Front Brake Pads, Rotors & Caliper Replacement: Toyota / Lexus

DIY Video on how to replace front brake pads, rotors and upgraded calipers. Procedure is similar for many makes and models of vehicles.
The procedure demonstrates a front brake upgrade from a 1999-2003 Toyota Solara (same as 1997-2001 Camry) V6 with ABS to calipers, pads and caliper brackets from a 1994-1996 Camry V6 with ABS (or Lexus ES300 or 1995-1997 Toyota Avalon). The calipers on the older Camry were dual piston and had a much larger pad area, supposedly helping with high speed braking.
The caliper upgrade will clear stock 15" wheels or larger.
Once the vehicle is jacked up and the wheel removed, two 14mm slider bolts can be removed to remove the caliper from its bracket. From there, two 17mm caliper bracket bolts can be unbolted from the steering knuckle, freeing the bracket and pads.
Pads should be replaced when the pad thickness is roughly equal to the backing plate thickness. Apply anti-seize to any area where there is metal to metal contact, such as where the pads contact the pad clips in the caliper bracket.
Replacing the caliper is as simple as unbolting the Banjo bolt (14mm) and bolting the brake line to the new caliper.
Rotors should be replaced when the run-out becomes excessive (as measured by a dial indicator), warped or rusted. The surface should at least be scored, sanded or machined prior to just replacing pads.
Overall the brake feel is still soft in the beginning of pedal travel but the braking force is much more than the single piston calipers once the brake pedal is depressed with more force.
Make sure the pads are bedded into the rotors by gently stopping the vehicle a few times to allow the new pad to evenly coat the rotor, preventing vibration.

[@ButterfieldEric]

I like how you say "14 millimeter" and "17 millimeter" over and over. I'm not watching this while looking for sockets so now it's ingrained in my memory which sockets I need.

[@speedkar99]

+Eric Butterfield awesome. Thanks

[@pd9888]

Great job. Very diligent, awesome attention to detail. I wish all brake mechanics were on your level. Thanks

[@speedkar99]

Thanks! I'm no mechanic though

[@speedkar99]

Angel Vargas The gears have a keyway in them so they align correctly on the shaft when you reinstall it.

[@robertsmyth910]

great video!! very informative, clearly demonstrated every step, and in a short amount of time. Very professional... thank you

[@speedkar99]

+Robert Smyth Thanks, short and to the point is my style.

[@1australianbeacon]

I agree totally and i have never done it b4 👍 Because you helped me ill help you. Rev 18.23c thy MERCHANTS were great men of the earth deceived all nation by SORCERIES pharmakeus . Take not the FIREY darts of the wicked one spiritual or physical vaccines!

[@peaman2424]

Well done. One of the better videos on this topic!!

[@speedkar99]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@supercoop101]

Great video. Straight to the point, perfectly detailed, A++. You rock!

[@speedkar99]

supercoop101 Thank you very much for the feedback!

[@priscillathegirlgamer431]

Very good video! you are very thorough you explained everything perfectly. You make it look so easy I feel like I could change my brakes myself now. thank you for this video.

[@speedkar99]

+Lovely Miss thanks, I hope your brake job goes well.

[@m8x425]

Thanks for the video. I just did this brake upgrade to my 1997 Camry v6 and now my braking power is unbelievable. Beforehand I tried aftermarket brake parts from EBC and Hawk in order to get decent braking power and the results weren't as good as using larger pads from the '96 Camry. Although I had to get all the parts from Autozone. Also, I hope this helps with the rotors warping after 15k-35k miles. I've had my Camry for 12 years while putting 124k miles on it and this is the 5th time I've replaced the pads and rotors.

[@speedkar99]

Awesome. Dual piston calipers are much better especially at higher speed. Right now I have Lexus ES330 brakes on my 04 Camry

[@johntorre1213]

@@speedkar99 hi I have a 2002 Camry V6 SE which year Lexus ES do you recommend for me switch to my Camry?

[@TheWeirdSide1]

Wow! Clear, concise, and inspiring!!! Thank you!

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@CommancheDoyle]

You are the man speed, thank you for all your DIY'S

[@speedkar99]

+Commanche Thank you

[@troyhoward650]

This is an awsome video how could anyone dislike it . thanks for the brake upgrade just done this last night on my 2001 camry

[@speedkar99]

Awesome! Which calipers did you use?

