2016 Toyota 4Runner Brake Pad Replacement — Front + Rear, KDSS Suspension Note

I've done brakes on the fifth-gen 4Runner multiple times, and it's a solid job — with one exception that catches people on Trail and Limited trims: the KDSS hydraulic suspension system. Here's how to do the full brake job correctly with the KDSS callout where it matters.

Overview

The 2016 Toyota 4Runner uses a 4.0L 1GR-FE V6 (all trims). Brake specs are the same regardless of 4WD/2WD. What changes the brake procedure: whether your 4Runner has KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) — a hydraulic front/rear sway bar disconnect available on Trail, Limited, and TRD Pro trims.

Check for KDSS: look at the front and rear sway bar end links. KDSS-equipped trucks have hydraulic cylinders that look like small shock absorbers. Non-KDSS trucks have standard end links.

Tools & Parts Needed

Front Brake Pads

Item	Spec / Part Number
Brake pads (front)	Akebono ASP1240A or Toyota 04465-60190
Caliper bolt torque	25 ft-lb (34 Nm)
Caliper carrier torque	90 ft-lb (122 Nm)

Rear Brake Pads

Item	Spec / Part Number
Brake pads (rear)	Akebono ACT952B or Toyota 04466-60110
Caliper bolt torque	25 ft-lb (34 Nm)
Caliper carrier torque	57 ft-lb (77 Nm)

Tools needed: floor jack + stands, 19mm socket (lug nuts), 12mm socket (front caliper guide pins), 14mm socket (rear caliper guide pins), torque wrench, flat piston compression tool (both axles use push-in pistons), brake cleaner, high-temp lubricant, wire brush, turkey baster.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Front Pads

1. Loosen front lug nuts before lifting. Lift and support, remove wheels.
2. Extract 40–60ml brake fluid from reservoir with a turkey baster.
3. Remove caliper — two 12mm hex guide pin bolts on inboard side. Hang from coil spring, never on the brake hose.
4. Remove front pads from carrier clips.
5. Clean carrier slide surfaces, apply brake lubricant to contact surfaces (not rotor face).
6. Compress front piston straight in with a C-clamp or flat compression tool.
7. Install new pads, reinstall caliper, torque guide pin bolts to 25 ft-lb (34 Nm).
8. Pump brake pedal until firm.

Rear Pads

Steps 1–5 identical to front (loosen lugs, lift, extract fluid, remove caliper, remove pads, clean carrier).

6. Compress rear piston straight in — the 4Runner rear caliper uses a standard single hydraulic piston, not a thread-in type. Push straight in with flat compression tool.
7. Install new rear pads. Reinstall caliper, torque guide pin bolts to 25 ft-lb (34 Nm).
8. Apply and release parking brake twice to seat rear pads.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the KDSS actuator bleed after rear suspension work on Trail/Limited 4Runners. During rear caliper service, if you apply significant lateral force to the rear axle (pry bar on carrier, or working suspension through full travel with weight off the axle), the KDSS hydraulic actuators can lose pressure. A depressurized KDSS system causes the sway bars to free-float, resulting in excessive body roll. If you notice unusual handling after rear brake work on a KDSS-equipped 4Runner, the fix is a KDSS bleed procedure using a Tech-Stream scanner — take it to a Toyota dealer or qualified independent shop. On a simple pad swap you won't encounter this, but if you're also doing wheel bearings or axle work simultaneously, keep it in mind.

Pro Tips

• Akebono ceramic pads (ASP1240A front, ACT952B rear) are OEM-quality, run quieter, and produce less dust than most aftermarket options.
• Pull caliper slide pins and regrease during the pad change on 100,000+ mile 4Runners — seized pins cause uneven one-sided wear.
• Check rotor thickness against minimum specs stamped on the rotor edge (front typically 28mm; rear 16mm).
• 4Runner rotors rust heavily on the hat (center hub area) — clean with a wire wheel before remounting.

Save Money with OwnerDrop

A 4-corner brake job at a shop runs $400–$700 in labor plus parts. DIY with Akebono pads costs $80–$130 in parts. You're saving $300–$600.

For related 4Runner maintenance, the 2017 Toyota Highlander brake pad replacement guide covers the same Toyota caliper design and lubrication procedure. See the 2019 Toyota RAV4 spark plug replacement guide if you're also due for a tune-up.

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