2003 Corolla rear brakes DIY job

Hello,

My 2003 Corolla rear brake pads need replacement. I have a Haynes book that explains the process step by step, but I have never done it before and I'm not sure it'd pay for me to do it as opposed as taking it to a shop.

What do you think?

Thanks.

Reply to
PCman
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I agree with Jeff Strickland, but if you are going to try it, do one side at a time so as to have an accurate assembled model on the other in case you need it. It's not rocket science, but it is a safety component.

Reply to
user

Thank you both. I guess I'd have to get a mask to filter out asbestos particles, but another thing that worries me is the springs & clips. The book says it's a good idea to replace them as well. Not sure if they can be bought separately in auto parts stores. Do they sell kits? Should I avoid specific brands?

Thanks again.

Reply to
PCman

I would stick with the OEM Toyota stuff. You can probably get what you need at the parts counter at your local dealership. I've seen all types of parts packaging as individual, pairs, and kits.

Reply to
user

I've always thought of brake jobs in this way. If you do any engine maintenance on your car, and you screw it up, you'll wind up with a stalled car on the side of the road or perhaps inoperative in your garage. If you do a brake job and screw it up, you'll wind up with your car wrapped around a tree or at the bottom of a deep canyon or with the front end of your car nestled in the trunk of the guy ahead of you. That said, I've done brake jobs ...slowly and carefully...and have never suffered bad consequences.

Reply to
mack

The first brake job I did, I sketched out how the different brake parts went together. With the availability of good digital cameras, why now take a picture (or several) of each wheel's brakes before disassembly?

Reply to
Retired VIP

That's my concern. And the reasons for DIYing is to save money and maybe time (the mechanic will do it faster but your car will just be waiting its turn for a while). We may be talking $100-$200, I guess. It seems daunting, but perhaps is not that bad if one has the appropriate tools and parts. I could have both rear wheels in the air at the same time. Haynes recommends to replace the springs when replacing the pads since they're subject to heat/cold cycles.

Reply to
PCman

You mention that the rear brake pads need replacement. Assuming your car has disc brakes, the job is pretty easy. Drum brakes are a little trickier. You can re-use the springs, clips, and shims.

Reply to
Ray O

I wholeheartedly agree with the usage of a digital camera when taking things apart and I have found great use in reviewing the pictures upon reassembly. Do it. Tomes

Reply to
Tomes

Asbestos?!?!

You see asbestos, you call me. I'm not a lawyer, but I was a Pre-Law student, and took enough Shakespear and eloquence courses where I could get you a ton of money!

We removed all the asbestos brake parts from the shelves at the parts store I worked at in 2003. I doubt 5 years later you're going to find ANY asbestos brake products unless the brakes have never been replaced.

Even then it's a stretch. I think Toyota went to either semi-metallic or organic in the late 90's.

Reply to
Hachiroku

I think you'd be better off downloading a Toyota factory manual for free from

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It's for a 2004 Corolla, which should be almost identical to the

2003.
Reply to
larry moe 'n curly

Who told you you need brakes in the first place. Or is that also something you did yourself. You may be replacing something that doesn't need replacing and just needs adjusting.

Most of the braking is done with the front, so if you mess up, you'll still have those. But I'd say stick with your day job and leave it to the pros..

You do have a day job...?

Reply to
Fla/Pa

No, I have stock parts, disk brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear. I hear a noise in the back. The book recommends to replace the springs and the clamp that fixes the handbrake lever to the rear shoe.

Reply to
PCman

The last brake job was made a couple of years ago, probably I don't have any. I'm just going by what the Haynes book says.

Reply to
PCman

Drum brake linings are referred to as "shoes," and disc brake linings are referred to as "pads."

You can safely re-use the springs and clips in drum brakes as well.

When you adjust the brakes, adjust them so that the wheel and tire will rotate once to one and a half times when you spin it by hand, and make sure that the left and right sides are adjusted equally.

As for the brake dust, there is no longer any asbestos, but you still don't want to breathe the dust. When you remove the drum, place some cardboard and newspaper under the brakes and liberally spray brake cleaner on the brakes so that the brake dust is carried out by the dripping brake cleaner on to the newspaper and cardboard.

Reply to
Ray O

Yeah, asbestos was gone by then.

Reply to
Hachiroku

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