Author Topic: How to change the rear brake pad (Read 2734 times)

sijepang · « **on:** August 02, 2005, 10:42:46 am »

Hi There, I need some advice on how to change the rear brake pad of my toyota corolla year 2001 and what to watch or look in the process of changing it.

I check the rear shoe pad and it's about 90% left.
The car already has 80 k.

If I change the brake pad my self, will the manufacture warranty void automatically.

Do I also need to rotor the drum?

Please advice on this matter.Thank You guys.

barrie1 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2005, 12:23:39 pm »

Sijepang the rule of thumb generally is 2 sets of front pads for one set of rears. If you have 90% of the material left then you should be OK for quite a while yet. The drum may not be needed to have turned on a lathe if it has no cuts or grooves worn into it. If it has these marks then yes spend the money to have it done. If you do this yourself it should have nothing to do with your warranty at all as you could also go to a brake shop which is acceptible as well. You will have to clean the backing plates off of all the brake dust and put the lube on the spots where the shoes rub and move as well. Be very careful as to not getting any grease on the new shoe surfaces you are putting on as this will be a problem if it happens. You will need a brake spoon tool to adust the shoes after installing them as they just don't setup on their own.

articsteve · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2005, 12:39:26 pm »

I check the rear shoe pad and it's about 90% left.

Why do you want to replace the brake shoe (pad as you call it) if you have plenty of brake material left?

If I change the brake pad my self, will the manufacture warranty void automatically.

What part of the warranty? BTW, you never confess to any authority that you worked on your own vehicle's brakes.

What you need to do is check the adjustment of the brake shoe to the drum. Figure out how the adjuster works by turning it one way or another and then observing what that adjustment does to the shoe/drum. What you might find is that the adjuster is seized and you will need to lube that up and get it turning freely.

What you want is to adjust so that the shoe is just off the drum a wee bit.

Then check by going to a gravel road and slam on the brakes. See is the two rears skid at the same time.

To change the rear shoes you will need a special tool to reinstall the new springs which come in a kit. Actually all you might need are new springs. They come in a kit. You should be able to replace the springs on side at a time by using the opposite as a reference.

sijepang · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2005, 03:22:03 pm »

Thank's to Barrie and Articsteve for replying my questions.

Sorry, there is typing error on the material left on the pad it should be 10% left.

I went to Canadian Tire to check the price on the brake pad and the premium one cost me 41+ .

In general does the Genuine part cost more than the compatible one?

I check on the drum and It has no cut or grooves. I also observed that the thickness of the worn pad was even all from the top to the bottom. I guess,I don't need the drum to have it turn on a lathe.

Can I get the brake spoon tool at C Tire.?

Thank's again guys.

barrie1 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2005, 10:10:28 pm »

I have never bought a brake spoon from Canadian Tire but its very possible that they do sell them. The price of the shoes or pads varies from one retailer or brand to the next. As long as they are a premium pad or shoe you should be alright. Is the hardware kit in good shape as they can be bought seperately.

articsteve · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2005, 10:43:39 pm »

I check on the drum and It has no cut or grooves. I also observed that the thickness of the worn pad was even all from the top to the bottom. I guess,I don't need the drum to have it turn on a lathe.

Well then go ahead without rotor machining. I'd just get the Canadian Tire brand if money is tight.

Is the hardware kit in good shape as they can be bought seperately.

Your going to need two NEW spring kits. They are cheap and there is no point in trying to put back on old worn/streched springs providing the don't break off anyways. However, you will need a "spring tool" and they are cheap.

You should also pick up the Canadian Tire brand brake fluid called "Certified". Dot 3 should be fine and it is the cheapest because you should bleed out the old brake fluid in the rear wheel cylinders.

Just remember to do one side at a time. Don't rip both sides apart at the same time because you can use one side for a reference. The springs can get confusing first time.

mikron15 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2005, 02:11:26 am »

I am not sure if i am allowed to post a 3rd party link. But here's a link i came across which explains the brake maintainence in details.
http://www.partsource.ca/doityourself/JOM_May2005.asp

articsteve · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2005, 08:30:29 am »

Thats a good link.

sijepang · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2005, 10:04:08 am »

Thank's for all the advices.

The link is very helpfull and there are two stores in London. I am going there this weekend to get all my parts.

