Need to fit new disc pads front and rear - any guides?

1. Disconnect the 12V battery
2. Press the brake pedal a few times to discharge residual pressure left in the brake actuator
3. When removing pads, be sure not to allow air into the hydraulic system, for example by opening a bleed valve
4. Are you planning to use a large C-clamp to compress the pistons? Make sure not to damage the machined surfaces that will contact the piston seal.
5. Check the brake fluid reservoir as you are compressing each piston back into its caliper to be sure you are not in danger of having the fluid overflow.

 

Brake service

 

There are many reports of pads going to 200,000 in the US but it is thought our pads are softer to give more feel to the brakes. The calipers are of the two bolt design so are easy to change but as Patrick said disconnect the 12v battery first and under no circumstances open the bleed valves.

I suggest taking the top off the fluid container before pushing back the pistons and when you have replaced the pads pump the pedal to push the up to the discs (this only works at the front).

When you have done the rears as you reconnect the 12v battery you will hear the rear pads slam up to the discs as the system is re pressured.

Take the car out onto the road and do some hard stops from 40MPH with the car in neutral to bed the pads to the discs till they feel normal and stop quickly.

John.

 

The brakes service guide is applicable to the front of the UK Prius but not to the rear as we have discs on the rear. The parking brake is a drum inside the disc and is adjusted from the wheel side of the hub through a hole in the drum to access a star wheel positioned near the bottom of the hub.

Pulling the two light blue relays in the fuse box negates the need to disconnect the battery this has the advantage of not loosing any settings (windows radio ect).

 

Hi Darren,

I haven't yet needed to perform this work. You may find that after removing one bolt, you can pivot the caliper out of the way to remove the brake pads. Same for rear.

 

Yes you can swing the caliper by undoing one bolt. However when I did mine I replaced the discs as well due to rust so removed the whole units. Many people in the US have the discs re surfaced but I found good quality after market disks so cheap it was not worth the delay and would actually have cost more.

If you want to clean out the rear parking brake drum you will have to remove the caliper bracket to allow the disc/drum to slide off the wheel studs.

Take careful note of the position of the anti squeal shims also the wear indicators. The front pads have only one wear indicator each side of the car the rear have one on each pad.

 

I'd be curious what price you're paying for the parts. Toyota UK offer a fixed price for changing discs and pads as follows;

Toyota Servicing Centre | Service Plans, Schedule & Costs | Toyota UK

Select the hybrid option half way down after the service information and prices. At least this way you don't have the worry of damaging the hybrids sensitive brake system, are using genuine parts and should have peace of mind.

 

Toyotas prices are expensive. Example= Auto transmission fluid change "from £109" I guaranty it's more than that for the Prius. I did mine myself "oil from Toyota £34" actual time working on the car less than ten mins. At the price quoted above that is £7.50 a minute.

£460 for discs and pads change is crazy. Any mechanic worth his salt would change all four in less than an hour, I did my own using quality parts for less than £90.

I also find nothing spectacular in the quality of Toyotas discs or pads against those of other well known manufacturers (not of Chinese origin).