Rear brakes

[gloriousinsanity]

I have a 93 v6 mx-3 with disc brakes in the rear. My pop and I were attempting to replace the rotors and pads on both sides. We are positive we have the correct rotors, however the pads though they fit in place well, appear too tall on the friction surface. It seems we are short 2-3mm in width to get the rotor in between the pads.

My question is, does anyone know what the dimensions of new pads are supposed to be, so I can double check that these are correct or not. We have done everything we can to open the caliper up that little bit, and it seems it is as wide as she is gonna get. BTW, my dad is having the same problem on the right side, brand new caliper, that hasn't even had fluid in it yet.

Any help, ideas, suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.
glorious

[umcamara]

You need to push the piston into the caliper as far as you can. I believe the piston in the rear calipers screws in somehow. On my RS, the front pistons can be pressed in with a c-clamp or similar tool. I don't have rear discs though. Also, the caliper floats on the slide pins, so make sure those aren't seized to the caliper and preventing the pads from opening up completely. Being that it's a new caliper on one side I can't see that being the problem though.

[rekognize]

Turn the piston clockwise with needlenose pliers to push it in, don't attempt to use c-clamps, you're gonna ruin it.

Take out the sliders and clean them up, run em through a bench grinder with wire brush or similar, buy a tube of caliper grease and you're set.

[Mike Wakeham]

Turn the piston clockwise with needlenose pliers to push it in, don't attempt to use c-clamps, you're gonna ruin it.

Take out the sliders and clean them up, run em through a bench grinder with wire brush or similar, buy a tube of caliper grease and you're set.

+1

The rears will turn it. You'll need to push on the piston and at the same time turn it, it should then start to wind back in fine. You don't need alot of force but don't be too shy with it. Helps if you can get someone to hold the caliper while you push and wind. I can't remember now if they're handed for each side??

Needlenose pliers are good for this. I use the pronged spanner that came with my angle grinder to change the grinding discs on my calipers. It fits perfectly.

If you are having problems you can buy a wind back tool fairly cheap at most parts stores.
Something like this:
http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Disc-Brake ... tegory=113" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[muttpower]

If the caliper is new, you shouldn't need any special tool, just needle nose pliers to twist/push the pot back into the caliper. The rear brakes can be a bit quirky sometimes compared to the fronts, but if you work with it and ensure everything is aligned right, the pads should be the correct size...

[rekognize]

Note that if you turn it the wrong way and the piston manages to pop out of the socket; you're pretty much screwed

[muttpower]

Good point rekognize I guess I forgot to mention that...although, if someone was screwing their pot back in, and it's coming out instead, I'd hope they would have the common sense to start turning it the other way, but you never know these days...

[gloriousinsanity]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm heading back out to my pop's place sunday night so I'll give these tips a try. G

[wytbishop]

Miata pads are slightly larger. Make sure you have the right pads.

[gloriousinsanity]

Thanks for the tip about the miata pads, that may well be my issue. I found pads at autovalue and compared them to the ones that crackhead tire gave me. The appear to be thinner than the crappy tire ones, so I think I found my problem. Thanks for the info on the miata pads, definitely info to file for later. Heading out to my pops tomorrow night to try and finish the beast, I'll let you know how it goes.

[gloriousinsanity]

Hey all, finished the car today. Wow what a difference the right freaking parts make. As well, thanks for the tip on turning the cylinder with the needle nose pliers. Things came together quickly tonight with much less colorful language than the other night, lol.

Anyways, again, thanks, G