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I've heard there is a special technique, to avoid stuffing the handbrake adjustment or something like that?? - I need to put my TWR pads in (all round) for the track day Tuesday. Does this handbrake concern affect NBs? Is there an existing thread I can look at?

Thanks

Mike

The thing to remember is not to try and lever the pistons back like the front, I believe you turn them to wind them back in. However, I've never actually done the rear pads on an MX5, only front, but plenty of rear pads in my other cars.

There is an 4mm (I think) allen screw at the back of the piston that you use to wind the pads back into the caliper. It's hidden behind a short 14mm bolt at the back of the caliper next to the bracket that holds the handbrake cable.

Like PT said, do not try to push the piston back into the caliper or you will strip the thread on the adjuster.

A - Plug which conceals the allen head bolt. Ring spanner is on "A" in right photo.
J - Park Brake Cable Bracket Bolt

Notes

Keep an eye on your brake fluid level as you adjust the piston out to make sure it doesn't overflow. Turn Allen bolt anticlockwise to pull the piston and pads away from the disc

When adjusting the brakes after fitting the new pads: turn the adjuster clockwise until the pads contact the disc, then back the adjuster off 1/3 turn.

More details here

What JBT said.

Did this just yesterday putting Cobalt GTs on all corners.
Not a big issue Mike. Just go for it...

Cheers,
T

Thanks all! Job done, no sweat. Piece of cake really... the little allen key jobbies actually fall out if you tip the caliper while fiddling with the pads and those @#$%^ little clips, which gives you fright if you aren't expecting it. But they don't screw in directly, they are a splined insert into whatever screws in and out.

Oh, and if you get TWR/Lucas pads, they include a suitable sized allen key in the pack! Nice touch, I thought!