Toyota designed the Corolla model for safety and efficiency when driving. But if you’re experiencing problems with your vehicle, failing parts are likely to blame. That’s especially true with your AC, alternator, wheels, or brakes are making noises!

One common issue in the Toyota Corolla that causes noises from the AC, brakes, or alternator is a malfunctioning serpentine belt. This belt drives multiple components and, if worn or misaligned, can produce squealing or chirping noises. Replacing or adjusting the serpentine belt can usually eliminate these noises and ensure smooth operation of the affected systems.

Another reason for noise in these systems, particularly the brakes, could be worn brake pads or rotors. When the pads or rotors wear down, they may produce a grinding or squeaking sound during braking. Replacing the brake pads and resurfacing or replacing the rotors will typically resolve this issue, restoring quiet and effective braking.

In terms of the alternator, a failing bearing within the alternator can also cause noise. This noise is often described as a growling or whining sound that changes with engine speed. Replacing the alternator or its bearings is necessary to fix this issue, ensuring the alternator operates quietly and efficiently.

This article will discuss the most common issues owners have with their Toyota Corolla. On top of identifying the common causes, we’ll also explain how to fix them yourself.

Toyota Corolla AC Making Noise

When noise comes from the air conditioning unit in your vehicle, it results from either a worn or broken serpentine belt. The serpentine belt is responsible for controlling your A/C compressor and other mechanics. Through regular use, this belt will eventually slacken or break.

To eliminate the noise, consider contacting your local Toyota dealer and scheduling service for your car. Alternatively, you can replace the serpentine belt at home.

How To Replace a Broken Serpentine Belt In a Toyota Corolla

Firstly, ensure that the replacement belt is the correct length for your vehicle. It’s suggested to sticking to OEM parts when selecting the belt. Once you purchase the appropriate belt, you will need a wrench with an extended arm.

Secondly, check the routing guide for your Toyota. This manual outlines the appearance of the various mechanics and where to find them.

After gathering the appropriate tools, follow these steps to replace the belt:

1. Remove the plastic covering from the engine. This step is recommended for convenience, but this is ultimately optional.
2. Locate the set screw on the automatic tensioner, usually near the serpentine belt.
3. Use the wrench to unfasten the screw. Turn clockwise until the tensioner is released.
4. Slide the loosened belt off the alternator.
5. Add the replacement serpentine belt to the alternator and water pump. Ensure that the grooves are facing downward toward the rigid ends of the alternator.
6. Check that the belt is secure.
7. Tighten the set screw to fasten the serpentine replacement. Ensure that the new strap is attached but not extremely tight.

Toyota Corolla Alternator Noise

Worn-out bearings in the alternator can often produce noise from inside the part. On the other hand, a roaring sound happens when the bushings mounting the alternator have corroded.

Usually, to silence this sound, the entire alternator has to be replaced. Alternators are typically replaced as an assembly because they’re difficult to repair as one solo part.

You should contact a technician who can switch your broken alternator with a brand new one. Unless you have mechanical experience, this is not a problem you can fix in your garage!

Toyota Corolla Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Your Toyota Corolla’s front wheel bearing is making noise because the vehicle’s bearings have gone bad. Your bearings can undergo damage from out-of-round tires and unbalanced wheels. Ensure that neither of those issues is the source of your problem before replacing the bearing.

Also, if you’ve recently had your bearings serviced, they might produce a grinding noise. The likely culprit is incorrect seating during installation. To remove this noise, purchase a brand new front bearing replacement.

Replacing the bearings requires advanced skills; therefore, beginner mechanics should not attempt this repair on their own. However, if you service the bearings at home, remember to press the metal part on its outer race firmly, or this problem will pop up again in a few weeks.

Toyota Corolla Belt Tensioner Noise

The belt tensioner will usually make noise when the tensioner pulley assembly has malfunctioned, meaning you have to replace the assembly to fix this problem.

If you’re an experienced engineer, it’s possible to replace the assembly at home. To make the repair as fast as possible, order the replacement in advance. Once the part is available, the repair will take under an hour. But for best results, allow your mechanic to switch out the part for you.

Toyota Corolla Beeping Noise

Your Toyota Corolla will beep if it has a broken sensor. When the seat belt sensor malfunctions, it will make a beeping noise, even if all the seatbelts are active and secured.

You can stop the beeping sound by replacing the sensor altogether. However, various models require a different repair process to switch the sensor. Consult the car’s user manual for instructions on how to service the part for your Corolla.

If there are no suggestions, get in touch with a mechanic because this job is best suited for a professional.

Toyota Corolla Grinding Noise When Braking

When there is a grinding noise every time you press the brakes in your Corolla, there are two leading causes.

A Wedged Object

In some cases, a small object is wedged between the Toyota’s caliper and rotor. This object could have been picked up by your vehicle during a drive. Given its location, you have to inspect your car’s undercarriage and search for abnormal items to fix this issue.

Removing the obstruction will get rid of the noise immediately. However, this repair only works if no additional damage had occurred to the rotor or caliper.

