DIY rear brake guide?

The repair manual is a good call. "Buying" it for the v might not be an option, as I think the v debuted for 2012 and they stopped with dead-tree versions after 2011. But the signup at techinfo.toyota.com gets you not only the repair manual but the wiring diagrams, technical guides, recalls and warranty extensions and TSBs, and even Toyota's technician training course materials ... and the two-day or even month subscription rates are well under what buying the dead-tree version used to cost.

 

The pdf "dead tree" version was sweet, but yeah, I think it's been phased out.

 

Rear pad replacement for Prius v is similar to procedure for Prius expect caliper piston does not need to be screwed back in with a special tool. I just used a C-Clamp to compress the piston flush with face of caliper. Also, parking brake has dedicated shoes instead of using caliper piston.

 

+1

I changed the pads and lubed the pins on mine a while back. It's just a typical system with one VERY important difference: the system has an electric pump that needs to be disabled or it will push the piston out of the caliper. I don't have the manual, so I don't know if Toyota recommends pulling the fuse or disconnecting the 12 volt battery. I forgot about it, and while I was taking my time changing the pads and lubing the pins, the piston popped out of the caliper spewing fluid all over. It made a simple maintenance job into a much more complicated one. Live and learn!

 

I don't think Toyota has an official stance for DIY, suspect it would be to not touch it, leave it to dealership with Techstream. Anyway, disconnecting the 12 volt negative cable has worked for me, think it's the common lore.