🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

The rear brake pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both at the same time gives you a smooth pedal and even braking. On your Corolla, this is a straightforward rear disc brake job if the parking brake is fully released before you start.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the car.
• Never rely on a jack alone. Support the rear with jack stands.
• Make sure the parking brake is fully released before removing the rear rotors.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Use brake cleaner only in a well-ventilated area. Brake dust is harmful to breathe.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• C-clamp
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake before lifting.
• Break the rear wheel lug nuts loose before raising the vehicle.
• After the car is lifted, release the parking brake fully so the rotors can come off.
• Tip: Keep left and right parts separate.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the rear wheel nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear wheel nuts one turn each, but do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and support the rear of the car

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of the car at the proper center lift point.
• Place jack stands under the rear support points and lower the car onto them.
• Remove the rear wheels with the 21mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the two caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord or caliper hanger.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle and set it aside.

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• If the rotor is stuck, make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to back off the parking brake adjustment through the access hole if needed.
• Pull the rotor off the hub. If needed, tap it lightly from the back side with a rubber mallet.

Step 6: Clean and inspect the hub

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner and wipe it clean.
• A clean hub prevents rotor wobble.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Install the new rotor on the hub and make sure it seats flat.
• If your rotor has retaining screws, install them with the proper small driver if supplied with the parts.

Step 8: Install the caliper bracket

• Reinstall the caliper bracket with the 17mm socket.
• Torque to 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Install the new brake pads

• Remove the old pad clips and install the new hardware from the kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and slide areas.
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 10: Compress and reinstall the caliper

• Use a C-clamp to slowly compress the caliper piston.
• Install the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Reinstall the caliper slide bolts with the 14mm socket.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall the wheels

• Put the wheels back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts with the 21mm socket.
• Lower the car to the ground.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

Step 12: Set the pedal before driving

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check that the parking brake works properly.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the car and confirm the brake warning light is off.
• Test the brakes slowly in a safe area first.
• Listen for rubbing or scraping noises.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops so the pads can bed in properly.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $400-$700 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $140-$260 (parts only)

You Save: $260-$440 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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