Brake Pads - Rear

Replace rear brake pads on a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry with 2.5L I4 engine, including caliper service and proper bedding procedure.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set × 1 — Use OEM Toyota or quality aftermarket
• Brake hardware kit (shims and clips) × 1 — Often included with pad set

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels.
2. Open brake fluid reservoir cap to check fluid level. If near MAX line, remove approximately 2 ounces with a syringe to prevent overflow when compressing pistons.
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground.
4. Lift rear of vehicle with floor jack and secure on jack stands rated for vehicle weight. Verify stability before working underneath.
5. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect brake system condition
   Examine brake rotors for excessive wear, scoring, or heat damage. Check minimum thickness specification (typically stamped on rotor). Inspect brake hoses for cracks, bulges, or leaks. Measure rotor thickness with micrometer if available. If rotors are below minimum thickness or severely scored, they must be replaced before installing new pads.
2. 2

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the rear side of the caliper (17mm hex). Remove the lower slide pin bolt completely. You may leave the upper bolt in place and pivot the caliper upward, or remove both bolts to completely remove the caliper. Support the caliper with wire or bungee cord if removing completely to avoid stressing the brake hose.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove old brake pads and hardware
   Pivot or lift the caliper away from the bracket. Remove the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper bracket. Remove any anti-rattle clips, shims, or springs from the old pads and bracket. Take note of how shims and hardware are oriented for reassembly. Clean the bracket mounting surfaces with a wire brush and brake cleaner, removing all rust and debris.
4. 4

   Compress caliper pistons
   Using a C-clamp or brake caliper piston compression tool, slowly compress the caliper piston(s) fully into the caliper bore. Place the clamp against the back of the caliper body and press against the piston face. Work slowly to allow fluid to return to the reservoir. Watch for fluid overflow at the master cylinder. On rear calipers with integrated parking brake, the piston may require rotation while compressing - consult service manual if piston does not compress with direct pressure.
   ⚠Some Camry rear calipers have pistons that must be rotated clockwise while compressing. If piston does not compress easily, STOP and verify the correct compression method to avoid damaging the parking brake mechanism.
5. 5

   Clean and lubricate caliper slide pins
   If caliper is still attached by one bolt, remove the second bolt now. Remove both caliper slide pins from the bracket by pulling them out. Clean pins thoroughly with brake cleaner and inspect rubber boots for tears or damage. Replace boots if damaged. Apply a thin, even coat of silicone brake grease to the smooth sliding surface of each pin. Do not use petroleum-based grease. Reinstall pins into bracket boots.
   ⚠Use only silicone brake grease or brake-specific lubricant on slide pins. Never use standard grease or anti-seize, which can damage rubber components and cause brake failure.
6. 6

   Install new brake pad hardware
   Install new anti-rattle clips onto the caliper bracket if included in the pad set. Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease to the pad backing plate contact points on the bracket where the pad ears sit (do not get grease on friction material). Attach new shims to the new brake pads exactly as they were on the old pads, ensuring correct orientation.
7. 7

   Install new brake pads
   Install the inner and outer brake pads into the caliper bracket. Ensure pads are fully seated in the bracket and that any clips or tabs are properly engaged. Verify the friction material faces the rotor and that pad wear indicators (if equipped) are positioned correctly, typically at the top inner pad.
8. 8

   Reinstall and torque caliper
   Position the caliper over the brake pads and align the slide pin bolt holes. Install both caliper slide pin bolts and hand-tighten. Apply silicone brake grease to the threads and under the bolt heads as specified. Torque both slide pin bolts to specification in a cross pattern using a torque wrench. Do not overtighten.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Repeat for opposite side
   Perform steps 1-8 on the opposite rear wheel. Always replace brake pads in axle sets (both rear wheels) to maintain balanced braking performance.
10. 10

    Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts
    Mount rear wheels onto hubs and hand-tighten all lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower vehicle until wheels just contact the ground but most weight is still on jack stands. Torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Restore brake pedal and check fluid
    With vehicle in park and parking brake OFF, pump the brake pedal slowly and firmly 10-15 times until pedal becomes firm and reaches normal height. Pedal should feel solid. Check brake fluid level in reservoir and add DOT 3 fluid to bring level to MAX line if needed. Reinstall reservoir cap securely.
    ⚠️DO NOT attempt to move the vehicle until the brake pedal is firm and returns to normal height. Failure to pump up the brakes will result in no braking on first pedal application.

Reassembly

1. Verify both rear wheels are torqued to specification and torque pattern was followed.
2. Double-check that no tools or parts were left in wheel wells or under vehicle.
3. Ensure brake fluid reservoir cap is installed and tightened properly.

Verification

• With engine running, press brake pedal firmly. Pedal should feel solid and not sink. If pedal feels soft or spongy, air may be in the system and bleeding may be required.
• Test brakes at low speed (under 10 mph) in a safe area with no traffic. Verify vehicle stops smoothly without pulling to either side.
• Perform 6-8 moderate stops from 30-40 mph with 30 seconds between stops to properly bed the new pads. Avoid hard braking for the first 200-300 miles.
• Check for any unusual noises, vibrations, or pulling during braking. Recheck lug nut torque after first 50 miles of driving.
• After 24 hours, recheck brake fluid level. Slight drop is normal as pads settle, but significant loss indicates a leak that must be addressed immediately.

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