The brake rotors on a 4Runner are extremely important aspects of the braking system and should be inspected regularly for wear and replaced if necessary. You can have a shop replace the brakes on your 4Runner for you, but it may cost several hundred dollars. This is a job that also be done by the owner at home in the garage with the right tools and approach.
Loosen the lug nuts for the wheels. Raise the truck with a floor jack. Although 4Runners come with a factory supplied scissor jack, a heavier duty floor jack is recommended for lifting a 4Runner quickly and safely. Lower the truck onto jack stands so that it is safely supported and finish removing the wheels.
Remove the six bolts that hold the hub cover in place on each wheel. Remove the cone washers located on the hub bolts by tapping a tapered punch into the slit in the washers. The washers should pop out.
Pry off the dust cover that protects the hub with a flat head screwdriver. Remove the 12-mm bolt and washer from the end of the axle with a socket and a ratchet.
Thread two 8-mm bolts into two opposing holes on the hub cover. Pull equally on the two bolts to remove the hub cover. Remove the two large nuts on the axle with a socket or adjustable wrench. Remove the washer and bearing behind the retaining nuts.
Remove the two caliper retaining bolts located on the back of the caliper with a 17-mm socket. Slide the caliper off of the rotor. Tie the caliper off with a piece of wire or support on a platform so that there is no weight on the brake line, which could potentially damage it. Pull the rotor off of the hub by pulling straight back.
Spray the entire area down with a brake cleaner and wipe any oil, dirt and debris off with a clean rag. Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner and slide it onto the hub. Slide the caliper back over the rotor. If the pads are too close together to slide over the rotor remove the cap from the brake fluid reservoir and use a C-clamp to retract the piston into the caliper. Place a thin piece of wood between the clamp and the piston to protect the piston.
Tighten the two caliper retaining bolts that hold the caliper in place. Reinstall the wheel bearing, washer and two retaining nuts. Slide the hub cover back on and then replace the 12-mm bolt and washer. Reinstall the dust cover.
Reinstall the six cone washers and the six bolts that hold the hub cover in place. Replace the wheels and lower the truck off of the jack stands. Tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern. Pump the brake pedal until the pedal feels firm again. Test drive your Toyota carefully to ensure that there are no problems with the brakes.
