How to Replace the Brakes on a 2006 Tundra

The 2006 Toyota Tundra was one of that year's most rugged trucks. It comes equipped with a 271 HP V-8 engine or a 236 HP v-6 engine. Both are available in 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. Off-road capable with a 4-wheel drive option, this truck is tough, rough and quick. With all of the paces this vehicle can be put through its brakes are bound to be put to the test. If the brakes are grabbing, squealing or not working well, it's time to change them.

Things You'll Need

  • Tire iron
  • Jack stand
  • Floor jack
  • Ratchet wrench set
  • Rope
  • C-clamp
  • Caliper compression tool
  • 2 wood blocks
  • Loosen the lug nuts. Rotate each lug two full turns but do not remove them. They can be turned with the tire iron. Place blocks in front of the tires you will not be removing. Do not raise both the front and the rear of the vehicle at the same time.

  • Raise the truck. Place the floor jack beneath a support strut and lift the frame of the truck enough to let the tires come off. Place the jack stands underneath the same support struts.

  • Remove the tires. To remove the tires, finish removing the lugs with the tire iron. Set both the tire and the lugs off to the side.

  • Remove the brake caliper mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is held on by two bolts that can be removed with a ratchet wrench set. Tie it to the undercarriage so that there is no strain on the brake line, which is the black hose running from the back of it.

  • Remove the brake pads. The brake pads will slip out of the bracket.

  • Compress the caliper. The caliper is the cylinder in the center of the bracket. It can be compressed using the c-clamp. If it does not compress and has a groove across the center of it, you will have to use the brake caliper compression tool, which fits onto the caliper and you then crank it to compress it.

  • Install the new pads. The new brake pads will fit into the same slots that the old ones were in. Ensure that the black brake material is facing inward, toward each other.

  • Reattach the brake caliper mounting bracket. The bracket goes back where it was and can be reattached by tightening the two bolts back onto it. Reattach the tire and lower the truck.