How to Replace the Rear Brakes on a Corolla

Rear disc brakes were offered as an upgrade for the Corolla.

The Toyota Corolla was offered with an upgrade for a disc brake system on the rear wheels. Disc brakes slow a vehicle down by squeezing two pads together on either side of a spinning disc. The resulting friction reduces the speed of the spinning discs. This in turn slows down the wheels of the vehicle and allows you to stop the car. This article is a guide to replace the rear disc brakes of a Toyota Corolla for the models 1992 to 1996.

Things You'll Need

• Jack
• 2 jack stands
• Lug nut wrench
• Plastic tube
• Special tool SST 09719-14020
• Ratchet and socket set
• New brake pads and included hardware
• Torque wrench
• DOT 3 brake fluid

Instructions

Removal

1. Prepare a floor jack and a set of jack stands. Park your car on level ground and turn off the engine. Position a floor jack under the rear of the vehicle and raise it up. Put the jack stands under the car and lower the vehicle down onto them.

2. Remove both rear wheels by loosening the lug nuts with a lug nut wrench. Set the lug nuts and wheels aside.

3. Raise the hood of the vehicle and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap. The reservoir is on the driver side of the engine compartment towards the rear. Use a plastic tube and siphon off approximately 3 oz. of brake fluid. This will keep it from overflowing when removing the brakes.

4. Go back to the rear wheel area. Use special tool to rotate the brake piston in a clockwise position. While rotating, push inwards on the piston until it stops with a click. Ask your auto-parts store for special tool SST 09719-14020 or something that will suffice equally.

5. Locate the two caliper mounting bolts. You only need to remove the lower one. Use a ratchet to loosen and remove this bolt. For the top bolt, only loosen it. At this point, you can rotate the caliper up and away and it will give you access to the brake pads.

6. Remove the brake pad assembly (pads, anti-squeal shims, and support plates). Pull them off by hand. Be sure to note the position of these parts so you can reinstall the new parts in the same position.

Installation

1. Gather all the new brake pads and parts. Put these pieces together to create a new brake pad assembly.

2. Reinstall both brake pad assemblies onto the brake caliper. They will lock into place by hand.

3. Grasp the caliper and brake pad assembly and lower it down onto the brake disc. Be sure to line the caliper up with the lower mounting bolt hole.

4. Install the lower caliper mounting bolt and tighten it with a torque wrench. Torque the bolt to 14 foot-pounds.

5. Reinstall both rear wheels and tighten the lug nuts with a lug nut wrench. Raise the vehicle enough to pull out the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground and remove the floor jack.

6. Refill the brake fluid reservoir to the full line with DOT 3 brake fluid. Close the hood. Step on the brake pedal and push it down as far as it will go. Repeat this step five times to allow the brakes to self adjust.

7. Test-drive the vehicle to check that the brakes are operating properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to keep all bearing surfaces clean of dirt and water. This will ensure longer bearing life.

References

• "Chilton's Import Car Repair Manual: 1996 to 2000"; Kevin M.G. Maher; 1999

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish