Replacing the front pads of a 2013 Toyota RAV4

Signs of worn brakes

Worn and new pads

The wear of mechanisms on Rav 4 can be determined by the following signs:

• when braking, a characteristic squeal and a beating is felt (the reason is uneven wear of the pads and discs);
• braking distance increases;
• deceleration occurs too late or too quickly (weak or harsh brakes indicate that it is time to change parts);
• There is visible carbon deposits or metal dust on the wheel (the lining is scratched).

If you notice signs of wear, do not delay replacement, as the risk of an accident increases significantly if the brakes are ineffective.

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Cast and forged

In turn, light alloys are divided by type of manufacture:

• cast;
• forged.

The former consist of fine-grained metal. This structure, when driving on dirt and rocky roads, produces microcracks throughout the disc. They may not show themselves outwardly for the time being. And after the next hit against a stone or speed bump, it will split into two parts. In the city and at high speed, the car will immediately create an emergency situation.

A forged disc consists of a plastic fibrous metal structure. Such wheels will easily crush the suspension during a strong impact, but will not crack. They are several times more expensive than cast ones.

When to replace

The documentation for your car contains information when it is necessary to replace the brake pads in a Toyota Rav-4. But as mentioned earlier, this number is conditional, so you need to adjust it to your conditions. There are a number of signs that indicate your SUV's brake pads need to be replaced. These include:

• The appearance of a distinct squeal when braking. This indicates complete wear of the friction linings. The squeak indicates that the metal part of the structure is directly interacting with the disk. Urgent replacement required.
• Changes in brake pedal travel. As the pad wears, the distance between it and the disc increases. This gap affects not only the pedal travel, but also the time required for the disc and pad to contact.
• An increase in the force required to press the brake pedal is also a consequence of the point described above.
• Beating in the brake pedal. Causes uneven pad wear or damage. Here you definitely need to replace the Toyota Rav 4 brake pads.
• A sharp increase in brake fluid consumption may be a sign of increased wear on the vehicle's pads.

Drivers are also recommended to carry out a visual inspection every 10 thousand kilometers. If you find metal shavings on the brake discs, this is a clear sign of complete wear. The vehicle manual clearly states the minimum brake pad thickness. Measure the part, and then compare the obtained indicator with the required one. The presence of chips, microcracks and any other damage on the block indicates the need for urgent replacement.

Brake pad life

The car is equipped with disc brakes, which are highly efficient and have a long service life, but even with this system it is necessary to regularly check the condition of the pads.
According to traffic regulations, driving with a faulty brake system is completely prohibited. On disc brakes, as a rule, the life of the pads ranges from 50 to 80 thousand kilometers. This indicator is also affected by driving style. If you live in a large metropolis and drive in start-stop mode, then the resource is reduced. Much depends on the quality of the pads themselves. If you have already installed others at a car service before, then you need to regularly check their condition. The resource of this component is also affected by climatic conditions and the quality of roads.

When to change and what pads to buy for Rav 4?

If the friction linings are worn out (i.e. their thickness is a couple of millimeters), the consumables are replaced. On Rav 4 you can do this yourself. Depending on the operating conditions of the Japanese crossover, the interval between changing the elements of the braking system is different, so there is no clear answer to the question of when to change the pads. Inspection of components must be carried out at every maintenance.

The front wheels of the Rav 4 are equipped with pads that are selected taking into account several factors, including the weather conditions of the vehicle. There are three types of pads:

• Akebono 0446542150, 0446542140, 0446542170;
• Advics 0446542190, 04465YZZDY, 0446542180;
• TOYOTA 0446542150.

AKEBONO

The Akebono and Advics braking systems require the installation of discs with a diameter of 296 mm and a thickness of 28. If the Rav 4 is used in hot climates, you need to install parts under the following catalog numbers ( 0446542160, 0446542200 ). Pads for 328 mm brake discs for the Advics vehicle are sold under article number 0446548170 .

Parameters of pads for Toyota Rav 4 4th generation:

• thickness 17.5, width 146.1, height 57 (catalog numbers 0446542150, 0446542140, 0446542170, 0446542190, 04465YZZDY, 0446542180);
• 17.5, width 139.2, height 55.9 (items 0446542160 and 0446542200);
• thickness 17.5, width 166.6, height 59.3 (0446548170).

The following consumables are installed on the rear axles - original number 0446642060 or 04466YZZE8 . Dimensions - 15.4, 96.8 and 49.3 (thickness, width and height, respectively). You can install the following analogues (brand and catalog number): NiBK PN1522, Advics SN134, Brembo P83089.

