- 1). Open the engine hood and locate the master cylinder, or brake fluid cap, on the driver's side firewall. Remove the lid from the master cylinder to release pressure on the brake system.
- 2). Loosen the lug nuts on the front left wheel using the tire iron supplied with the 4Runner's spare tire tool kit.
- 3). Place a jack under the frame of the 4Runner behind the left front wheel. Jack up the 4Runner until you can place a jack stand under the frame rail. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stand.
- 4). Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel off the 4Runner's wheel hub.
- 5). Locate the two bolts on the back of the 4Runner's brake caliper. The caliper is the large piece of metal that slides over the round brake rotor. Use a socket and ratchet to remove the bolts from the backside of the caliper.
- 6). Pull the caliper off the brake rotor and then remove the brake pads from inside the caliper.
- 7). Locate the caliper piston on the inside back of the caliper. Press the piston into the caliper using a pair of pliers and then place the new brake pads inside the caliper.
- 8). Pry the center cap off the wheel hub using a flat head screwdriver and then remove the nut located behind the cap using a socket and ratchet.
- 9). Pull the rotor off the wheel hub and then slide the new rotor onto the wheel hub.
- 10
Secure the rotor using the nut, socket and ratchet and then press the center cap back onto the wheel hub. - 11
Slide the brake caliper over the rotor and secure it using the two bolts, socket and ratchet. - 12
Place the wheel back onto the wheel hub, secure it using the lug nuts and tire iron. - 13
Jack up the 4Runner a few more inches, remove the jack stand and then lower the vehicle to the ground. Double-check the lug nuts for tightness. - 14
Duplicate the process on the right front brake. - 15
Place the lid onto the master cylinder and press on the brake pedal several times until the pedal becomes firm. This seats the brake pads against the brake rotors.