Rear brake issue

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Noahdoge, Jan 27, 2026 at 6:29 PM.

  1. Noahdoge

    Noahdoge Active Member

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    I recently did my rear brakes (pads and rotors) myself. Everything went well and I triple checked the caliper was rotated to the proper X pattern. Cleaned hardware and cleaned and re grease slide pins.

    Today I wanted to double check that my brakes were done properly so I felt the rotors and one was definitely warmer than the other. I jacked up the rear and both sides spun freely but one side was only able to do 1 full rotation while the other side did 2.

    After my commute home I grabbed my temperature gauge and one side was 90F and the other was 82F. Are these temps normal?

    I have no noticeable change and the car seems to drive good with no dragging noise and I can coast in neutral on flat ground for a good distance.

    Didn’t know if I’m just being way too cautious and over looking into things or if I should pop the calipers back off to double check everything is seated in properly.
     
    #1 Noahdoge, Jan 27, 2026 at 6:29 PM
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Are you sure you rotated the puck all the way back in? Check the parking brake also.
    Those temp are still pretty low.....
    But you could double check the one side, just to be safe.
     
    #2 ASRDogman, Jan 27, 2026 at 7:35 PM
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  3. Noahdoge

    Noahdoge Active Member

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    Good point, that’s the only thing I’m not sure if I did. I did rotate multiple times and when it looked flush and the X was correct, I stopped. Are you supposed to wind it until you can’t anymore? Just curious how that would affect the placement of the caliper.
     
    #3 Noahdoge, Jan 27, 2026 at 7:47 PM
  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    You likely must go all the way to put in the new Toyota pads. If you used aftermarket, I wouldn't know.
    When I did mine, after going all the way in, I had to rotate them out a little to get the pins to line up, but it
    was only 1/4 of a turn or so.
     
    #4 ASRDogman, Jan 27, 2026 at 8:06 PM
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  5. Noahdoge

    Noahdoge Active Member

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    I used ADVICS pads and rotors which are OEM for Toyota. Based on your idea I think I will pull off the caliper, retract fully and then pump the brakes to re seat again.
     
    #5 Noahdoge, Jan 27, 2026 at 8:11 PM
  6. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    The parking brake might be sticking slightly on that side. Doesn't hurt to double check.

    Maybe waiting a week or so, keeping an eye on the pad wear for both sides. And see if they
    equal out in temps.
     
    #6 ASRDogman, Jan 27, 2026 at 8:17 PM
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Take a look at rear brake drag link in my signature. On a phone turn it landscape to see signatures.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:25 PM
  8. Noahdoge

    Noahdoge Active Member

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    I followed your instructions, even had your list while I did my install! Not sure where I went wrong, will have to go back over everything this weekend.
     
    #8 Noahdoge, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:58 PM
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  9. Noahdoge

    Noahdoge Active Member

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    Took everything apart and it’s really hard to tell if the first time was done correctly, but I think I lined it up better the second time.

    1st attempt
    IMG_6229.jpeg
    2nd attempt
    IMG_6230.jpeg
     
    #9 Noahdoge, Jan 30, 2026 at 2:46 PM
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    It’s lining it up, and keeping it lined up. You want to assemble everything, don’t apply parking brake, push brake pedal multiple times to seat the pads, reconnect 12 volt neg cable, test drive, then apply/release parking brake a few times, raise rear, and test-spin the wheels. They should go 2~3 revs.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Jan 30, 2026 at 8:38 PM
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  11. Noahdoge

    Noahdoge Active Member

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    Yeah that’s the frustrating part of the rear brakes. The first time I disconnected the battery, then after reassembly I pumped the brakes till firm, then bed in the brakes.

    This time, I did what you suggested and used the parking brake multiple times after pumping the brakes and turning the car back on. Took for a test drive and spun the wheel, it’s not a full 2 rotations, but better than what it was before.
     
    #11 Noahdoge, Jan 30, 2026 at 9:46 PM
  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It's been a while since I did mine, but are 2 of the spaces deeper than the others?
    Did you look at the pads and see if the wear, what little there was, was even?

     
    #12 ASRDogman, Jan 30, 2026 at 10:29 PM
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2026 at 10:38 PM
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  13. Noahdoge

    Noahdoge Active Member

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    From what I could tell, all the spaces are equally sized. Also the brake pads looked good and even thankfully.

    I guess the other possibility is a wheel bearing, but there was no play. I’m not sure how long wheel bearings usually last. 215k miles.
     
    #13 Noahdoge, Jan 30, 2026 at 11:00 PM
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    This order is safer:

    assemble brakes
    Pump brake pedal
    Reconnect battery
    Test drive
    Apply/release parking brake
    Test spin
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Jan 30, 2026 at 11:00 PM
  15. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    If you spin it, you'll hear it and feel it, the grease wears out eventually.
    215,000 miles is a long time....

     
    #15 ASRDogman, Jan 31, 2026 at 6:45 AM
  16. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    I question that. My Prius's rear wheels have never spun nearly that freely, even though the pads have worn remarkably little in >120k miles, and even though disks feel cool after gentle stops. Wheels of my previous cars with drum brakes turned more freely. Note that Noahdoge also reports "not a full 2 rotations."
     
    #16 CR94, Jan 31, 2026 at 1:53 PM
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