Brake Problem... Quick help

[TBrackenPR5]

My one of my rear brake pads is so worn but the other seems like its just been chillin', barely worn. So now I need to replace them but now the caliper will not fit around the new ones, how do I get more space to slide on the caliper? the outside of the caliper where the worn pad doesn't have much space to get the caliper back on. Any ideas/help??

 

[Cleverfrog]

If its the same as the msp the piston twists instead pushes in.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

It's not the same as the MSP. For the rears, the piston is retracted by an allen screw covered up by a bolt on the caliper. See this how-to (http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113741) for info. If you're having such lopsided pad wear, one of your calipers is probably shot and you may end up needing to replace it.

 

[TBrackenPR5]

theres enough space for the pad on the inside of the rotor, but the outer one there is no space to slide on the caliper over the pad. I dont get why. And its not letting me post a picture from my computer right now for some reason.

 

[TBrackenPR5]

I did the piston already. That was easy, its getting the caliper back over the pad. Its weird why theres no room for it

 

[TBrackenPR5]

I got it guys, the bottom of the caliper where it is still attached needed to be badly lubed up, it was stiff as a rock.

 

[TBrackenPR5]

Ok, so now the caliper piston wont go in with the allen wrench... can i assume that the piston is what is leading me to the uneven brake pad wear? and is there a way to fix this besides just buying a new caliper?

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

I pmed you back but after reading this thread, I really think you're in for a new caliper. If the piston you're having trouble retracting is the one where the serious pad wear was happening, it's probably the problem. Even if you get it retracted, you will most likely just be applying a band-aid to the situation. I would go straight to caliper replacement and not waste your time trying to get this caliper to cooperate.

 

[Mazda Fan]

After backing out the allen bolt slightly (it will fall out if you go to far) I use a piece of wood on the piston and a c-clamp to carefully push the piston back. Remove the cap off the brake fluid reservoir before starting. You need to adjust the left and right rears separately with the allen bolt. This will give you the right amount of tension on your e-brake. Rotate the tires until theres friction to slow it down then back it off slightly. You want the tires to spin without to much drag. Maybe only one side was adjusted correctly before. This might have given you the uneven wear.

 

[Maroon]

Yeah, the rear calipers are a terrible design. It sucks, but you'll probably have to buy a new caliper (to the tune of like $90) because of that stupid $.02 screw.

I just went through this on mine. The screws in both caliper were completely frozen; one stripped and the other snapped. The amount of rust on the caliper was unbelievable. I wouldn't be surprised if I had to buy new calipers every time I changed pads.

How could anyone have thought this was a good design?? But I guess a manufacturer that apparently never does corrosion testing wouldn't know any better.