[@troyhoward650]

@@speedkar99 Took them off a 1995 camry twin piston calipers bolted rite on

[@familyman8644]

Thats lame why would they make them better on older versions and go to crappier quality calipers on later version

[@angelvargas9042]

I had a question. When u remove the cam and crank gears to replace the cam and crank seals, what is keeping the engine in the correct timing. When u remove the gears doesn't the engine get out of time or does the cam holding tool achieve the correct timing of the engine??

[@zenxen7668]

Hey quick question, have a 01 camry LE with the 4cyl and these came with the same 275mm rotors as the v6 models if you had the 15inc rims. Was wondering if this swap is doable on this car as well, mines just doesn’t have abs so I’m not too sure

[@ejagger]

Very detailed how-to video. You did a great job editing, too. Not a fan of using an impact to install lug nuts, though.

[@speedkar99]

Thanks You don't tighten them all the way with the impact You torque them after properly

[@wilsonfinlayson]

hey I love your videos. this one is of great interest to me because you swapped out you calipers from single piston to dual piston from gen 3 Camry..I am unable to find dual piston calipers from Camry..what model did you source from please? I have a Scion TC and looking to get better braking so would like to do like you..thx

[@grabir01]

At 4:05 you show install of wire springs and then at 4:14 you show caliper being installed and what happened to the wire springs?

[@rianhassan3149]

I have a 2000 I4 Camry and I am looking to do the V6 dual piston front upgrade. I have the feeling that I can use the same banjo bolt and washer from my I4 on the V6 setup. Can you confirm? I have everything else ready to go. Pads, bracketed calipers with ABS, and rotors.

[@bigchiller0075]

I want to upgrade the brakes to a dual piston on my 2001 Lexus es300 will the dual piston bracket and brake from a 2002 bolt up to it even if the body still had change for that year?

[@speedkar99]

+bigchiller007 yes all Camry based vehicles have the same spacing for the caliper bracket bolts. You might have to change the rotors too, and upgrade your rims to fit around larger brakes.

[@mabireveles5744]

I have 2005 toyota sienna LE what kind of dual piston calipers can I put on it?

[@lazerbay6531]

Hello, i recently had an emergency brake scare on my 04 fwd rx330 with 18in wheels. it has 225k mi on it. I plan on adding a roof top tent and rack which would add roughly another 150lbs to a crossover with sub par oem braking. You show the dual piston camry calipers in the vid. Are they an improvement over the single piston RX as i'm puzzled to think they would place lower quality brakes on a heavier lexus? Is there a specific model larger caliper that would be better? I also saw on club Lexus that a member had improved braking by swapping the rotors from a supra tt and adding steel braided brake lines with dot 4 fluid. Would it be possible combining both methods? Is one superlative over the other rotor/line upgrade vs caliper design? Are there similar rear upgrades? Are the rears worth it or just focus on the fronts?

[@speedkar99]

I think you need Highlander brakes from 2008+ Dual piston camry brakes aren't going to cut it for an RX.

[@grabir01]

When you put the caliper on, what happened to the spring wires? They were missing...

[@speedkar99]

+grabir01 I did put them on after. It helps to keep the pads slighly apart when the brakes aren't applied.

[@allnaturalindian]

do you know if it's possible to put 4-piston calipers (i.e., the ones from LS400) on a gen 3 camry?

[@speedkar99]

No

[@viscioushattermaid4410]

When I release brake there is a popping noise, I torqued everything on front suspension and checked sway bar links, I’m thinking it has something to do with brakes/calipers, any ideas?

[@speedkar99]

I had that. Caliper bracket bolts.

[@gRosh08]

Thanks for sharing.

[@L-Noble.YT_Hi.Res-Soundminds]

Good job. Make everything slippery. Loosy goosie, lol. Oh I only use ceramic pads. No noise, barely no dust and your rotors will thank you. Also a good time to check wheel bearings and even suspension and steering because one thing affects the other. Happy braking!

[@speedkar99]

Agreed! Anti seize in everything here in Canada

[@SeizedaJay]

Do i have to bleed the lines after changing calipers?

[@Dobermann.Kennel]

Hey man, the bolts on the back, the second ones you take off, they’re pretty hard to remove. Should I try harder? Breaker bar maybe? 2000 Celica GTS

[@rolandob4492]

StormFront yes idk why those arms can’t take that bolt off you must be on steroids 😂

[@colchronic]

Can you use 4 piston calipers and rotors from a 2000ish ls400 sc300 on a 2006 Camry

[@speedkar99]

No the bolt distance is different

[@Samy-hh1wn]

Can you please upload a video on how to replace the brake master cylinder?

