I finally pulled the trigger on the big brake upgrade mod! Every Avalon enthusiast has read about it, and everyone who’s done it, wishes they had done it sooner. But for the unfamiliar, let me break it down.
The Avalon is a nearly perfect automobile, as every Avalon owner will attest. But as Toyota’s largest sedan (before the Crown came on the scene, at least) it comes stock with a one-piston caliper which is adequate, but leaves a little room for improvement.
As it so happens, the two-piston caliper of the Highlander (2010-1019) has the same bolt pattern, and that is the essence of the big brake upgrade; swap the Avalon’s calipers and rotors for those from the Highlander. We add a steel brake line to support the added muscle.
This upgrade is for the front wheels only, but that’s pretty much where the brunt of stopping power lives. My Avalon is a 2013 4th Gen. so I can’t speak to whether this modification is in the cards for earlier generations, but do a little digging; the truth is out there. I went with parts for a 2013 Highlander, although a range of years use the same components.
Overall, the job went smoothly. Be sure to understand where the clips go on the brake pads. There are two sets of clips that come with the brake pads; eight of one kind, four of another. The eight are easy enough to understand. They go into the caliper and the pads seat in them. But the other four can be a bit puzzling. One each will go on the topmost ear of each brake pad. This is the ‘leading’ edge, so that the rotor turning forward encounters this first. These let you know when your brakes need to be changed.
Here’s a little step-by-step guide with torque values, etc, courtesy ChatGPT: download (pdf)
Here’s my parts list:
| Front Right Brake CaliperPart Number: 47730-0E031 | 1 | $211.82 |
| Front Left Brake Caliper Part Number: 47750-0E031 | 1 | $209.75 |
| Front Brake Rotor Part Number: 43512-0E030 | 2 | $136.26 |
| Stoptech Centric 950.44015 Brake Line Kit | 1 | $53.81 |
| Akebono-ACT1324A Ultra-Premium Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pads | 1 | $64.78 |
| Prestone AS800Y DOT 4 Synthetic Brake Fluid – 12 oz. | 2 | $12.44 |
| CRC Brakleen 1003695 Brake Cleaner Spray Non-Chlorinated Low VOC, 14 oz, [1 Pack] | 1 | $5.98 |
| Permatex 20354 Ceramic Extreme Brake Lubricant – 5 oz. | 1 | $15.90 |
| CRC 05017 Disc Brake Quiet – 9 Wt Oz. | 1 | $11.32 |
| Kroil Original Penetrating Oil (Aerosol Spray-10oz Can-Single) | 1 | $23.58 |
I purchased all new OEM parts, but re-manufactured parts may be more reasonably priced. I also painted my calipers a gunmetal grey which is classy, but somewhat understated. That’s a whole other project in and of itself.
Bigger rotor and caliper.
Of course you need to bleed the brakes beginning farthest from the master cylinder: RR, LR, RF, LF. Be sure to add some brake fluid before you start and keep an eye out that the master cylinder doesn’t run dry. To bed the new pads: 6-8 moderate stops (40 to 10 mph) plus 2-3 firm stops (60 to 20 mph); then drive to cool before parking.
So what difference did it make? I somehow worried it would make the brakes ‘grabby’ but that was not it at all. It’s the same normal pedal feel, but it’s as if the car has a huge confidence boost when stopping. You don’t need to stop short, because you’re stopping as you intended, not rolling up on the other car stopped at the traffic light, faster than you’d planned. It’s so very satisfyingly solid. That’s the best way I can describe it.
Lol, do I need a disclaimer here? I had originally approached my mechanic about doing this work for me, but he wasn’t comfortable installing equipment that wasn’t stock for the Avalon, so I guess it’s prudent. Kind of sucks that we live in such a day and age, but what can you do?
DISCLAIMER: As with any hobbyist car repair or mechanical work, 100% of the responsibility for your safety is on you. I don’t know your equipment or your skill level, so let’s be clear that I’m not ‘recommending’ that you do anything. You do you. I’m just telling you about my experience and approach. This isn’t an endorsement. Brakes are serious business, and a car is not a toy. The Avalon is a wonderful automobile, and the stock equipment is more than adequate for your stopping needs.