4654042020, 4654042010 on the drum mechanism of the rear wheels of Rav 4 (2012-2015) . The linings for the drum mechanism have a diameter of 172 mm and a width of 32 mm. Let's also name analogues - Nipparts (article N3501057), NiBK (FN0621) and Patron (PSP019).

Drum pads

What is the difference between alloy and steel

In addition to the size, you need to look at the material from which the wheels are made. Typically, steel or an aluminum alloy with admixtures of other metals is used, which give strength and the ability to withstand the weight of a Toyota Rav 4 car without and with a load.

Cast or alloy wheels are standard on all vehicles produced by vehicle wheel companies. They are visually beautiful and effective.

Wheel manufacturing companies have begun adding nickel to aluminum, which makes it lighter in weight. Wheels made of aluminum and steel differ in weight for the worse. They make the car unmaneuverable on the road; the vehicle cannot pick up speed in those seconds indicated by the manufacturer in the owner's manual.

The lighter the weight of tires and brake pads, the better the vehicle’s grip on the ground or asphalt. Although in winter, weight can be an advantage. It presses the car harder against the asphalt, which means it won’t skid on a slippery road.

Therefore, it is advisable for the car owner to change not only the tires when “re-shoeing” his car, but also the wheels. In winter they should be installed in steel, and in summer - made of light alloy material.

Attention! Steel wheels are no larger than 16 inches in diameter. Because due to their weight, the braking system may not be able to cope with braking the vehicle.

Therefore, 17 and 18 inch ones are rarely made of steel. Light alloy material is used here.

Cost of replacing an element on RAV 4

Front and rear brake pads of RAV 4 are replaced for 1500-2000 rubles in car dealerships. This is a simple procedure, so it can be performed even in garage workshops.

You can carry out the procedure at a service station at an official dealership, but in this case the cost of replacing the pads will increase slightly.

On specialized forums you can find articles that describe how to change the system elements in question on a Toyota RAV4 yourself. There you can also read reviews about this procedure from people who have already performed this procedure.

The brake system is an important element of the car, the condition of which must be carefully monitored.

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Pad replacement procedure

First, it should be noted that all pads must be replaced at once or in pairs. You can change only the front brake pads of the Rav-4, as well as the rear ones directly. It is prohibited to replace only one side. This will result in uneven braking forces on each side, as well as instability during braking.

To perform dismantling, you will need a nut wrench, new brake pads, and a jack. For maximum convenience (subject to availability), please use a lift. It is recommended to purchase caliper lubricant to treat the guides.

To change the pads on the front wheels, follow these steps:

1. Place the jack on the required side, and then lift the wheel you plan to work on. Remove the wheel by unscrewing the five bolts.
2. Next you need to remove the caliper. There are two bolts on the inside. Unscrew them using a 14mm spanner.
3. After removing the caliper, you will see the brake pads on the disc. They can be simply detached by hand.
4. Remove the metal bracket from the old part and then place it on the new block.
5. Do the same with the pad installed on the other side of the disc.
6. Next, you need to lubricate the caliper guides. Remove the guide bolts and apply lubricant. Check that the anthers are not damaged.
7. Place the caliper in its place. If it does not fit on the pads, it is necessary to “sink” the piston by pressing it inward a short distance.
8. Screw the mounting bolts into place.
9. Replace the wheel. The nuts must be tightened in a staggered pattern to prevent wheel distortion.

Be sure to check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. If necessary, simply top it up. The procedure for replacing the pads for the rear wheels is no different. After this you can do a test drive.

Timely replacement of brake pads is the key to your safety. Check their condition regularly. As you can see, you do not need any specialized tools or special skills for dismantling. The replacement can be made in a garage in 10-20 minutes. You will not only gain invaluable experience, but also save a decent amount on car service costs.

Changing brake discs

Unscrew the caliper, unscrew the bolts securing it to the hub. The algorithm for installing new disks on the Rav 4 looks like this:

1. The wheel is removed, the caliper is freed from the fasteners and suspended from the spring so that it is not held by the brake hoses.
2. The bracket is also released (two bolts are unscrewed with a key “17”).
3. Dismantled elements (including guides) are cleaned with a wire brush and, if necessary, replaced with new ones.
4. The disc is removed from the hub; you can tap it lightly with a hammer from the inside.
5. The parts most susceptible to souring are lubricated.
6. After replacing the brake disc and installing the bracket, the pads are returned to their place so that they fit into the corresponding grooves.

We remove the disk, install a new one, lubricate the guides and reassemble. The structure is assembled in the reverse order. A similar procedure is performed on the other side.