Brake Pads - Rear

Replace rear brake pads on a 2018-2024 Toyota Camry with 2.5L I4 engine, including caliper service and proper torque specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent ceramic pads
• Brake hardware kit (shims and clips) × 1 — Included with quality pad sets

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground. Place transmission in Park and engage parking brake.
2. Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while wheels are still on ground.
4. Remove reservoir cap from brake master cylinder and siphon out approximately 2 ounces of brake fluid to prevent overflow when compressing pistons. Replace cap loosely.
5. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at designated rear jacking point and support with jack stands under frame rails.
6. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect brake components
   Visually inspect brake rotors for deep grooves, cracks, or heat damage. Check brake hoses for cracks or swelling. Measure rotor thickness if possible (minimum thickness is stamped on rotor). Replace rotors if below minimum or excessively worn. Verify caliper slide pins move freely without binding.
2. 2

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Using a 17mm socket or wrench, remove the lower caliper slide pin bolt. On 2018-2024 Camry rear calipers, you typically only need to remove the lower bolt to pivot the caliper upward. If access is difficult, remove both upper and lower slide pin bolts to completely remove the caliper.
   Torque spec

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

   Support and secure caliper
   Pivot the caliper upward (if only lower bolt removed) or lift caliper completely off the bracket. Support the caliper with a wire hook or bungee cord attached to the suspension or chassis. NEVER let the caliper hang by the brake hose as this can damage the hose internally.
   ⚠Do not allow caliper to hang by brake hose. Internal hose damage may not be visible but can cause brake failure.
4. 4

   Remove old brake pads and hardware
   Remove the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper bracket. Note the orientation and position of any anti-rattle shims, clips, or springs. Remove the pad wear indicators if present. Remove and discard old pad shims and anti-rattle clips from the bracket.
5. 5

   Clean caliper bracket and inspect
   Spray caliper bracket with brake cleaner and wipe clean with a lint-free cloth. Use a wire brush to clean the pad slide surfaces on the bracket where pads contact. Inspect bracket for cracks or damage. Clean the caliper slide pins and boots, checking boots for tears or damage.
6. 6

   Lubricate caliper slide pins
   Remove caliper slide pins completely from the bracket if not already done. Wipe pins clean and inspect for corrosion or pitting. Apply a thin coat of silicone brake grease to the smooth shaft portion of each slide pin (do not use petroleum-based grease). Reinstall pins into bracket boots, ensuring boots seat properly.
   ⚠Use only silicone brake grease on slide pins. Petroleum-based lubricants will destroy rubber components.
7. 7

   Compress caliper piston
   Using a C-clamp or brake 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 against the old brake pad or wooden block on the piston face. Compress slowly and watch the brake fluid reservoir for overflow. The 2018-2024 Camry rear caliper has a single piston that compresses straight in (not a screw-in type).
8. 8

   Install new pad hardware and brake pads
   Install new anti-rattle clips and shims onto the caliper bracket according to the orientation noted during removal (or per instructions included with pads). Apply a thin film of silicone brake grease to the back of each brake pad where they contact shims (not on friction surface). Install inner and outer brake pads into the bracket with friction material facing the rotor. Ensure pad wear indicators are positioned correctly per manufacturer instructions.
9. 9

   Reinstall caliper
   Remove caliper from support wire. Position caliper over the new brake pads, ensuring it seats properly on the bracket. If caliper was completely removed, align it with the slide pin holes. Insert caliper slide pin bolts and hand-thread them carefully to avoid cross-threading.
10. 10

    Torque caliper slide pin bolts
    Apply silicone brake grease to the threads of the caliper slide pin bolts as specified. Using a calibrated torque wrench, tighten the caliper slide pin bolts to exactly 35 Nm (26 lb-ft) in the proper sequence. Torque both bolts (or single bolt if only one was removed) evenly. Verify torque by loosening slightly and re-torquing to specification.
    ⚠️Incorrect torque on caliper bolts can cause the caliper to detach during braking, resulting in complete brake failure.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1 through 10 on the opposite rear wheel. Always replace brake pads on both wheels of the same axle simultaneously to maintain balanced braking.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts
    Clean wheel mounting surfaces on hub. Install wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower vehicle until wheels just contact ground (but vehicle weight not fully on wheels). Using a torque wrench, tighten lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Lower vehicle completely and verify torque again with vehicle weight on ground.
    ⚠️Improperly torqued lug nuts can cause wheel detachment. Always use star pattern and verify final torque.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Restore brake pedal pressure
    Before moving vehicle, pump brake pedal slowly and firmly 10-15 times until pedal feels firm and returns to normal height. Check brake fluid reservoir and top off to MAX line with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid if needed. Do not overfill. Install reservoir cap securely.
    ⚠️Vehicle will have no rear brakes until pedal is pumped to seat pads against rotors. Never move vehicle before restoring pedal pressure.

Reassembly

1. Verify all caliper bolts are torqued to specification and no tools or parts are left in wheel wells.
2. Check brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir and top off to MAX line with DOT 3 brake fluid.
3. Ensure all wheels are properly torqued in star pattern.
4. Remove jack stands and wheel chocks only after vehicle is safely lowered.

Verification

• With engine running, press brake pedal firmly. Pedal should feel firm and not sink to floor. If pedal feels soft or spongy, air may be in the system and bleeding may be required.
• Test brakes at low speed (under 5 mph) in a safe area to verify proper function before road use.
• Check for brake fluid leaks around calipers and at master cylinder reservoir.
• Listen for any unusual noises during initial brake applications (light squealing is normal for first few applications with new pads).
• After 50-100 miles, re-check wheel lug nut torque and brake fluid level.
• Perform break-in procedure: avoid hard braking for first 200 miles. Make 30-40 gradual stops from 30 mph to properly bed pads to rotors.
• If brake pedal travel increases, pedal feels soft, or vehicle pulls to one side during braking, immediately have system inspected by a professional.

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