How to Change Front Brakes (Pads and Rotors)

OK we rebuilt our calipers and a BIG thank You for this suggestion!
Our brake fluid was clean, changed every 2-3 years, but behind the pistons was the black granular material mentioned above.
No pistons were frozen ,,, but we had the drtvers side inner lower very rusty inside , see pic as was the inner lower on passenger side. Design fault where these two locations have water in them a lot ?


Drivers inside pad was scored , rock from logging road caught between it and the rotor? Pads have 80+% left on them, this one worn much more than the other 3.


Rotors good, very little runout, they are original turned once, you can see the rust build up on the lower one where the damage to the pad was

Kit ( can) is here along with the new hoses we are going to replace

Pistons come out easy with 20lbs air pressure, see this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoQlAW4DPnA
Kit Number in Canada
Rebuild Kit OEM

$22 04478-04050 Toyota Caliper Kit - 04478-04050

04478-04050






OEM Manual instructions for spacer to press out the pistons





Be careful work slowly, we had to reinsert a couple of pistons to get them all out far enough to pull with our fingers.
Cleaned everything, very careful not to scratch pistons or caliper linings. We cleaned the calipers off most of the rust carefully, the factory plating ( paint ) is still good. Outside surface of the calipers is very nice still.
Pic of the dirty brake fluid behind the pistons

To test accurately we replaced everything as is, bled the fronts only ( temporary ) and found the wobble in the brakes completely gone. They had a slight pulsing you read about all the time in these forums, reason for this rebuild.
Long story short, the pistons were not closing at the same rate, we believe. Solved a problem that has been vexing me for a while.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the worn pad groove as well, it was surely causing issues. Never see anything like that. We are on logging roads, whcih have sharp blasted rock as road base.

We are replacing the hoses, the 2 small hard lines on each side of the fronts, and new rotors and pads. I'm not keen on the rusty look of non-coated rotors, so may try one of the more modern brand.
2 Lower inside pistons have so much rust, I am buying replacements and will change them when we do a brake job. The others cleaned up beautifully.
No scoring or damage to the mating metal surfaces. Just the interior as you can see in the pic below.

Many thanks for the suggestion quoted above !
Hope this helps someone along the way. Would only recommend this one for guys already doing their brakes.
You need tools , air compressor, pics to remove seals, not difficult, but takes time. Plan a day.
Build the insert block, say 3/4" ply plus a piece of 1/4" and cardboard shims (?) to get to the 1.18" This will save using woodclamps etc and you will get all 4 pistons out near the end out their throw, close enough to wiggle out with your fingers.

 

Great write up.

 

Hey guys my '15 is due for pads up front. Where are you sourcing your pads and about what are they running? I got a quote of $80 from the dealership (PN:

$85 04465-04070 Toyota Genuine Front Disc Brake Pad Kit

04465-04070), but that's a lot more expensive than a lot of the other pads I'm seeing online. I don't mind paying extra for OEM, but I just want to make sure I'm not overpaying.

Thanks!

 

I tried "Max Brakes", worst I've ever owned. Dust everywhere.
My last change was to "Power Stop K139". They have been very good, no dust, quiet and feels solid
All bought through Amazon

 

Roger that, thank you. I did a little more digging and found Camelback still does their free shipping over $150 + no tax so they end up being cheaper than my local dealer for the OEM pads. I'm going to go ahead and snag a set for the wife's Corolla as well. I'm probably going to wait until the 100k mile mark before I change out rotors.

 

I did my pads and rotors today. The caliper pistons were pretty rusted, I think I’ll change calipers next time as well.

 

I'm considering the power stop pads and rotors on Amazon. Did you get the drilled and slotted rotors or the regular rotors? Also, how are they holding up a year later? Still happy?