Car FactsIE

Toyota Corolla Hybrid (E210) front brake pads: step by step, with the hybrid safety step

This is how to change the front brake pads on a Toyota Corolla Hybrid, the E210, step by step, with the torque settings, and the hybrid safety step most guides leave out.

🎬 The video of this job goes live on our YouTube channel on Sunday, 29 November.

Parts and tools

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Front brake pads (example photo)Front brake padsSee on eBay.ie →🔧Brake pad piston wind-back toolSee on eBay.ie →Torque wrench (example photo)Torque wrenchSee on eBay.ie →🔧Brake cleanerSee on eBay.ie →

Example photos, not the exact part (Wikimedia Commons): Treemonster86, CC BY-SA 3.0; Heron2 (assumed author), CC BY-SA 3.0.

Before you start: Front pads only

This is the front pads only. The fronts don't need the electric parking brake put into service mode. The rears do, so they're a different job.

Hybrid safety: Let the brake pump settle

Here's the hybrid part. The Corolla Hybrid has an electric brake pump that stores pressure in the system. So switch the car off, and close the doors. Wait about a minute, until you hear the pump run and stop.

Hybrid safety: 12-volt battery: negative off

Then disconnect the negative lead on the 12-volt battery. On the 1.8 it's under the bonnet. And don't press the brake pedal while you work.

Parts

Parts: a set of front pads, for both sides, brake cleaner, and a little anti-squeal paste.

Tools

Tools: a 21 millimetre wheel socket, a 14 millimetre socket for the caliper, a piston wind-back tool, a torque wrench, a wire brush, and axle stands.

Safety: Chock, loosen, lift

Chock the rear wheels. Loosen the wheel nuts with the car on the ground, then lift the front and set it on axle stands.

Step 1: Wheel off

Take off the wheel nuts and the wheel. Hold the wheel as the last nut comes off.

Step 2: Caliper off, tied up

Clean the two slide pin bolts at the back of the caliper, and undo them with the 14 millimetre socket. Lift the caliper off, and tie it up. Never let it hang on the brake hose.

Step 3: Old pads out, check the disc

Take out the old pads. Check the disc. The minimum thickness is stamped on it, usually 19 millimetres on this car. If it's thinner, or badly worn, fit new discs as well.

Step 4: Clean the carrier

Clean the carrier where the pads sit with the wire brush and brake cleaner. Put a thin layer of anti-squeal paste on the pad backs, never on the friction side.

Step 5: Push the piston back

Clean the caliper piston, then push it back in slowly with the wind-back tool. The fluid in the reservoir will rise as it goes back, so don't let it overflow.

Step 6: New pads, caliper back on

Fit the new pads, refit the caliper, and tighten the slide pin bolts to 35 newton metres. Some manuals say 34.

Step 7: Wheel on, torque it

Spray the disc clean with brake cleaner. Refit the wheel, lower the car, and tighten the wheel nuts across in a star, to 103 newton metres.

Step 8: Pedal firm before you move

With the battery still off, press the pedal a few times to bring the pistons out. Reconnect the battery. The pump will run: leave the pedal alone until it stops. Then press it again. It must feel firm before the car moves. Check the fluid level.

Afterwards: Other side, then go easy

Do the other side the same way. Take it easy for the first 150 to 200 kilometres, while the new pads bed in.

Figures and where they come from

Every figure in this guide is checked against at least two independent sources. Where sources disagree, we say so.

A guide, not advice on any one car. If in doubt, use a garage. NCT record and typical prices for this car. More DIY guides.