[bushman1]

Are there any special tool required to replace rear brake pads and or rotors on a 2007 Toyota Camry SE 6cyl. Didn't know if I needed anything special to colapse the pistons to replace the pads.
Thanks, Craig

[KISS]

Pull the wheel real quick and look for fasteners and sizes. One Toyota I owned, used just a small hex head bolt and things flipped out of the way.

The only likely tool you will need is at least a 4" "C" clamp. Again best to check dimensions. You can use an old pad, so the clamp needs to be about a pad thickness + the distance to the back of the caliper.

Take the master cylinder cover off when collapsing the piston.

Remember to use jack stands or a scissors jack. A dab of white lithium grease may be needed on pressure points if there are any.

Kitch may have specific recommendations.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Here are the tools I would use:

. Brake Caliper Wind Back Tool. Sometimes, you can get by using a pair of large needle-nose pliers.

. Disc Brake Pad Spreader, if wind back tool is not required on your car:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003b

. One-Man Bleeder (Cal-Van Tools, No. 247) for changing all of the brake fluid. This is an ideal time to do it.

A few specialized brake tools make the job easier and more enjoyable. You'll use these tools for years.

[kitch428]

The Toyota brake pads have been vastly improved for the rear calipers on the '07 Camry. Before they had premature wear and were noisy depending on your driving pattern.
Go to Toyota and ask for the improved pads. You can do this yourself with just basic tools. The pistons push back with ease using channel lock pliers or C clamp and follow what kiss said above.
Again, I would highly recommend using OEM pads doing this. Don't forget to install the backing shims onto the new pads.

[KISS]

Toyota's pads are incredible without going to specialty rotors and pads. In general nothing beats Toyota's quality. Aftermarket oil filters I used once had less holes for oil flow. Never again.

Kitch, txgreasmonkey, CaptainRich. Happy holidays. You guys are great I own a 2000 Solara, so there isn't much to do. Although I did have a valve cover gasket replaced recently by Toyota. What's up with that? Discounted at 15 P&L plus free rental (28 YO customer). They take care of me. I had about $2K of work done, of which, the brake job (new rotors, bleeders, flush, brakes; front; Tires-M choice, Xmission flush, oil flush) I could have handled the brakes - chose not too. What am I saving? About $100?

[kitch428]

About that much. You done good! Hey, Happy New Year you guys. The valve cover gasket shrinks over time being made of rubber and the sealant also breaks down on the tight sealing areas.
That's all, just wear and tear. It's just a machine like anything else mechanical.

[KISS]

Yup, always do good.

I got Pirelli P4's too. Nice tires. Been running the series and it's predicessors (P4000, P400) since I hydroplaned about 30' on the original Dunlap tires.

Now I can do iced bridges, light snow, mud and rain without issues. Just have to remember to traction control off.

I did the yearly valve adjustments on my 82 Celica. The valve cover was really cool. Bushings so you can remove and the slide the cover to break the seal and an oval O ring to seal. Loved it.

I kept on hand, the cam cover caps, the bushings, the o ring, the cam follower screw and nuts on hand when I did the repair. Replaced as needed.

So, I guess in the Solara, this is a weak point. I know I also need to do a crankcase flush periodically in that engine.

Any other weak points on that car?

So far everything is holding up well: Two oxygen sensors and a two batteries are the only odd repairs. Periodic dome light replacement. Guess they should make a LED version.

No heated seats. I could add that. I also can't see the bottom dash lights easy because of how I have to have the steering wheel. Driving with the brake on can easily happen.
Eventually, I want to put a speed switch on the spedometer sensor and beep if the parking brake is set. Bought the speed switch. Needs putting together and some glue logic added and put into a case. Too many other priorities.

[broncojoe]

There is a video of how to replace brake pads and rotors on a 2007 toyota camry at www.teach-me-auto.com

[jeff_collision]

You need this three tools for that purpose
New brake bads
Piston caliper tool
Brake fluid

Remove the old Brake Pads
Park your car on a level surface. If you have a stick shift car make sure the car is in gear. Place blocks in front of the front tires so the car does not move while you are working on it.

Open the hood of your car and locate the master cylinder If necessary, remove brake fluid until the level in the container is less than half full. A turkey baster is a good tool for this. Put the brake fluid in the plastic container and dispose of it the way you dispose of motor oil.

Raise the rear end of your car with your car jack. Remove the rear tire or wheel assembly.

Use the socket wrench to remove the caliper mounting bolts. Slide the caliper off the disc rotor and hang it in the wheel well with a small bungee cord or wire hanger. Do not let the caliper hang from the brake hose.

Remove the brake pads from the caliper. Also remove any shims, springs, wear indicators and support plates from the caliper.
Install the new Brake Pads

Return the support plates to the caliper bracket. Place the wear indicators from the old brake pads on the new brake pads making sure the arrow on the indicator plate points in the direction the tire rotates. Place the shims on the outside of each brake pad and insert the pads into the caliper bracket.

Use the recommended piston caliper tool to turn the caliper piston clockwise while pressing it into the caliper bore. Place the caliper over the brake pads. Insert and tighten the caliper mounting bolts.

Replace the wheel assembly (tire). Lower the car to the ground.
Pump the brake pedal a few times to seat the brake pads. Do this before trying to move your car.

Add fluid to the master cylinder container to replace any you removed before you removed the old brake pads.

Season the brake pads by making only gentle stops when you are driving for the first week after you install the new brake pads. Try not to do any hard stopping when you are seasoning the brakes.