brakes
Brake Drum - Rear
for 2017 Toyota Corolla 1.8L I4 · FWD
Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years
Difficulty
Easy
Time
30 min
Tools
10
Steps
8
✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.
This procedure covers removal and installation of the rear brake drums on a 2014-2019 Toyota Corolla with the 1.8L I4 engine.
Warnings
⚠️Brake drums can be extremely hot after driving. Allow at least 30 minutes cooling time before working on brakes.
⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.
⚠️Brake dust may contain asbestos in older components. Do not blow off dust with compressed air. Use brake cleaner or wet cleaning methods only.
⚠This is a safety-critical system. Any uncertainty during this procedure should result in seeking professional service. Brake failure can cause death or serious injury.
⚠If brake drums are excessively worn, scored, or cracked, they must be replaced. Measure drum diameter against service manual specifications.
Tools required
Floor jackEssential
Jack standsEssential
Wheel chocksEssential
Torque wrenchEssential
19mm or 21mm socket (for lug nuts)Essential
Rubber mallet
Penetrating oil
Wire brush
Brake cleaner
Safety glassesEssential
Parts
- Rear brake drum (if replacing) × 2 — Use OEM specification
Preparation
- Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
- Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
- Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on the ground
- Lift rear of vehicle with floor jack at designated rear jacking point
- Place jack stands under rear subframe or axle beam at manufacturer-specified support points
- Lower vehicle onto jack stands and ensure stability before working
- Remove rear wheels completely and set aside
Procedure
- 1Release parking brakeRelease the parking brake completely. The parking brake mechanism engages the rear brake shoes inside the drum, and the brake must be released to remove the drum. Verify parking brake lever or pedal is fully released.
- 2Remove drum retaining screw (if present)Some Corolla models have a small Phillips-head retaining screw on the face of the drum. If present, remove this screw with a Phillips screwdriver. This screw only holds the drum during assembly and is not critical for reinstallation. If screw is corroded, use penetrating oil and allow 5-10 minutes to soak.
- 3Remove brake drumPull the drum straight off the hub. The drum should slide off the wheel studs. If drum is stuck due to rust or the brake shoes are contacting the inside surface, tap gently around the outer edge of the drum with a rubber mallet while pulling outward. Strike evenly around the perimeter to avoid warping the drum. For severely stuck drums, there may be threaded holes in the drum face where 8mm bolts can be threaded in to push the drum off the hub.⚠Do not strike the drum with excessive force as this can crack or warp the drum, making it unusable for reinstallation.
- 4Inspect brake drum conditionExamine the interior friction surface of the drum for excessive wear, scoring, heat cracks, or grooves. Measure the inside diameter of the drum with a drum micrometer if available and compare to service manual specifications (maximum diameter is typically stamped on the drum). Minor surface imperfections can be machined by a qualified shop if within limits. Replace drum if cracked, excessively worn beyond maximum diameter, or deeply scored.
- 5Clean drum and hub surfacesIf reusing the drum, clean the interior friction surface with brake cleaner spray and allow to dry completely. Use a wire brush to remove any rust or corrosion from the hub mounting surface and the inside center bore of the drum. Clean debris from the wheel studs. Proper contact between drum and hub is essential for proper brake operation and to prevent noise.⚠Do not use compressed air to clean brake components. Use only brake cleaner spray or wet methods to prevent airborne asbestos dust.
- 6Install brake drumSlide the drum onto the hub, aligning it with the wheel studs. Ensure the drum seats fully against the hub surface. If you removed a drum retaining screw earlier, you may reinstall it finger-tight, but this is optional. The wheel lug nuts will secure the drum during final assembly.
- 7Install wheel and lug nutsPlace the wheel onto the hub and thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench to specification. Do not fully torque while vehicle is on jack stands; perform final torque after vehicle is lowered to ground.Torque specWheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
- 8Lower vehicle and perform final torqueRaise vehicle slightly off jack stands with floor jack, remove jack stands, and carefully lower vehicle to ground. With vehicle weight on all four wheels, perform final torque on rear wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.Torque specWheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Repeat procedure for opposite side rear drum to ensure even brake wear and consistent braking performance
- After both drums are installed, pump brake pedal several times to verify pedal feel returns to normal
- If drums were replaced or machined, perform a break-in procedure: 30-40 gentle stops from 30 mph to allow brake shoes to properly seat against new drum surface
Verification
- Test parking brake operation: engage parking brake and verify it holds vehicle on a slight incline
- Test drive in a safe area at low speed and verify brakes engage smoothly without pulling to one side
- Listen for any abnormal noises during braking such as grinding, squealing, or rubbing which may indicate improper installation or damaged components
- After test drive, re-check lug nut torque on both rear wheels after 50-100 miles of driving