How to Change Brakes on a 2004 Corolla

You need to change the brakes on your 2004 Toyota Corolla by 80,000 miles, but your driving style may require you to change them at an earlier date. Any sound of grinding on the brakes will instantly tell you to change them. The brake pads within the two front brake calipers must maintain a steady balance, so you must change the brakes for both wheels together. Each caliper uses two pads, and changing them is much like the process with other vehicles.

Instructions

Removal

1

Open the brake master cylinder reservoir inside the engine compartment to relieve the pressure in the reservoir.

2

Raise the Corolla on its front end and support it on jack stands, then remove both front wheels.

3

Push the piston within the brake caliper using a C-clamp. This will cause the brake fluid to flow back into the master cylinder and reservoir; observe the level and siphon out fluid with an unused turkey baster, if needed, to prevent overflow.

4

Wash off the entire brake disc and caliper assembly using a brake cleaner spray. Catch any residue, which can contain asbestos, into a drip pan.

5

Remove the bolts at the top and bottom of the brake caliper with your wrench and remove the caliper; don't touch the center bolt connecting the hose. Hang the caliper on the strut spring by a strong wire.

6

Pull both the inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket, which is still connected to the disc.

Installation

7

Pry the wear indicator off the old inner pad with a screwdriver, if it had one. Connect this indicator to the replacement inner pad.

8

Install the inner pad within the caliper bracket, making sure the pad's ears engage with the pad support plate. Repeat for the new outer brake pad.

9

Pull out the sliding pins into which the caliper bolts fit. Clean them off, coat them with high-temperature grease and install them back into the bracket.

10

Reconnect the caliper onto the bracket with its bolts, tightening the bolts to 25 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

11

Repeat the steps for the other caliper, then reconnect the wheels and lower the car.

12

Fill the brake fluid reservoir with extra fresh fluid if needed.

13

Press the brake pedal several times until it is firm.