How to replace the front brake backing plate 2011-2017 Toyota Camry

To replace the front brake backing plate on your Camry just follow the steps. You will be asked to lift the vehicle, remove the brake system, manipulate the wheel hub as well as carry out a few other steps. You can carry out this tutorial of 20 chapters in 90 minutes. Take your 30 mm socket and your 22 mm wrench and let’s get started!

Duration

90 minutes

Number of steps

Difficulty out of 5

Average savings

$170

Parts You Will Need

Tools You Will Need

Step-by-Step Installation

Chapter 1:

Loosen the wheel hub nut

Step 1/4

Turn your engine off and set the parking brake.

Chapter 1:

Step 2/4

We recommend loosening the nut on the end of the CV axle once the vehicle is on the ground. If your vehicle is equipped with aluminum rims, you will need to remove the wheel first before you can remove the central rim cover.

Chapter 1:

Step 3/4

Use a breaker bar and a 30mm socket to unblock the nut on the end of the CV axle.

Chapter 1:

Step 4/4

Loosen the stud bolts on the front wheels.

Chapter 2:

Lift the vehicle

Step 1/3

Lift the front of your vehicle.

Chapter 2:

Step 2/3

Place the vehicle on the jack stands.

Chapter 2:

Step 3/3

Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!

Chapter 3:

Remove the wheel hub nut

Step 1/1

Finish unscrewing the nut on the end of the CV axle.

Chapter 4:

Remove the brake system

Step 1/5

It is now necessary to remove the caliper assembly. Turn the disc outwards, this will facilitate the following steps.

Chapter 4:

Step 2/5

Using a socket wrench and a 17mm socket, unscrew the two holding screws on the caliper mount.

Chapter 4:

Step 3/5

Tip: attach a piece of electrical cable, or a hook, to one of the strut spring coils

Chapter 4:

Step 4/5

Remove the caliper assembly, and hang it on the hook.

Chapter 4:

Step 5/5

Then remove the disc.

Chapter 5:

Remove the ABS sensor

Step 1/2

Using a ratchet, an extender and an 10 mm socket, unscrew the ABS sensor’s retaining bolt.

Chapter 5:

Step 2/2

Then, remove the sensor.

Chapter 6:

Remove the outer tie rod

Step 1/5

It is now time to remove the outer tie rod from the knuckle.

Chapter 6:

Step 2/5

Remove the cotter pin from the castellated nut of the outer tie rod with a screwdriver.

Chapter 6:

Step 3/5

Using a socket wrench and a 17mm socket, unscrew the outer tie rod holding nut.

Chapter 6:

Step 4/5

If you do not have a ball joint puller, a tool specifically designed for this task, take a hammer and hit the knuckle.

Chapter 6:

Step 5/5

The ball joint should come out of the knuckle.

Chapter 7:

Loosen the lower ball joint

Step 1/4

Using a flat head screwdriver, unfold the cotter pin from the castle nut of the lower ball joint.

Chapter 7:

Step 2/4

Then, remove it using pliers.

Chapter 7:

Step 3/4

Brush the nut of the lower ball joint and spray it with penetrating oil.

Chapter 7:

Step 4/4

Unscrew the nut a few threads using a 19mm wrench.

Chapter 8:

Loosen the strut foot

Step 1/5

Brush the 2 strut foot bolts, then spray them with penetrating oil.

Chapter 8:

Step 2/5

Next, using a ratchet, a 22mm socket and a 22mm wrench to prevent the bolt from rotating, unscrew the strut foot nuts.

Chapter 8:

Step 3/5

Then remove the bolts.

Chapter 8:

Step 4/5

You can use a pin punch and a plastic mallet.

Chapter 8:

Step 5/5

Separate the strut foot from the wheel knuckle by prying it using a large screwdriver.

Chapter 9:

Remove the wheel knuckle

Step 1/4

The wheel knuckle is now free. Then shift the wheel knuckle by disengaging it from the front CV axle.

Chapter 9:

Step 2/4

Finish unscrewing the nut of the lower ball joint, then remove the lower ball joint from the wheel knuckle.

Chapter 9:

Step 3/4

You can use a hammer to help you.

Chapter 9:

Step 4/4

Remove the wheel knuckle.

Chapter 10:

Remove the brake backing plate bolts

Step 1/2

Using a 10mm wrench, unscrew the 4 bolts holding the brake backing plate.

Chapter 10:

Step 2/2

Then, remove them.

Chapter 11:

Manipulate the wheel hub

Step 1/2

However, to remove the backing plate and install the new one, you will need to remove the wheel hub using a hydraulic press.

Chapter 11:

Step 2/2

Removing the wheel hub always damages the wheel bearing, hence the need to replace it at the same time.

Chapter 12:

Put the backing plate back

Step 1/5

Take the brake backing plate.

Chapter 12:

Step 2/5

Be careful not to make the mistake of installing the wheel hub before putting the brake backing plate back in place.

Chapter 12:

Step 3/5

If you do, you will need to remove the wheel hub again, and necessarily replace your wheel bearing again.

Chapter 12:

Step 4/5

Then screw the 4 bolts back on.

Chapter 12:

Step 5/5

Put the wheel knuckle back onto the lower ball joint. Then loosely screw the nut back on.

Chapter 13:

Reinstall the strut in the wheel knuckle

Step 1/4

You must now fit the CV axle back into the wheel knuckle. Insert the wheel knuckle into the strut foot. Replace the bolts.

Reinstall the strut in the wheel knuckle

Chapter 13:

Step 2/4

Then screw the nuts back on, by hand at first.

Chapter 13:

Step 3/4

Screw the strut foot nuts back on until they make contact, using a ratchet, a 22mm socket, and a 22mm wrench to prevent the bolt from rotating.

Chapter 13:

Step 4/4

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 14:

Put the outer tie rod back

Step 1/8

Using a wire brush, scrub the knuckle of the wheel knuckle, then apply silicone grease to the flat part that will be in contact with the sleeve of the outer tie rod.