[@speedkar99]

I would like to do a video on this, but right now my brakes are working fine (so so), so I'll hold off until it gets worse. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@linguistisch]

Hi speedkar! Great video. I have a problem with my own setup. I own a 2009 Corolla XRS and want stronger braking. I recently replaced my front rotors and as well as ProAct pads which I was hoping would solve it but it only made it slightly better, I still want more bite/power and want to upgrade them. Do you know which Toyota calipers will bolt up to the 10th gen Corolla knuckle? The XRS model has the base Camry 2.4l and transmission which makes it heavier than a stock Corolla yet Toyota only gave it the same normal Corolla pads/caliper/rotors combination :/. I can't find much information on Toyota Nation or elsewhere. I have been told that POTENTIALLY the front brakes from the heavier Rav4 V6 or IS' will bolt up/work. My car has 17" wheels stock. Thanks! I really appreciate any help, I wish I could just bolt up the larger Camry rotors and pads with twin pistons like you did!

[@speedkar99]

Hey, thanks for the feedback. I am not sure on the Gen 10 Corolla knuckle. I'd assume since the XRS uses the same brakes as the regular rollas that the Camry brakes probably won't bolt up. I think the only way to know is to measure the distance between the mounting bolts on the caliper brackets. The rotor on anything Camry based (Rav4, Highlander, ES350, etc) won't bolt into a Corolla knuckle because the lug bolt pattern (5x100) is different, so you'd be left trying to source a larger rotor with that pattern and hub size. Are there other Corolla based vehicles that had larger brakes? Like Scion xB, xA, tC, Matrix or Prius?

[@linguistisch]

Thanks for the reply, it was really helpful. And you nailed it with the lug pattern. Because I have been focused on the knuckle bolt distance but the lug pattern is 5x100 while all these other cars are 5x114.3 so I'd never even be able to get the rotor to match even if I could find a caliper. I am wondering about Scions, some are 5x114.3 and some are 5x100. What I'm looking into right now is buying aftermarket options for the tC because it's a similar platform like you noted, but I'm unsure and information is really hard to come by it seems.

[@mehranaliakbari4943]

Speedkar99 thank you for this video. Like others I found it very helpful

[@speedkar99]

+Mac Akbari glad you liked it

[@cmgambit23]

Well done

[@speedkar99]

+chris mares thanks

[@rkgsd]

What if the front brake pads have uneven wear the shape of a wedge?

[@speedkar99]

+rkgsd you have a stuck slider. See my brake service video.

[@mcatuncan]

Thanks this helps!

[@speedkar99]

Glad it helped

[@mcatuncan]

Thanks!

[@delaceybrown9538]

Caliper bracket 17mm bolts. I noticed you put anti-seize on them. I’m trying to find new bolts and at all the auto parts stores I’m seeing their bolts have what looks like red loc tite on the tips. The OEM Lexus/Toyota bolts don’t have any such material in the picture I’m finding of them. However, my bolts were super hard to get out, and I ended up stripping the tips of them, so I’m guessing whoever replaced those bolts before me used to auto part store bolts, or loc tited the OEM bolt tips...but, you are using anti-seize... Which application is correct?

[@speedkar99]

I hate lock Tite. In Canada we have natural lock Tite, called rust. Hence I use anti seize on everything. Good luck with caliper bracket bolts. One time I stripped and had to order, and took some time to get in. You can get them from the junkyard. I'm sure they fit many Toyotas

[@MrGolfballsack]

All around good video well explained except for one part unless I am mistaken there are a couple of steps you left out when bleeding the brakes

[@CraigStaszak]

On lexus especially. It calls for a scanner tool to activate the abs to clear air. You will have no pressure at all doing a typical bleed. Most Lexus do not have a mechanical brake pedal

[@adelicioussteak6919]

Hi, I have a '96 Camry le, 4 cylinder. I'm looking to upgrade the brakes, and doing the front calipers seem like the best option at the moment. Do you know if the caliper+bracket and brake pads off of a 92-96 v6 Camry would essentially swap out for the caliper on the 4 cylinder? Or would I need a new rotor, and potentially wheel? I have the stock 14 inch steel wheels on. Any input would be much appreciated, thanks

[@speedkar99]

You will need the 96 V6 with ABS Camry's rotor, caliper, bracket, pads and wheels to make it work. The dual piston calipers need a minimum of 15" rims to clear.

