08 Corolla rear brake issue

the phantom worker

Hi all, rear drivers side brake calliper seems to be sticking on my parent's car. Had a quick look for them and that disc is destroyed as the pads was down to the metal so i've picked up new discs and pads for the rear to replace them this evening.

Anyone know if this is a common issue in this model car (I know rear brakes sticking is an issue on mr2s, i've gotten away so far...). I'm hoping a good dose of penetrating fluid and some working back and forward of the lever arm on the calliper will free up the calliper but i'm not holding out much hope.

Have ordered a new brake calliper also but won't fit this unless i have to. Had a quick look last night and noticed the handbrake cable will still be attached to the solid bracket on the calliper itself even when the ball-end of the cable is disconnected from the springloaded lever on the back of the caliper. Any particular way i should go about removing this from the solid bracket? Is it just a retaining clip that needs removing and the cable can be slid through the bracket? Sorry, i didn't have much time to look last night and i don't want to run into any problems i'm not expecting tonight!

Sorry for the long-winded post, and i realise it's hard to give too much direction when you are not looking at the car in person but just hoping someone on here can give a little advice

PADRAIC.M

Yeah I've repaired many, do you have a caliper wind back tool? You will need one, usual problem is brake pad gets jammed in caliper bracket, make sure you file down plenty off new pad where it sits on bracket or you will be back to square one when you tighten caliper back up.

the phantom worker

Thanks Padraic! Yeah i have the windback tool alright so retracting the piston shouldn't be a problem. Is a tight brake pad the most likely issue or is there anything else i am forgetting to check? I've had to file pads before alright as the paint/powdercoat can be quite thick on them!

Just wondering is there any point in running the car for a couple of days with the new discs/pads if the calliper seems to be functioning ok when i'm looking at it later or am i putting off the inevitable of changing the calliper anyway.....which brings me to the other question...have you ever reomved one of these callipers, and how do you get the handbrake cable off the solid bracket on the calliper...

Interslice

the phantom worker wrote: »

Thanks Padraic! Yeah i have the windback tool alright so retracting the piston shouldn't be a problem. Is a tight brake pad the most likely issue or is there anything else i am forgetting to check? I've had to file pads before alright as the paint/powdercoat can be quite thick on them!

Just wondering is there any point in running the car for a couple of days with the new discs/pads if the calliper seems to be functioning ok when i'm looking at it later or am i putting off the inevitable of changing the calliper anyway.....which brings me to the other question...have you ever reomved one of these callipers, and how do you get the handbrake cable off the solid bracket on the calliper...

If it winds back in freely the caliper itself should be ok. As said the problem was more likely the build up of dirt and dust on the carrier. If you had to struggle winding it back with a proper tool it needs to be reparied/replaced.

There's normally a clip holding the end of the cable cover to the bracket. Something like this you have to pull off first.

the phantom worker

perfect, thanks Interslice!

I'll report back with either good news or bad news either way

Interslice

the phantom worker wrote: »

perfect, thanks Interslice!

I'll report back with either good news or bad news either way

Fingers crossed. A 2008 caliper should be ok unless someone damaged the dust seal before, although it would have been getting roasted for a while. The other thing worth checking while your there is that the sliders move freely and still have grease in them.

the phantom worker

Update on this as promised...

Changed the discs and pads and lubed up the slider pins and brake pistons and all seems to be moving freely. While i was at it I gave a good dose of penetrating fluid on the handbake leverarm on the calliper and worked it back and forward and removed any crud around the mechanism.

The mintex pads i got from the local motor factors required quite a bit of filing so that they would slip into the carrier and not be jammed in place, but got them to point where they will move with the action of the calliper. Brought the car for a good spin to bed in the new pads and rotors, got home and jacked up the car to spin the wheels by hand and they seem to be moving freely as they should.

All seems to be fine now but will check it all again on Saturday morning just to verify they're good after there are a few more miles put up on them. Fingers crossed i will get away without needing the calliper!

Thanks again for the help!

jhud

I have 2007 corolla and had same issues but done as you did and all fine I used I got APEC brake pads and discs all no issues and no mods to fit needed. That's about 3 years ago now

the phantom worker

maybe it's just the Mintex pads so... Checked them again over the weekend and they're definitely fine. Dodged a calliper-shaped bullet thanks to the info, much appreciated