Front OEM Brake Pad Problems

It was time to replace my front Brake Pads so I ordered the Toyota Pads. It was necessary to have the left front rotor machined but the right side was fine. I installed the right pads without any issue. When I went to tighten the lugs down on the wheel the wheel wouldn't turn. The left side was fine no issues at all but the right side was stiffening up when I went to tighten the lugs. The previous pads were an aftermarket brand and weren't worn too bad but I wanted to get freshend up on the front brakes. The aftermarket pads had a thin metal shield of some kind on the back of the pads which the pistons contacted. I pealed those off as there was some kind of adhesive on them and attached them to the new Toyota OEM Pads. Would this cause an issue with why the wheel is stiffening up when I tighten the lug nuts?

eventually took out the new pads and put the best of the old pads back in along with the metal shield back on and when I tightened the lugs back on the wheel turned freely. The OEM pads did not come with this metal shield but it is strange that on the left side it works fine with the OEM pads. The OEM part # is:04465-35290

2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport Trim V-6 2/4 wheel drive.

 

When you say the wheel wouldn’t turn was that like just free hand trying to spin it or like the car wouldn’t move when you tried driving it?

I bet on the one side that wouldn’t move the caliper piston wasn’t retracted all the way so it was just pushing the pad out just far enough to create enough friction to not be able spin the wheel.

I also don’t think you needed to transfer that metal backing plate. The new pads should come ready to pop in.

 

Both. The wheel wouldn't turn free hand and when I went to test drive it it was obvious something was not right as I needed to give it some gas before it would move. This caused a bit of heat friction too. I have seen these stainless steel shields on most brake pads. They clip onto the back of the pads and have tabs, two on the top and one of the bottom.

 

The calipers on 4th Gen 4Runners are known to have frozen/rusted caliper pistons. I have replaced my front calipers numerous times due to this issue. I would check that first.

 

The pad shims are to counter brake squeal. Aftermarket pads include new shims. OEM pads from the dealer don't (Toyota intends you to buy their shims separately).

Sounds like your caliper pistons are seized. Did you retract all 4 pistons? A C-clamp usually helps with the job. If a piston cannot be retracted, it's time to replace the caliper.

 

Yup yup, sounds like a frozen caliper

 

There are a handful of OEM pad numbers used over the years, some have 4 of the same pad with a wear sensor near the corner, some 2 different INNER pads that have a wear sensor hanging off a tab right in the middle of the pad. If this pad is installed in the outboard position, it will hit the rotor hat once the lugs are snugged up.