How to replace a rear disc brake caliper on a 2005 Scion tc

   I did the pads and rotors and pins on the 2005 Scion in August and by Nov. 15th the pads were worn out again. I am now suspicious of the caliper piston. I installed new pads and reassembled the wheel. It turns but there is a great deal less rotation than on the right rear, upon spinning the wheel by hand and releasing.
   So it is a bad caliper. They told me at Car Quest that the calipers are metal and they corrode and then stick.
 

   Disassembly
1) Block the front of the car
2) Break the rear lug nuts with a 21mm socket and breaker bar or a lug wrench.
3) Jack up the rear of the vehicle with floor jack. There is a U-Shaped piece welded onto the very middle of the crossmember that fits perfectly in the cup of a floor jack.

4) Put supports under each wheel . I used two 7” railroad ties placed right behind each wheel.
5) Lower vehicle onto supports.
6) Remove the wheel.
7) Have something ready to catch brake fluid and remove the hydraulic (banjo) fitting from the caliper with a     14mm socket.

Remove hydraulic fitting with 14mm socket.

8) Remove lower caliper pin with 17mm socket or wrench.

Removing the lower caliper pin

9)  Rotate the caliper upwards about 75 degrees and slip the caliper off the upper pin.

Swing the caliper up and then off the upper pin

10) The brake pad holder must be removed and returned for credit with the old caliper. Remove the two bolts with a 14mm socket. My pads and rotors are good at this time.

The caliper an pad bracket both go back as cores. Keep the banjo fitting.

Parts Procurement
 I located a rebuilt replacement caliper at Car Quest for $87 with exchange. It came with the bracket assembly and pins ready to go.

Reassembly

1) Transfer the pad hardware to the new bracket assembly.
2) Install the pad holder and torque to 29 ft lbs.
3) Install the brake pads.
4) Mount the new caliper by sliding it over the upper pin on the pad bracket. Seat the dust cover in the groove.
5) Bolt the lower (14mm) caliper pin and torque to 29 ft lbs.
6) Bolt the Hydraulic (banjo) fitting back on the caliper and torque to 21 ft lbs.
7) Bleed the brakes. Add brake fluid to the master cylinder reservoir if necessary. Remove the plastic bleeder cap and attach a 1/4" ID vinyl tubing. Submerge the other end of the tubing in fresh brake fluid in the bottom of small jar. While a helper depresses the brake pedal, then open the bleed port on the caliper with a 8mm wrench and let the fluid and air into the jar. Close the port and have them come off the brake. Repeat until there is no more air passing through the bleeder tubing.


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