[@adelicioussteak6919]

+speedkar99 Gotcha', appreciate the info. I'll have to keep me eye on the junk yards

[@MeloManAce814]

@@speedkar99 Are these the same as the calipers used on 2005 lexus es 330? I have a 2005 solara and would love to upgrade the calipers to dual piston. I am looking on ebay for complete kits.... when I searched for 96 camry calipers.... they were all single piston :(

[@jessicawinchester8580]

Good job

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@debbradford262]

LOVE THIS "FIXED AD"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@avoDobie]

I'm looking to upgrade my lexus ES300 what calipers and brackets options do I have? -Thank you

[@speedkar99]

Anything from the Camry platform will bolt up to the knuckle. For Highlander or RX350 brakes you''ll need a minimum of 17" wheels. If you want dual piston calipers that will fit 16" wheels, look for brakes from an ES330, and for 15" Wheels, a 95-96 Camry V6 as per this video, or an Avalon.

[@avoDobie]

+speedkar99 thank you so much

[@siucbset]

The caliper slide pin with the bushing is always on top for front and rear. ??Correct??

[@speedkar99]

+siucbset I always mix those up. Heck I even took off the bushings because they bind up too much.

[@speedkar99]

+siucbset I always mix those up. Heck I even took off the bushings because they bind up too much.

[@benkohout6495]

When replacing calipers due to one being seized after 2-3 rotations. Do you need to buy the caliper bracket and the calipers? Or just calipers? Thanks

[@speedkar99]

If the sliders move freely then no need

[@rkgsd]

Can you elaborate on upgrading the calipers on an '01 Solara? So I can just buy some front calipers for a '96 Camry and use them with my existing rotors? I do agree the stock brakes are undersized on that gen of Solara.

[@speedkar99]

Yeah Better yet use a set of rotors calipers and pads from a newer car like Lexus ES330 but you'll need 16" rims

[@rkgsd]

@@speedkar99 Awesome! I do have 17" wheels so no problem there. Thanks so much. Will look into it.

[@rkgsd]

@@speedkar99 since the rotors from an ES330 are larger in diameter, the dust shields would need to be removed. Don't really need them anyway.

[@sdnative2387]

@@speedkar99 I guess we'd have to ignore the Oriely Auto Parts website. It says both the Camry dual piston calipers and Lexus calipers are incompatible with the MCV20 Solara chassis. Different bracket mounting points? Nice thought though guys. Strange that Toyota didn't just give all the vehicles that size dual piston calipers.

[@rkgsd]

@@sdnative2387 You can't always go by what the stores say, but I believe Speedkar99 knows so I'd go with what he says.

[@juliusbodanio4889]

hi speedkar99, i have 1991 toyota celica st183 4ws GTR, i am planning to do some upgrade to a bigger rotor and caliper, can you help me? i have 17" wheels installed. thank you. and also great video.. so informative and straight forward.

[@speedkar99]

+Julius Bodanio I'm not familiar with that generation Toyota, all the best on your BBk

[@juliusbodanio4889]

Thanks @speedkar99..

[@viscioushattermaid4410]

My rotor wobbles/has a lot of play with and without wheel on, I re-grease the slide pins and tightened the caliper bolts I still haven’t figured it out. There is a whistling noise from the wheel when I drive (goes away when braking) It is missing the set screw that connects to hub but I have never had those on either of the wheels. Could it be a warped rotor?

[@speedkar99]

If it wobbles then you have a bent rotor. Use a dial indicator to determine

[@viscioushattermaid4410]

I ordered new rotors anyways as they haven’t been changed in like 6 yrs but I’m thinking now it might be the wheel bearing 🤔

[@viscioushattermaid4410]

It was the wheel bearing was shot!

[@elleshah915]

very good

[@speedkar99]

+Elle Shah Very good, thanks.

[@linhuawang]

where did you get this 3rd gen calipers? from a scrap yard? how much did they cost?

[@speedkar99]

Yes I got them from a scrap yard, $70 for the pair.

[@franksmith1457]

What size wrench do you need

[@trefrom9th]

17 & 14MM for Caliper and Bracket I believe 8 or 10MM for Brake Bleeder

[@rhpham2]

Wonder if this would fit my 99 avalon as I have 15inch wheels? For the Gen3, what years are those?

[@speedkar99]

Yes it would. You could take dual piston calipers off of 94-96 Camry or Lexus ES300 or 95-97 Avalon and it should bolt right up with 15" wheels.

