How to Replace Front Disc Brakes in a Toyota Corolla

Offering a smooth ride, comfort, reliability and good gas mileage, your 2004 Toyota Corolla was a good choice. Whether you are the original owner or inherited the car, you need to perform scheduled maintenance on your Corolla. One form of this maintenance is to replace the front disc brakes in your Toyota Corolla.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Wheel blocks
• Jack
• Jackstands
• Turkey baster, syringe or similar tool
• Mechanic's wire
• Brake pads
• Torque wrench
• Brake fluid

1. • 1

     Park the vehicle on a flat and level surface. Apply the parking brake. Secure the vehicle by wedging something behind the wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. Loosen the lug nuts. Jack the vehicle up and support the front of the vehicle securely on jackstands.

   • 2

     Drain the brake fluid from the master cylinder reservoir until it is approximately 1/3 full by using a syringe, like a turkey baster or other similar tool. The old fluid will not be reused, so throw it away. Disconnect and remove the wheel.

   • 3

     Remove the caliper mounting bolts then remove the caliper assembly. Do not disconnect the brake hose. Suspend the caliper from the frame using mechanic's wire.

   • 4

     Install the pad plates into the torque plate. Install the pad wear indicators onto the pads. The arrow on the indicator plate should point in the direction of rotation. Install the anti-squeal shims on the outside of each pad. Install the pad assemblies into the torque plate.

   • 5

     Compress the caliper piston into the bore. Position the caliper back down over the pads. Install the caliper mounting bolts. Using a torque wrench tighten the caliper mounting bolts. Reinstall the wheels. Add brake fluid.

   • 6

     Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery. Start the car and pump the brake pedal 3-4 times to seat the brake pads. Drive the Toyota Corolla at slow to moderate speeds to make sure that the maintenance was performed correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• Prior to performing the maintenance on your Toyota Corolla visit your local automotive parts supply store and purchase the necessary tools. Be prepared to provide the auto parts store employee with the make, model and year of your Toyota Corolla. Sometimes they will inquire as to the engine size 4-cylinder in most instances.