Toyota RAV4 brake pad change

[rfuerst911sc]

My wifes 2007 Toyota Rav4 is ready for its first brake pad change. It has 47,000 miles and looking at the rotors through the wheel spokes they look great. No ridges or really any visible wear. I have not changed brake pads on a " new ' car so just wondering is there anything special I need to know ? My plan is to install new pads on the rotors and that's it. Anything special about ABS or sensor wires or ???

[craigster59]

I do them on my 2007 Tacoma. No big deal, should take no time at all.

[Rapewta]

We have a RAV 4 AWD. At 70k my son replaced the pads in about an hour.
Rotors still in great shape. I only say "my son" because I could have done it but
I am getting lazy and he loved the $100 bucks we gave him.
Rotors should still be just fine unless you let the pads go down to the metal.
The rears, drum, only provide 25% of the stopping power, so I wouldn't even
bother taking them apart for inspection. IMHO.

[mikester]

Mechanics always recommend turning the rotors before installing new pads. It is better to do that, you will have better brakes if you do. I've replaced the pads with replacing the rotors, turning the rotors or just replaced the pads and never actually noticed a difference in anything.

I still think it is better to freshen up the rotors though. With the cost of them these days (just did my Volvos rear brakes 2 weeks ago) though it doesn't make sense to find a shop to do the work around here. The ones I called wanted about $25 each and didn't want to get them back to me the same day. I spent $36 on new ones each and had them the same day from the local parts shop.

As far as the actual work? Maybe 2 hours - maybe. I had to replace the rotors as one of the pads in the back inside had worn through.

[sc_rufctr]

You'll need a tool to compress the pistons back into the calipers. No big deal. I have a simple tool with a flat plate and a bolt that pushes them back in.
Also...when was the last time the fluid was changed? I'm assuming never. I change mine every 2 years on my cars. You'll need a pump of some kind. I have a vacuume pump that works with compressed air but the new reverse pumps look like a good idea.

I've never had disks machined. If they're bad I replace them with brand new. Never had a problem.

[rfuerst911sc]

Yesterday the wife and I went to the bank and next door is a Pep Boys. I've used them for tires so while the wife was in the bank I walked over and asked what a " normal " front brake job costs for the Rav4. The guy said $139.99 plus tax. I asked what they did for that price, they turn the rotors and install new pads. I had done some internet shopping and found that front brake pads were going to run 40.00 - 100.00 depending on brand and compound type. Because I'm already knee deep in a bathroom build I decided to drop the Toyota off. Two hours later they call me and tell me the brakes still easily have 40% pad left and no work is needed at the moment ! They inspected all four brakes and they said they are still in great shape. I just assumed with the mileage that they were getting close. There was no charge for the inspection so I was a happy camper. I'll inspect them in 10,000 miles and go from there. Back to the bathroom build .

[sc_rufctr]

Good news. Your wife must have a light foot.

[Rusty Heap]

timely post.

just did my wifes 2006 RAV4 with a V6. We drive it hard.......it's a hoot to have 300 hp and AWD. yokomaha AVID4's all the way around.

front OEM pads lasted, yes, 85,000 miles. Put ceramics on the front in about :45 minutes, rears took maybe :30-45 once the impact wrech was out, 1/2" for the caliper bolts to remove, c-clamp to press the piston back in. (make sure you don't over-flow your master cylinder researve when pressing back the slave cylinder at the wheel)

I dont turn rotors unless needed. Read up on how to hot-seat brake pads, you want to get the pads and rotors darn near smoking hot with repeated hard accell and deaccell, romp on the gas till 40-50 mph, then hard on the brakes back to zero............just like track days, you're laying a coating of the brake pad, on the brake rotor.........GOOD BRAKES are more about stickion than friction. Read up on this more. google is your friend.

You DON"T need to turn rotors unless they have grooves, or hot spots and pulsing. Lay down a new layer of the fresh pad onto the rotor during hot braking, and you're golden.

other thoughts are welcome to counter my advice.

[rfuerst911sc]

85,000 miles ? Wow that is impressive. Thanks for the feedback.