Symptoms
Steering-wheel shake under braking (warped rotors — Trail4R blamed cold water crossings), noise, thin pads.
The fix, step by step
- Front: unbolt the brake-line bracket (12 mm) and the caliper bolts, hang the caliper, push the pistons back, swap pads, pins and anti-rattle spring, knock off and replace the rotor.
- Rear: remove the caliper bracket bolts, release the parking brake before pulling the rotor (it has a drum-in-hat parking brake), fit new rotor, bracket and pads.
- Pump the pedal before driving.
- Trail4R lists 17 mm front caliper bolts but a reader reports 19 mm at 91 lb-ft — confirm against the FSM.
Tools & part numbers
- 12/17/19 mm sockets
- piston compressor or clamp
- mallet
- brake grease
- torque wrench
- e.g. Powerstop kit (fits 2013+ per Trail4R)
Where to buy the parts
Brake pads (front & rear)RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Brake rotorsRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Rotor & pad kitsRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.