Stuck caliper

[Jimmy]

After returning from a week long "business" trip to Adelaide, I left for work this morning to find my rear left caliper remained firmly clamped to the disc. I tried rocking the car back and forward (1st-reverse-1st-reverse) and it wouldn't release. I went for a spin around the block playing with the brake and handbrake but still it remained clamped and started smoking. Does anyone have any pointers on how to get the thing apart? (Preferably without taking the caliper off/apart) And what causes a caliper to become stuck?

Thanks in advance,
Jimmy.

[Juffa]

This is a known issue with the MX-5. Bascially the slider pin that the piston moves in/out on has corroded, and the brake is now seized. Regular maintenance by greasing the slider pins generally keeps this at bay.

I'm not aware of any fix that does not involve removing the brake assembley from the car.

There are some good posts on this and the big forum on ways to confirm and fix the issue.

J

[Juffa]

In fact here is one of the more helpful posts

J

[Jimmy]

Thanks Juffa It would appear that I have the memory of a goldfish as I started that thread Ah yes, it's coming back to me now.

Lesson for the Kids: Grease your rear (and front) caliper pins OFTEN.