rotor. The holes on my power stop rotors did not line up and it was horrible. Had to have the rotor cut off. Yeah WTF! I will never buy power stop rotors again. The shoes develop a ridge and you will never get them off without destroying the rotor and if you get overly forceful you can even damage the backing plate. What ever rear rotor you buy make sure the access holes line up and then it is a simple process to adjust the star adjustor to take off and readjust. My power stops where the K2405. Like I said never again will I recommend this brand. My were on a GX.

christopher (@asigiamchris)
christopher (@asigiamchris)
4 years ago

Hey Brenan! Thanks for the write up and snail trail video. Made the job super easy. I don’t know if you noticed, but I was wondering about the little metal clip on the bottom of one of the pads. They’re is one for each side of the car, but only two of the pads have the clip. Do you know if that pad with the little metal clip Is the inside or outside brake pad, or does it matter? Thanks for clarifying!

Mike
Mike
4 years ago

Put it on the inside since that pad usually wears just a bit faster but it won’t hurt either way.

Charlie Fuller
Charlie Fuller
4 years ago

Thanks for the write up, but can I get some clarification on what you mean by “depress” the e brake? You use “pressed” and “depressed”, and I assume by “depressed” you mean “released”, but wanted to be sure.

MARCUS M DIAZ
MARCUS M DIAZ
4 years ago

My steering wheel shakes soo much when I brake so after some reading online it seems like the rotors are warped and causing me to experience this incredible shake.
 
After reading this article I was curious if anyone else has installed these specific brake pads and rotors since that is something that I will need to be doing sooner than later it seems and what is the consensus?
 
Any information to help me make this decision would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Andrew
Andrew
4 years ago
Reply to  MARCUS M DIAZ

My powerstop rotors warped within 5k, now pads are down to metal about 12k later with normal city/hwy driving. Complete garbage.

MARCUS M DIAZ
MARCUS M DIAZ
4 years ago
Reply to  Brenan Greene

Thanks for the immediate response and feedback. I am taking it to the shop on Monday to get an estimate on what needs to be done so I appreciate the guidance on where to go for brakes…

EVOLVE007
EVOLVE007
4 years ago

What about replacing the shoes, too?

Ron Mangual
Ron Mangual
5 years ago

Good write-up! Helped me do mine yesterday. Just a quick note for anyone using this in the future. The front Caliper bolts are 19mm not 17mm and when put back together they get 91 lb ft of torque.

Chris
Chris
5 years ago
Reply to  Ron Mangual

Rear Torque specs:
Brake caliper mounting bolts: 74 lb-ft (17mm)
Brake caliper slide pins: 65 lb-ft (17mm)

Waleed Elbayar
Waleed Elbayar
5 years ago
Reply to  Ron Mangual

So now that it’s been installed what are your thoughts? Better than oem?

Isaac Sullivan
Isaac Sullivan
5 years ago

Hi, Hard to beat a great write up on these brakes and how to install them. Before I pull the trigger on buying some of these for my 2011 4Runner SR5, anyone have any concerns/Issues or install tips that I should know?
Thanks,
Isaac

Brandon
Brandon
6 years ago

Will these rotors cut some weight over the stock setup?

Jay
Jay
6 years ago

Hi Brenan, great info and pictures. I also have a passion for 4Runners. I have a 2003 which I have been advised by toyota needs new rear calipers. I have read that the 4th gen calipers have been a bit of an issue but that I can evidently put the 5th gen parts on which are better. I see that you installed the power stop pads/rotors so must think they are good. I need calipers as well – would you suggest that the power stop kit (with rotors, pads and calipers) would be a good choice?

James Hayhurst
James Hayhurst
5 years ago
Reply to  Jay

powerstop brake and rotors have a very distinct brake in procedure that if followed correctly you won’t have any problems. i love them on 2014 4r no issues highly recommend.

Waleed Elbayar
Waleed Elbayar
5 years ago
Reply to  Brenan Greene

Any updates to this comment? How are they looking now? Great write up!!

rock
rock
6 years ago

You do an outstanding job describing how to do the work. Thanks
Looking forward to additional info.

Addison
Addison
6 years ago

Pretty handy information in this post , great job!!😁

Juan Villanueva
6 years ago

This is such a good write up, keep up the good work and helping make this off road community a better one.

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