Brake Pads and Rotors - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of rear brake pads and rotors on a 2014-2019 Toyota Corolla with 1.8L engine, including proper torque specifications and bedding procedure.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set (includes clips and shims) × 1 — Use OEM or equivalent ceramic pads
• Rear brake rotors × 2 — Use OEM specification, pair
• Brake hardware kit (if not included with pads) × 1 — Anti-rattle clips and shims

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake (front wheels only, since rear brakes will be disassembled).
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels.
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on the ground.
4. Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir. Use a turkey baster or fluid pump to remove approximately 1/4 of the fluid from the reservoir to prevent overflow when compressing caliper pistons. Dispose of old fluid properly.
5. Lift the rear of the vehicle with a floor jack at the rear differential or designated lift points.
6. Secure the vehicle on jack stands placed under the rear axle beam or frame rails. Ensure stands are stable and vehicle cannot fall.
7. Remove both rear wheels completely and set aside.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove caliper slide pins
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the rear of the caliper (14mm heads). These are the smaller bolts that allow the caliper to slide. Remove both slide pin bolts completely. Note: Do NOT remove the larger caliper bracket bolts at this stage.
2. 2

   Remove caliper and support
   Pivot the caliper up and away from the rotor. The caliper should swing upward on the brake hose. Use wire or a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension spring or strut tower. Ensure there is NO tension or weight on the rubber brake hose.
   ⚠Do not let caliper hang by brake hose or allow hose to kink or twist.
3. 3

   Remove old brake pads
   Remove the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper bracket. Remove any anti-rattle clips, springs, or shims from the caliper bracket. Note the orientation and position of all hardware for reinstallation.
4. 4

   Remove caliper bracket
   Using a 17mm socket, remove the two large caliper bracket bolts that mount the bracket to the knuckle. These bolts are very tight. Remove the caliper bracket completely from the vehicle. Inspect the bracket for wear or damage.
   ℹ️Caliper bracket bolts are torqued to 97 Nm and may require significant force to break loose.
5. 5

   Remove old rotor
   The rotor should slide off the wheel hub. If the rotor is stuck due to corrosion, tap it gently with a rubber mallet from behind. Do not strike the rotor friction surface. If severely stuck, thread 8mm bolts into the threaded holes on the rotor face (if equipped) to press it off.
6. 6

   Clean hub surface
   Use a wire brush to clean the wheel hub mounting surface where the rotor sits. Remove all rust, corrosion, and debris. The surface must be clean and flat for proper rotor seating. Spray with brake cleaner and wipe dry.
7. 7

   Install new rotor
   Spray the new rotor surfaces with brake cleaner to remove any protective coating or oil. Wipe dry. Slide the new rotor onto the wheel hub, ensuring it sits flush against the hub surface. Thread one lug nut on temporarily to hold the rotor in place during installation.
8. 8

   Reinstall caliper bracket
   Clean the threads of the caliper bracket bolts with a wire brush. Apply medium-strength thread locker to the bolt threads. Position the caliper bracket over the rotor and align with the mounting holes on the knuckle. Install both bracket bolts and torque to specification in an alternating pattern.
   ⚠Thread locker must be used on caliper bracket bolts to prevent loosening during vehicle operation.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Prepare caliper bracket and hardware
   Clean the caliper bracket slide surfaces where the pads contact using a wire brush. Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease to the slide surfaces (not to the friction material). Install new anti-rattle clips and shims according to the pad kit instructions or match the original configuration.
10. 10

    Compress caliper piston
    Remove the caliper from its support position. Place an old brake pad against the caliper piston to protect it. Use a C-clamp or brake caliper tool to slowly compress the piston fully into the caliper bore. Monitor the brake fluid reservoir to ensure it does not overflow. Stop if resistance is excessive.
    ⚠Compressing the piston forces brake fluid back to the master cylinder. Watch for overflow at the reservoir.
11. 11

    Install new brake pads
    Install the new inner and outer brake pads into the caliper bracket. Ensure they are properly seated in the anti-rattle clips and can slide freely. The pad with the wear indicator should be installed on the inner position (toward the piston).
12. 12

    Reinstall caliper and slide pins
    Remove the wire or bungee supporting the caliper. Pivot the caliper down over the new brake pads and rotor. Clean the caliper slide pins with brake cleaner and inspect the rubber boots for tears. Apply silicone brake grease to the slide pin shafts. Install both slide pin bolts and torque to specification.
    ⚠Slide pins must be lubricated with silicone brake grease for proper caliper operation. Do not use petroleum-based grease.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Bolts32 Nm (24 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1-12 for the opposite rear brake assembly. Ensure both sides are completed to the same standard and all torque specifications are met.
14. 14

    Reinstall wheels
    Remove the temporary lug nut from each rotor. Reinstall both rear wheels, threading all lug nuts by hand first. Snug the lug nuts in a star pattern with a wrench, but do not fully torque yet.
15. 15

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Carefully raise the vehicle slightly and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle completely to the ground. Torque all wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern (cross pattern) using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Check brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir. Add DOT 3 brake fluid to the MAX line if needed. Do not overfill.
2. With the vehicle on the ground, pump the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm. The pedal should return to normal height and feel.
3. Check under the vehicle for any brake fluid leaks at the caliper slide pins and bracket bolts.
4. Start the engine and test the brake pedal with the vehicle in Park. The pedal should feel firm and not sink to the floor.
5. Before driving, test the parking brake to ensure proper engagement.

Verification

• Pump brake pedal until firm resistance is felt. Pedal should not sink with sustained pressure and engine running.
• Test drive in a safe area at low speed (under 25 mph). Apply brakes gently to verify proper operation. Braking should be smooth without pulling to one side.
• Perform bedding-in procedure: Make 8-10 stops from 40 mph to 15 mph with moderate brake pressure (about 50% effort), allowing 30 seconds between stops for cooling. Do not come to a complete stop. After bedding, allow brakes to cool for 10 minutes without use.
• After first test drive, recheck wheel lug nut torque and retorque if necessary.
• Visually inspect for any fluid leaks around calipers after test drive.
• After 50-100 miles, recheck lug nut torque and verify brake pedal feel remains firm.
• Avoid heavy braking for the first 200-300 miles to allow pads and rotors to properly mate.

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