How to Replace 2003 Toyota Corolla Rear Brakes

The 2003 Toyota Corolla was equipped with four-wheel disc brakes. The rear brakes, consisting of the brake calipers, rotors and pads, provide traction stability for the Corolla while braking. Without rear brakes, the back end of the car would tend to swing to one side or the other when the brakes are applied. Although the rear brakes don't perform as much work as the front brakes, they still wear out and need replacing. If you have basic automotive repair experience, you can replace the rear brakes on your 2003 Toyota Corolla and get back to driving with a few extra dollars in your pocket.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• 2 wheel chocks
• Lug wrench
• Floor jack
• 2 jack stands
• Drip pan
• Brake cleaner
• Socket set
• White lithium grease
• Caliper tool
• Torque wrench

1. • 1

     Set the wheel chocks in front of and behind the right-front wheel to prevent the Corolla from rolling. Loosen the rear lug nuts with the lug wrench, but do not remove them.

   • 2

     Lift the rear of the Corolla into the air with the floor jack and support it with jack stands. Remove the rear lug nuts and wheels by hand.

   • 3

     Set the drip pan underneath the right-rear brake assembly, and clean the brakes thoroughly with brake cleaner spray. Unbolt the brake caliper, lift it off the rotor and remove the pads from the caliper by hand.

   • 4

     Rinse the inside of the caliper with brake cleaner. Make sure to remove all the built up brake dust, road dirt and old grease. Apply a layer of white lithium grease to the caliper slide pins.

   • 5

     Move the pistons back into the caliper with the caliper tool. Insert the replacement brake pads by hand and slide the caliper back over the rotor.

   • 6

     Thread the caliper bolts in by hand and then tighten them with the socket set.

   • 7

     Move to the other side and perform the same process on the left-rear brakes. Put the wheels and lug nuts back on by hand. Lower the Corolla off the jack stands and then tighten the lug nuts to 85 foot-lb. using the torque wrench.