Worn Brake Pads

Another reason why a grinding noise is coming from your brakes is that the pads need to be replaced. Naturally, these parts weaken over time when you stop or slow down and will cause strange sounds when they get too old.

Consider changing your brake pads to cure that harsh grinding sound. It is much easier to contact a professional to handle this job, but you can also do it at home.

How To Replace The Brake Pads In Your Toyota Corolla

Before replacing the worn down pads, you need to gather the following tools:

• Carjack
• Jack stand
• Genuine Toyota replacement brake pads
• Brake pad spreader
• Hammer
• 14 mm. (0.5 in.) socket

If you do not have a jack stand to support your vehicle, I recommend the Big Red Steel Jack Stands. This device can support up to 6,000 lbs. (2,721 kg.) and is ideal for completing this project on a Corolla or any other car.

Once obtaining the necessary tools, you must follow these steps to replace the brake pads:

1. Activate the emergency brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels. Only perform this step on the wheels that match the brake pads you are replacing.
3. Use the car jack to hoist the vehicle.
4. Slide the jack stand under the car. Lower the vehicle onto the support using the jack.
5. Jack the opposite side of the car up. Support this side with a second jack stand.
6. Remove the lug nuts altogether.
7. Take the wheels off of the car.
8. Use the 14 mm. (0.5 in.) wrench to remove the bolts securing the piston.
9. Remove the old brake pads.
10. Fit the new brake pads into the caliper bracket.
11. Open the piston so that it fits over the brake pads.
12. Secure the brake pads with the piston.
13. Return the wheel to its hub.
14. Tighten the lug nuts.
15. Position the car jack head under the vehicle on one side. Remove the jack stand.
16. Lower the car to the ground. Repeat on the other side.

Toyota Corolla Belt Noise

When there is a noise coming from your belt, you have a problematic serpentine belt on your hands. Specifically, a squeaking noise indicates that the belt is too tight.

To get rid of this noise, you must adjust the belt. Here’s how to do that:

1. Locate the belt tensioner at the front of your Corolla near the engine. The tensioner will have a bolt screw in the center of the pulley.
2. Use a wrench to rotate the bolt head counterclockwise.
3. Rotate the screw until the serpentine belt hangs loose.
4. Adjust the belt to fit the assembly correctly.
5. Turn the bolt until the belt fastens to the transmission and other mechanics. Ensure that the belt is not stretched too tightly.

Toyota Corolla Bearing Noise

When sounds are coming from your bearings, it is time to replace them. Your Toyota Corolla should have its bearings changed at least every 100,000 miles. If it has been a while since your last service, consider replacing them with the following steps:

1. Remove the hubcap.
2. Lift the car using a jack. You will only have to raise the area near the worn bearing.
3. Remove the lug nuts and the tire. Also, detach the brake caliper.
4. Unfasten the axle nut using a wrench and socket.
5. Remove the hub using a hammer pull tool.
6. Access the ball joint and remove the two nuts and bolt.
7. Detach the axle.
8. Remove the snap ring.
9. Remove the remaining parts of the bearing with a bearing puller.
10. Clean out the hub.
11. Push the replacement bearing into its position. Do not keep pushing after the bearing is already seated.
12. Replace the hub using the bearing pusher tool.
13. Re-install the nuts and bolt on the ball joint.
14. Put the brake caliper and rotor back on.
15. Tighten the axle nut.
16. Replace the tire, lug nuts, and hub cap.

Toyota Corolla Clicking Noise When Turning

Your Toyota Corolla will make a clicking noise when turning if there are damaged CV joints. The joints are on the bottom of your vehicle, so you must raise the car to inspect the CV joints from underneath. While looking, check for corrosion and tearing.

If you notice any wear on this part, seek to have the CV joints replaced by a skilled repairer.

Toyota Corolla Noise When Driving

If there’s a roaring noise coming from your vehicle each time you drive, the A-arm bushing is unhinged and needs a replacement. The bushings can become damaged from being too loose and knocking against other metal parts.

To solve this problem, you can have the arm bushing tightened or purchase a new one. Maintaining the A-arm bushing requires an expert technician. Ensure that there is a mechanic available to perform the service for you.

Toyota Corolla Differential Noise

Some Corolla owners say that a bit of noise from the differential is standard. If there is a swishing noise, your differential is functioning normally, and you don’t need to worry.

Copyright protected article by Know My Auto and was first published on Apr 1, 2021. .

However, excessive noise coming from your differential signals a failing transmission. In most cases, you must replace the differential and the transmission to get rid of this sound. Seeing that a transmission is a sensitive piece of equipment, ask a Toyota specialist to replace the part.

Toyota Corolla Drum Brakes Noise

Typically, when there’s noise coming from the drum brakes, they are dry and need lubrication. That’s because a lack of grease creates friction, causing the drum brakes to make noise!

The backing plate’s contact points should be lubricated using low-temperature grease to get rid of the noise. Alternatively, this noise can come from a pair of faulty brake drums.