Thank's a million guys.

citydude · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2005, 10:57:24 am »

The original set lasted 80000KM, why take a chance buying compatible parts when you can get OEM Toyota parts for a few bucks more?

AVToller · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2005, 11:15:30 am »

Please, don't try to save a few dollars on either brakes OR tires. Get the very best you can as they are what keep both you AND others safe.

barrie1 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2005, 12:47:59 pm »

I would get a quote from PartsSource but also get one from Battery Supply as well. Tell them you want the best grade and ask which store has them in stock. They have 3 locations in London and then there's Bob Jones Auto Parts as well with their biggest store on Adelaide St near Nelson. PartsSource is a Division of Canadian Tire so their prices will be almost the very same. Definitely buy the best grade as Avtoller is 100% correct in his view.

mikron15 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2005, 03:30:52 pm »

I never knew PartSource is a division of Cdn Tire

Since we are on subject of brakes, i was wondering how Speedy's service is and what good brand of brakes they got or I should get ( front brake pads)? I am looking at something on premium side and maybe @ the ceramic ones..heard they are good

Cdn tire offers Monroe...Speedy offers Raybestos..Not sure what Midas have

Sorry to hijack this thread Spijepang

barrie1 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2005, 08:28:38 pm »

I would imagine that they are OK but pricey I am sure they do good work but read the fine print carefully on the warranty. Sometimes their labour rate is not part of the warranty and it costs you as much for the free replacemnts as it would have anyways. A lot depends on how long you own the car or intend to. They will definitely have the premium brake package to go with but it costs a little bit more.

articsteve · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2005, 01:46:37 am »

i was wondering how Speedy's service

Depends on who owns the store. Like Midas stores; some are honest and some are not and it all depends on the individual mechanic.

I am looking at something on premium side and maybe @ the ceramic ones..heard they are good

You need to know exactly what brake pad you want. "ceramic" is a general term. You need to know specificially which ceramic pad you want because those places mentioned will sell you anything that says the word "ceramic" on the box; fine print reads "contains some ceramics"

For example at Midas if you want a "premium" pad they will just phone Car Quest et al and buy a set of pads from them and charge you big.

If you want a good brake job don't go to Midas, Speedy or Crappy.

barrie1 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 04, 2005, 03:40:52 pm »

I agree with Steve again as I would let my fingers do the walking on the price as long as you know the brand name quality you want to have installed. You could also buy the parts yourself and have a good mechanic do the labour only for you.

mikron15 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 05, 2005, 02:10:11 am »

Wanna throw in some recomendation for some quality ones?( front pads )

or atleast some brand names so i can start researching them online.
I am basically looking for ones that have good braking power. When i was browsing thru some sites, i came across one brand that offers set for highway or city road. So if i get the highway ones, will that be good for city roads too? Or each designed for its purpose

P.S: I live in the GTA

Oh and Thanks for the tip ArcticSteve & Barrie1!

maritime_storm · « **Reply #17 on:** August 05, 2005, 07:33:17 am »

Monroe and Raybestos are both good brands. Get a repair manual for your specific car before tackling this job. Even Haynes offer decent pictures of where each of the springs, clips, bars, and the adjuster goes as well as having step by step instructions on how to do the job, no two manufacturers use the same exact design of drum brake. Yes we sell tools for working on drum brakes at Canadian Tire, might I also suggest checking at Princess Auto for automotive tools. The prices are typically better on specialty automotive tools. Don't go cheap on your brakes, reality is you can't afford too. Buy a good brand of shoes, get a combi kit{Spring/pins/plugs} and take the adjusters apart, clean them up on a wire wheel and use high temperature never-seize on them.

barrie1 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 05, 2005, 10:55:05 am »

Both brands Maritime has mentioned are very good for your purpose. Just buy the premium ones from either of these 2 companies and you will be very pleased.

articsteve · « **Reply #19 on:** August 05, 2005, 09:06:23 pm »

Wanna throw in some recomendation for some quality ones?( front pads )

What car is this for? For Japanese cars AEKBONO Pro Ceramics are the very top and usually made in Japan. OEM now for many Lexus vehicles.

If you have a domestic car you are going to be pretty well stuck with the domestic level stuff like Monroe and Raybestos without the asbestos part.