How to Remove Brake Rotors From a 2003 Toyota Corolla

Toyota recommends having your rotors ground every time you replace the brake pads on your 2003 Corolla. Most machine shops charge less to grind the rotors when they are off the car, giving you an incentive to remove them. However, when the rotors get too thin, they should not be ground but rather replaced. Thin rotors tend to overheat or even ripple, causing the car to shimmy and shake when you brake.

Instructions

1

Remove the hub cap with your fingers or a screwdriver. Loosen the lug nuts slightly with a lug wrench. Lift the wheel off the ground with a jack. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel.

2

Remove the two bolts on the back side of the brake caliper with a socket wrench. Remove the brake caliper and prop it out of the way behind the disc brake.It will still be attached by the flexible brake line.

3

Slide the brake shoes out of the brake mount with your fingers, being careful not to get oil or grease on them. Remove the two bolts on the back side of the brake mount. Remove the brake mount and set it aside with its screws.

4

Remove the cotter pin from the axle by bending it straight with a screwdriver, then pulling it out with pliers. Slide the nut cover off of the axle. Remove the large nut underneath the cover with a wrench or channel lock pliers.

5

Pull the rotor off of the axle, being careful to catch the wheel bearings. Wipe the grease off the bearings. Clean the inside of the rotor with a rag.