I'm about to upgradde to front brembo rotors & KVR pads on my 97 4runner LTD 4x4 and was looking for a write-up or tips on rotor replacement. The write-ups on 4x4wire cover this, but do not specify year or even 2wd or 4wd. I would assume there are some differences between these. Are these good write-ups to follow for a 3rd gen 4x4 runner? Anyone have any good advice before I start? I guess my most concerning question is how hard is it to get the rotor off the hub? What else do I need to add to my list?

Rotors
Pads
grease
Fluid (bleed the fronts)
Anti-squeal gunk
brake parts cleaner
tools: air tools, torque wrench, C-clamps, pliars, jackstands, lots of rags and rubber gloves

 

There are tons of post on this subject so you may want to do a search also, but here it is.
Loosen lug nuts then jack wheel off the ground.
Remove lug nuts and wheel.
Take out little triangle spring, and 2 pins holding pads in caliper.
Use a large flat screwdriver or eqiv. to push pads/pistons back into caliper. (Wedge between rotor and pad)
Remove pads. If the pistons are not pushed back into caliper all the way, use a large c-clamp to push pistons back. If the c-clamp is small, put something flat to spread over both pistons so they go back at once.
Put new pads in and put back together. Use a small amount of brake grease on pins. These are the steps to change pads. To change rotors do these additional steps.
Remove 2 bolts holding caliper to spindle and tie back out of the way. There is no need to disconnect brake line.
Pull off rotor and replace.
This is a VERY easy job. There is really no tools needed except a screwdriver to change pads. It takes me more time to jack the vehicle and remove the wheel than to change brakes.

Edit: Bleeding is not necessary doing it this way. Be careful when you push the pistons back into calipers. If the resivor is full it might overflow. Use a turkey baster to remove some fluid. You only need gloves, grease , rags etc. if you are doing a 2nd gen because you have to remove bearings and a bunch of other stuff to get the rotors off

 

Thanks for the awesome little write-up. Believe me, I read through tons of search results but couldn't find any info on whether the rotor just pops off or had to be unbolted from the 3rd gen hub. I was hoping it would be this simple. Thanks again.

 

fast cash, i will put a link up of the write on 4x4 from wildbill when i get off work, it's pretty good.Brake Writeup

 

the process has begun looks like a pain. I was quoted 3 hours of labor.

 

got it done talk about easy day

 

Good job, not really that hard as some people think.

 

-Normally if the rotors seem to be stuck to the hub (which happens alot) you can just hit it with a rubber mallet on the top part of the rotor and on the bottom part and it will knock loose... or you can just use my method and kick the crap out of it.

-Also don't forget to take the cap off the brake master cylinder so you don't screw anything up when pushing the fluid back through the brake system from compressing the caliper.

-The best thing or most ideal thing to use when compressing the caliper would be the old pads... since your not going to use them again who cares if they get messed up from the c-clamp?

Just some info I thought of that is useful on changing disc brake components... hope it helps.