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Thanks to this post and links to highlander forum (clutchless strikes again), changed my front brakes with powerstop evolution carbonfiber/ceramic pads and drilled/slotted rotors z23 kit from Amazon. Extremely satisfied.

Clutchless

Thanks! Always glad to share the knowledge! I almost got the Powerstop Z23, let us know if you think they grab faster after they are broken in.

I too just changed my front rotors and pads and rear pads and used Raybestos Advanced Technology Rotors and their new EHT Element 3 hybrid brake pads that somehow combine the attributes of a semi-metallic and ceramic pad. They are just getting broken in, but appear to be excellent. Raybestos provides all new hardware! http://www.element3eht.com/magnoliaPublic/home.html

My OEM front pads were only half worn at 40,000 miles, but after 5 years the rotors were rusted so badly the Virginia state safety inspector (we do this annually) recommended I replace them and asked if I had vibrations. Since this was the second year an inspector had commented on the rusty front rotors, I decided it was time to replace them The Raybestos ones have a black coating on the usually bare metal areas to prevent rust.

I did notice that a few of my caliper slide pins were practically glued stuck in the rotors and really benefited from being cleaned and recoated with Sli-Glide caliper pin grease! Two were very difficult to pull out.
I need to check the pins on my HS250h!

MarinRX

Edit: I’m and idiot and figured the back and front were the same configuration, which they are not. OP laid out the steps for the rear brakes perfectly and the linked Highlander thread has the right steps and config for the front. The front pads should have the wear indicator clips on the top and the rear pads should have the wear clips on the bottom. Also just FYI if you do the caliper pin clean/lube the location of the pin with the black gasket at the end is also different front/rear. The front calipers have it on the bottom while the rear calipers have it on the top (so reverse of the wear clips). You can ignore my below comments if you follow this configuration (which both posts have correct). I corrected the front pads and they work just fine now.

Great write up, thanks for this! Just did mine (front and back) with the same EHT-3 pads the last replier used.

Everything seems fine except every once in awhile when starting to brake I’ll hear a single knock from what I think is the front passenger side of the car.

I was going over everything in my head that it could be and wondering if one of the pads didn’t get seated correctly in the new hardware provided with them? I originally installed them with the wear clips on top as I thought that’s how I saw them installed on the pads I removed but as this guide indicated they should be on the bottom I went and flipped them which is when I first hear the knock on a test drive. If it continues I’ll pop the wheel off to check but interested in any thoughts from this forum.

Also the front drive side has a little scratching/squealing sound (very minor, if I have the window up I can’t hear it) when driving slow). I’m assuming that could be part of the break in process as I have less than 5 miles on these pads but also open to thoughts.