Brake pads, jack points - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

speedyts49 · 03-30-2011, 02:45 PM

Is there a way to see the front brake pads without taking off the wheel?

Is it possible that the pads are worn out after only 15,000 miles?
They make a little noise the first time I apply them each drive but it goes away after that.
Mostly city driving

Where the heck is the jack point for my floor jack so that I can lift the whole front end up at once? I have jack stands too.

Thanks

bennor · 03-30-2011, 07:01 PM

The longevity on brake pads will depend on the quality and type. If they were OEM pads that came with the car (i.e., never been changed) than 15,000 miles doesn't seem right, the pads should have lasted longer then that. But then again if your a heavy braking type person its possible the pads won't last as long. Edit to add: My dealer claimed the OEM pads last between 30,000 to 35,000 miles.

You will have to remove the tire to get to the pads that are on the tire side in addition to the pads on the caliper piston side. Its much easier to remove the tire, pull out one bolt and swing up the caliper and replace the pads. More specific brake replacement directions are below in a link.

Look in the car's manual for the proper jack point. For my car it was about a foot behind the front wheel there was a dimple (or what ever you call it) in the metal flange which is where you put the jack on my 05 Corolla.

My OEM pads on an 05 Corolla went out at about 43,000 miles (last month). Dealer wanted $490 to replace both pads and rotors. Had Pepboys inspect the brakes (they had a free brake inspection through 3/31/11) and they said pads where gone but rotors were within spec. They wanted $210 to replace pads and turn the rotors (their Silver level of service).

Decided to replace the pads myself and it cost under $80 to do so. While you should have a car stand it is possible to just use the car's jack to replace the pads. Its what I did but if you choose to do so you assume any and all risks.

I started off buying some Wagner ThermoQuiet Ceramic Brake Pads QC923 from Advanced Auto Parts (set of four pads in box, two for each wheel), a can of Brake Cleaner, and a small packet of brake grease for under $80. And there is a $15 mail in rebate (through 5/31/2011) on the Wagner ThermoQuiet Brake Pads too. I then followed the directions from this link Toyota Corolla Front Brake Pads Replacement Guide, and it was pretty easy to do. Took about 30 minutes to do both front brakes. I've put a couple of hundred miles on the car since putting the in the brake pads, and have had no problems.

When you do the brakes yourself or have the pro's do it, remember to "bed-in" the brakes to help maximize braking performance.

Edit to add: The picture below shows (I think) the front jack point. See the green circle.

Ohiowa · 03-31-2011, 03:51 PM

I don't have a photo, but the central jack point is right behind the towing eye behind and under the radiator and looks like a hump. Makes front end work so much easier since you can just use the jack to lift the car and place both jack stands at the sides at the same time.

I just determined this morning that I will need new rotors and pads this spring. Anyone have recommendations for brand? I was thinking these rotors since they have decent reviews on Tire Rack. I could either make a warranty claim on my Duralast ceramic pads I put on two years ago and get new ones, or go with something different if that would be a poor choice.

PhantomS · 03-31-2011, 05:17 PM

The Corolla does have central jack points ..... the one in the front is a downward protruding "bump" between two bolts on the subframe (inline center, of course), and the rear is a longer extended downward hanging protrusion (ya can't miss it) in front of the spare tire well (inline center). I've seen illustrations online before, but search has turned up nothing, really. If I find it, I'll repost.....dunno where my dang camera is...

bennor · 03-31-2011, 05:39 PM

Yea the central jacking point is shown in these pictures. I've never done it so I don't know how stable the car is if left jacked like this without car jack stands as a backup.

speedyts49 · 04-02-2011, 11:21 AM

Thanks for all the great replies and pics.

Mr.Nutcase · 04-06-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bennor

Edit to add: The picture below shows (I think) the front jack point. See the green circle.

The green spot is the pinch weld, that where the lifting arm goes(if using a lift)
The spare jack uses that as the lifting point,
To use a floor jack, look for the hump like bennor said.
You can put a jack stand under the pinch weld, but try to use a the right one...

speedyts49 · 04-06-2011, 04:28 PM

This is the one I was looking for. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bennor

Yea the central jacking point is shown in these pictures. I've never done it so I don't know how stable the car is if left jacked like this without car jack stands as a backup.

speedyts49 · 04-06-2011, 04:32 PM

It looks like I have half to 2/3's left which is good even though I have the pads already to slap on. The rotors have some wear but I assume that is normal.

I still have a clack when I reverse direction which I know is my pads shifting direction. The dealer said there was nothing they could do about it. I'll see if I can fix the noise once my pads wear out but till then clack it is.

NMGeorge · 04-06-2011, 09:30 PM

a clack? do your pads have the shims on them? Your dealer sounds like a POS.

My pads lasted 50,000 miles - I'm a smooth driver and am pretty easy on the brakes. I changed my pads (ALWAYS USE JACK STANDS!) in my garage - cost me $18.00.

speedyts49 · 04-06-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMGeorge

a clack? do your pads have the shims on them? Your dealer sounds like a POS.

My pads lasted 50,000 miles - I'm a smooth driver and am pretty easy on the brakes. I changed my pads (ALWAYS USE JACK STANDS!) in my garage - cost me $18.00.

Agreed on the dealer. There is another dealer that I like better but I purchased my car thru the costco buying program at the clack dealer so I go there. These are the OEM pads so they have not been touched. I wonder if anyone else has this noise.

Ohiowa · 04-06-2011, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedyts49

Agreed on the dealer. There is another dealer that I like better but I purchased my car thru the costco buying program at the clack dealer so I go there. These are the OEM pads so they have not been touched. I wonder if anyone else has this noise.

Just because you bought it there doesn't mean you have to take it there for service.

07corolladude · 04-07-2011, 11:20 AM

Wagner ThermoQuiet pads have a Rebate now of $15/axle. They are great pads in my experience.

Also DO NOT work under a car without jackstands.

The factory jack is not designed to hold the car for hours or even too many uses. And all that supports a hydraulic jack is a cheap rubber seal.

Use jackstands and a jack as a BACKUP. Jack the car up from the front and put 2 or 3 ton jackstands by the pinch points or even the unibody frame. If you are worried about damage get rubber jackstand protectors. Don't play games with 3000 lbs of steel.