Help! – Changing rear brake pads on 96 Camry

[Lloyd]

Hi all,

I have changed the brake pads on a few cars without too much issue. However, today i was trying to help out my Dad and change the brake pads and rotors on his 1996 Camry and i ran into some issues.

The first thing i saw was that the caliper only had a single bolt that could be unfastened. Some research online led me to understand these calipers only need 1 bolt removed and open like a clam shell whilst the the other end is held in place by a pivoting slide pin. This was all good and fine and it opened up nicely like a clamp shell and i was able to slot the new pads in comfortably.

However, i ran into issues when i was trying to close the caliper as i simply could not get it to close (and yes i did push the piston all the way back, and it’s not rubbing against anything as there is a gap between the piston and pads). I understand these types of calipers can move around at the pivoting slide pin and i was able to move it around to try and get it to fit, but regardless of how much i moved it the pads seemed too thick for the caliper. I must have missed something here and would appreciate any help. I have some pictures below that i took, with a red arrow showing the part which wont close:

https://postimg.org/image/ws1k0s3pt/ (caliper that i cant get to fit with the pads)

https://postimg.org/image/n4udger1d/ (Piston pushed all the way back).

I tried with both Bendix and Genuine Toyota brake pads and the result was still the same.

Any help is appreciated as i am assuming i have missed something here.

Thanks.

Topic

[Gary]

I don’t see the pics. The only thing I can think of is if the discs have never been machined the outside edge of the rim that the pads do not contact build up rust and this might be what is preventing the new pads from slipping over. If it is a new rotor then measure the thickness with a vernier to make sure it is within spec and not to thick.

[Lloyd]

Sorry. I added links for the pics to the original post. I asked on another forum here in Australia as well and people said the caliper bolt that you remove connects to a slide pin on the caliper which can be pushed in and out. I wasn’t able to push it but maybe i just need to grease it. I will try this tomorrow and see if i can push it in and make it fit so i can get the bolt back in.

One other question i had was that this car has an adjusted wheel for the emergency brake shoes. Is it necessary that i adjust this when replacing the rotors, or can i just leave it at the current adjustment?

[Gary]

Ok now I know what you talking about lol. Yes that bit slides in and out. I would adjust the parking brake. With a new drum I would change the shoes really.

[Isaias Almanza]

What he said. LOL

In your first picture, push back that bushing the arrow is pointing at and the caliper will drop down and into place.

[EricTheCarGuy]

In addition to what’s been said, just push the slider back to pivot the caliper, I’d suggest lubricating those sliders with silicone paste. It’s available on this website on the Tools page. It will help prevent the pins from seizing and keep the brakes operating properly. More info here.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-brake-problems

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Author]

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