How to Replace the Front Brake Pads in a 2002 Tacoma

The braking system on the 2002 Toyota Tacoma is made up the brake calipers, brake pads, brake rotors and the brake lines. When the driver pushes in on the brake pedal, the brake fluid travels through the brake lines and into the rear of the brake caliper. The cylinder inside of the brake caliper then compresses the brake pads to the inner and outer portions of the brake rotor to stop the truck. The brake rotors need to be machine turned or replaced each time that the brake pads are replaced.

Instructions

1

Park the 2002 Toyota Tacoma in a safe work area and set the parking brake.

2

Put the wheel chocks behind each rear wheel to keep the truck from rolling.

3

Loosen the lug nuts on the front driver side and passenger side of the Tacoma with the tire tool or a lug wrench.

4

Slide the jack up under the front of the Tacoma and jack the truck up from the cross frame near the bottom of the engine. Once the truck is up high enough, place the jack stands under the jacking points on both sides of the truck. Then, carefully lower the truck onto the stands and leave the jack in place.

5

Finish unscrewing and removing all of the lug nuts from the front wheels with the tire tool. Pull the wheels off and place them down flat to prevent them from rolling away.

6

Move back to the front driver-side wheel and locate the brake caliper that is sitting on the side of the brake rotor. Slide the flat-head screwdriver into the top of the brake caliper and pry the clips off the brake pads. Then, pull the brake pads out of the brake caliper.

7

Look on the back side of the brake caliper and locate the two caliper mounting bolts. Remove these two bolts with the 1/2-inch drive ratchet and a socket. Then, wiggle the caliper back and forth to loosen the caliper from the rotor. Pull the caliper off the rotor and hang it to the closest suspension component with the bungee cord.

8

Remove the old clips and any other brake pad accessories from the inside of the brake caliper. Insert the C-clamp down into the caliper facing the caliper cylinder. Then, slowly turn the C-clamp so that it will compress the cylinder into the brake caliper. Once the cylinder has fully compressed, unscrew the C-clamp and remove it from the caliper.

9

Insert the new inner and outer brake pads and the new clips. Also add any other brake pad accessories to the caliper. Then, remove the brake caliper and remove the bungee cord.

10

Slide the caliper with the new brake pads back onto the side of the brake rotor. Screw the two rear caliper mounting bolts back into the rear of the caliper and tighten down tight with the ratchet and socket. Reverse the same exact steps above for replacing the brake pads on the front passenger side of the Tacoma.

11

Put the wheels back on the wheel hubs and screw the lug nuts in place. Tighten the wheels down tight with the tire tool

12

Jack the front of the Tacoma back up and remove the jack stands out from under the truck. Slowly lower the truck to the ground.

13

Crank the 2002 Toyota Tacoma and push the brake pedal to the floor three different times to fit the new brake pads to the brake rotor. Turn the engine off and open the hood.

14

Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap and check the brake fluid level. If low, add brake fluid to the reservoir until full. Close the hood and remove the wheel chocks from the rear wheels.

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