why does my Toyota Highlander shudder when the brakes are applied

Solution

1. Preparation

• Gather all necessary tools and parts.
• Safely elevate the vehicle using a jack and secure it on jack stands.
• Wear safety goggles and gloves.

2. Remove Wheel

• Use a lug wrench to loosen and remove the lug nuts.
• Take off the wheel to access the brake assembly.

3. Inspect and Replace Brake Pads

• Remove the caliper by loosening the caliper bolts with a socket wrench.
• Slide the caliper off the rotor and support it (do not let it hang by the brake line).
• Remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket.
• Clean the caliper bracket with brake cleaner.
• Install new brake pads, ensuring they are properly seated.

4. Resurface or Replace Rotors

• Check the rotor surface using a dial indicator; if warped, either resurface or replace the rotors.
• If resurfacing, mount the rotors on a brake lathe and follow the manufacturer's specifications for thickness.
• If replacing, install new rotors, ensuring they are properly torqued to manufacturer specifications.

5. Reassemble

• Reattach the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Tighten the caliper bolts to the specified torque.
• Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

6. Final Checks

• Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts to the specified value.
• Pump the brake pedal to ensure proper pad seating against the rotor.