Suppose you purchased your drums from an unauthorized parts dealer. In that case, there is a chance that the parts are incompatible with your vehicle and causing abnormal sounds.

If you try lubrication and the noise persists, have a mechanic look at your drum brakes to confirm whether they are the correct parts.

Toyota Corolla Dashboard Noise

The noise coming from your dashboard is usually the result of improper seating. Try repositioning the dashboard and checking if that gets rid of the sound. For most people, a fresh installation stops the rattling immediately.

However, if the noise continues after the replacement, try adding a strut bar. The strut bar will improve the overall stability of the vehicle and potentially eliminate rattling.

Above all, you should get help from the dealership where you purchased the vehicle. As long as the car is under warranty, they will solve the noise.

Toyota Corolla Drive Shaft Noise

Have you noticed an intense shaking and noise coming from your driveshaft? If so, the most common cause is worn-out bushings. Most owners can get rid of the noise by replacing the drive shaft assembly.

A mechanic will have to pinpoint whether the front or rear assembly needs to be replaced. However, with their diagnosis, you can easily find a replacement and have it installed sooner.

The copyright owner of this article is Knowmyauto.com and was first published on Apr 1, 2021..

Toyota Corolla Front Suspension Noise

The front suspension will produce a roaring or grinding noise when the rubber strut mount needs a service. You can identify a torn strut mount by inspecting the mechanics surrounding your Corolla’s engine.

If you can confirm that the mount is broken, contact a maintenance specialist for help. A damaged suspension will make the car challenging to control. Therefore, it’s important to get this figured out immediately.

Toyota Corolla Gearbox Noise

If your Toyota Corolla has strange sounds coming from its gearbox, check the oil levels. The noise is likely the result of the oil needing to be refilled. That’s because low oil levels will create friction and an overworked sensation in the gearbox, causing noise!

Before filling the gearbox, you will need a funnel or pipe. After gathering these items, refill the gearbox oil at home by doing the following:

1. Raise the vehicle using a car jack.
2. Locate the bolt sealing the gearbox.
3. Open the oil bolt to drain the gearbox oil. This bolt is at the bottom. Use a socket wrench for this step.
4. Tighten the bottom oil bolt once the oil has drained.
5. Locate the gearbox bolt from an aerial view of the engine. Typically the bolt is near to the battery.
6. Release the bolt.
7. Connect the end of the funnel or pipe to the opening where the bolt was.
8. Pour the new gearbox oil through the pipe. Do this until the box is full.
9. Detach the funnel.
10. Fasten the bolt back in its position.

Toyota Corolla Making Noise When Off

If you hear a noise from your Toyota Corolla when it is off, this is normal. Some models perform an emission test hours after they shut down. Since the manufacturer schedules this test, it cannot be removed.

Notably, the test will run for a short time. Therefore, if you hear noise coming from your vehicle for hours after it is off, this is a sign of a severe problem. Reach out to your local Toyota store and ask for a technician’s assistance.

Toyota Corolla Water Pump Noise

Noises from the water pump are the result of an internal malfunction. In this case, the water pump has failed and must be switched out. Search for a matching water pump for your Toyota Corolla and ensure that a professional does the replacement process.

Installation mistakes can damage your new water pump and lead to transmission issues. Therefore, avoid performing the repair without professional help.

Toyota Corolla Power Steering Noise

If there’s a noise coming from the power steering, your Toyota Corolla likely needs more power steering fluid. This noise happens when there is not enough fluid inside the vehicle’s systems, often caused by a leak or continuous driving that can lower steering fluid levels.

Before adding more fluid, ensure that you purchase a high-quality option. Once you’ve picked the best power fluid available, use the following steps to siphon and replace the fluid:

1. Raise the car using a jack.
2. Detach the return line from the wheels.
3. Plug the return line’s fitting into the power steering reservoir.
4. Stick a clear hose into the return line. Secure this connection with a clamp.
5. Place the opposite end of the hose into a bucket. Let all remaining oil drain into the bucket.
6. Add new steering fluid to the power steering reservoir. You will know the container is full when red liquid starts to appear in the clear tube.
7. Disconnect the clear pipe and attach the return line to the reservoir.

Toyota Corolla Clutch Pedal Noise

If there’s a noise coming from your clutch pedal, the master cylinder has malfunctioned and needs repair. Generally, a technician can do this repair in less than two hours.

It’s best to choose a licensed Toyota repair shop because their specialists will know precisely how to fix your Corolla and prevent future problems.

Toyota Corolla Noise When Braking

If there is noise coming from your Toyota Corolla when braking, this is due to worn brake pads. However, it’s completely normal for the friction pads to wear down with regular driving.

Now, say you notice that the noise is constant. In that case, consider installing new brake pads immediately. Leaving bad brake pads in your Corolla can result in:

• Worn tires
• A broken caliper
• Damaged rotors

Owners can replace the pads themselves. However, a professional can service the brake pads at an affordable rate and do a better job.

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KnowMyAuto is the sole owner of this article was published on Apr 1, 2021 and last updated on Dec 28, 2023 .