[@ArmoredBullTrading]

speedkar99 so my question is this, Will these dual piston calipers help my 2005 avalon, and fit on it with no modification? Thanks, looking for a brake upgrade, already have slotted and drilled all around, with ceramics, but at 140, still has lots of "it's not stopping fast enough" moments lol

[@speedkar99]

I'm not 100% positive it will work on a 2005 Avalon, but since its based on the same chassis on the Camry, I suspect the caliper bracket holes should align on the knuckle and bolt right up. You should go for 2008+ Highlander brakes - which are much bigger than the Gen 3 Camry calipers, assuming you have 17" wheels to clear the brakes.

[@ArmoredBullTrading]

I do have 17" wheels to clear, and so the 08 highlander brakes fit! YESSS Do they bolt right up!:"?? :-)

[@ArmoredBullTrading]

also, are they 4 piston or 2? or 1 piston lol

[@familyman8644]

I have a 97 es300 and its the dual piston I think. Ill find out tomorrow

[@ewright7739]

Do you have to bleed the brakes if your just changing the pads and rotors.

[@speedkar99]

No.

[@ewright7739]

If I don't have a torque wrench will I have to purchase one.

[@speedkar99]

You don't need a torque wrench for brakes, hand tightening is good enough.

[@rkgsd]

***** Ebay is probably the last I'd trust for such an important safety part. Try Rockauto

[@speedkar99]

+1 for Rock Auto

[@alexanderchenf1]

Should Prius be considered differently in terms of brake caliper replacement?

[@speedkar99]

Should be the same since regenerative braking happens inside the hybrid motor

[@siucbset]

Brake Pad and Caliper UpGrade: The are plenty of Camry brake and caliper change outs already on KZbin so when I saw the title I was wondering why speedkar99 would post one. Upon seeing the video I noticed this video is more so a brake and caliper up grade. I did not know before this video that I could merely just go to the generation 3 Camry twin piston design and make the switch to get a more power set of brakes. I am currently content with my brakes yet I am glad to have this information. Did you consider cross drilled and slotted rotors?

[@speedkar99]

Thanks. I hadn't yet done a front brake job video and wanted to do one. The Gen 3 Camry's twin piston makes for a cheap upgrade, but for even more stopping power, late model Highlander / Lexus RX / Toyota Sienna dual piston brakes + rotors will bolt right to the steering knuckle of these older Camry's. You'll need a 17" wheel minimum to clear the brakes. Drilled and slotted rotors are merely for looks and won't increase performance for a regular street car.

[@siucbset]

speedkar99 My set up is 205/60R16; same as yours: So how did you get the Gen 3 twin piston caliper on if a 17" wheel minimum is required?

[@speedkar99]

To clarify, the Gen 3 Camry brake upgrade would clear a 15" wheel (which is what I did), and the Highlander brake upgrade needs a 17" wheel to clear the caliper.

[@lexuses3942]

I nearly killed myself getting the LAST pin out on front passenger. All the others went smoothly, it’s always that last one lol took me hours, Bc the parts store didn’t have a new bracket or pins on the shelf they had to be ordered and I wanted my car off the jack stands. I got it, but what a day that was for ONE pin. Also the little rubber piece on the end is still stuck in the bracket. I just left it, lol the pin slides freely just find now with new grease so I’m not worried about it

[@CaballoFerrari]

Alguien que me responda en español

[@juantrujillo2837]

No seas mamon

[@CaballoFerrari]

@@juantrujillo2837 que dijo ?

[@ot5340]

Don't put anti seize on the bolts it mess with with the torque specs and it may come loose much easier. put thread locker instead.

[@speedkar99]

True. But I live in Canada where things rust.

[@ot5340]

@@speedkar99 so do I

[@kevinisawake]

YOU WIRE BRUSHED THE CALIPER PISTON RUBBER SEALS - WHY OHHHH WHY UNLESS YOU WANT MORE HOLES ON THEM???

[@ojofelixnm3608]

Not even close. Toyota says the replacement thickness is 1mm . Lot's of life left in those pads.

[@terrencesmith738]

there is shimmy sound coming from break area, when hold the brakes it stops, once I release the sounds returned

[@speedkar99]

+terrence smith could be a sticking caliper on a rusted rotor

[@abadperez1112]

Nice job. Next time use gloves!!!!!

[@speedkar99]

+Abad perez I hate using gloves

[@daijoubu4529]

Brake fluid is corrosive, not even nitrile gloves?

[@L-Noble.YT_Hi.Res-Soundminds]

Dr. Speedskar99 we have a patient at bay 2. Hes name is 98 Corolla! Lol.😂

[@joeblogs6380]

Forgot to check brake fluid. But good video