Brake Pads & Rotors — Front Axle
Pad and rotor replacement on a Tacoma or 4Runner front axle, including how to compress the piston without destroying the caliper and the correct bedding procedure.
Prep and lift
Break the lug nuts loose on the ground, lift the front, and support on stands. Remove the wheels and turn the steering so you can see the caliper straight on.
Remove the caliper and bracket
Remove the two 17mm caliper bolts and hang the caliper from the upper control arm with a hook — never let it hang by the brake hose. Then remove the 14mm bracket bolts to free the rotor.
Swap the rotor
Pull the old rotor straight off. If it's seized to the hub, thread a bolt into the two service holes to push it free rather than hammering on the face. Clean the hub face with a wire brush before fitting the new rotor.
Compress the piston and fit pads
Open the bleeder slightly and use a C-clamp on the old pad to push the piston back square. Grease the pad ears and slide pins with silicone grease (never standard chassis grease), then seat the new pads in the bracket.
Reassemble and torque
Refit the bracket to 65 ft-lb and the caliper to 25 ft-lb. Spin the rotor to confirm it turns freely without dragging, then refit the wheel.
Bed the pads in
Find an empty road and do six moderate stops from 40 mph, then three harder ones from 55. Don't sit at a light holding the pedal afterwards — that's how you imprint pad material onto a hot rotor.