How to Change Pads on a Toyota Tundra

Replacing worn-out brake pads is necessary to ensure your safety on the road.

The method for installing new brake pads on a Toyota Tundra varies slightly based on whether you have a two-wheel-drive (2WD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) model, but the steps are basically quite similar. However, take note of the number and order of plates, shims and clips that come with the original brake pad assemblies, as they cannot be mixed during installation. Work on one assembly at a time.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Lug wrench Floor jack and 2 jack stands Ratchet and socket (for 2WD models) Piece of wire Small hand siphon pump C-clamp New brake fluid

1. Remove the Brake Pads

   • 1

     Loosen the wheel lugs on both front tires using a lug wrench.

   • 2

     Jack up the front of your Toyota Tundra using a floor jack and lower it onto two jack stands.

   • 3

     Finish removing the wheel lugs and wheels.

   • 4

     Unscrew the lower mounting bolt from the brake caliper using a ratchet and socket. If yours is a 4WD model, remove the wire clip from the ends of the brake pad pins and remove the pins. Then go to step 6.

   • 5

     Pivot the brake caliper upwards and hold it in place with a piece of wire if necessary.

   • 6

     Detach the two wire springs from the top of the brake pad sets with your hand.

   • 7

     Lift the brake pads, shims, pad support plates and pad wear indicators from the caliper-mounting bracket. Take note of the order in which the shims, plates and wear indicators are assembled, so you can install them in the same way.

   • 8

     Remove half of the brake fluid from the brake master cylinder using a small hand siphon pump.

   • 9

     Place one of the old brake pads against the caliper piston and use a C-clamp to push the piston back into the cylinder.

   Install the Brake Pads

   • 1

     Install the new pads, shims, support plates, and new wear pad indicators, if they came with the new pads set.

   • 2

     Attach the two wire springs to the top of the brake pad sets. If you have a 4WD model, go to step 4.

   • 3

     Pivot the brake caliper down.

   • 4

     Screw the lower mounting bolt to the brake caliper using the ratchet and socket. If you have a 4WD model, install the pins to the ends of the brake pads and the wire clips on the pins.

   • 5

     Mount the tires on the wheel/hub assembly and install the wheel lugs using the lug wrench.

   • 6

     Lower your Toyota Tundra and finish tightening the wheel lugs.

   • 7

     Refill the brake master cylinder with new brake fluid.

   • 8

     Depress the brake pedal fully at least 10 times to allow the brake pads to sit properly on the brake rotor.

   • 9

     Change the brake pads on the other wheel assembly following the steps above.