How to Install Brake Pads on a 1997 Toyota Corolla

In 1993, Toyota completely redesigned to Corolla, giving it a rounded and more modern look. This body design lasted through the 1997 model year. The 1997 Corolla came standard with a 100-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The only brake system available on the 1997 Corolla used front discs and rear drums. Knowing how to replace the disc brake pads on your 1997 Corolla can save you a lot of money over the life of the car.

Instructions

1

Open the brake master cylinder reservoir and siphon out about half of the brake fluid, using a turkey baster. Transfer this fluid to a small container.

2

Loosen, but do not remove, the Corolla's front lug nuts, using a ratchet and socket.

3

Raise the front of the Corolla with a floor jack. Set jack stands under the vehicle's subframe and lower the Toyota until only the jack stands support its weight.

4

Remove the front lug nuts and pull the front wheels from the Corolla.

5

Position an 8-inch C-clamp over the caliper, so the screw part of the clamp touches the outer brake pad and the fixed part touches the rear of the caliper body. Tighten the C-clamp until it stops moving and remove the C-clamp. This retracts the caliper's internal piston.

6

Remove the caliper bolts on the rear of the Corolla's caliper, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the caliper up and off of the rotor. Suspend the caliper from a nearby suspension component with a bungee strap or coat hanger.

7

Grab the anti-squeal pins -- the "W" shaped wires on the rear of the pads -- and pull them out. Pull the old brake pads out of the grooves in the caliper bracket. Remove the two bolts on the rear of the caliper bracket, using a ratchet and socket, and remove the caliper bracket.

8

Grab the rotor and pull it off of the Corolla's hub. If the rotor does not pull off easily, lightly tap the rear of the rotor with a rubber mallet to free it.

9

Inspect the rotor for any visual imperfections, such as: deep grooves, grinding, hot spotting or a mirror-like shine. If any imperfections exist, replace the rotor with a new one. If no imperfections exist, place the rotor back on the hub.

10

Install a new rotor, if needed, and set the caliper bracket back over the rotor. Tighten the caliper bracket bolts to 65 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

11

Install the new brake pads in the caliper bracket and insert the anti-squeal pins into the holes on the rear of both pads. Coat the rear of the brake pads with disc brake grease to prevent high-pitch squeals.

12

Remove the bungee strap from the caliper and set the caliper on the caliper bracket. Tighten the caliper bolts to 25 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

13

Repeat steps 5 through 12 for the pads on the other side of the Corolla.

14

Reinstall the Corolla's front wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the Corolla off of the jack stands, using a floor jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the Toyota to the ground.

15

Tighten the lug nuts to 80 foot-pounds in a crisscrossing pattern, using a torque wrench and socket.

16

Check the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir and fill it to the "Max" line with DOT 3 brake fluid, if needed. Close the master cylinder reservoir cap.

17

Press and release the brake pedal until it feels firm under your foot.