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Stuck caliper

Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 1:43 pm
by 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.

Stuck caliper

Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 2:00 pm
by 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

Stuck caliper

Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 2:18 pm
by Juffa
In fact here is one of the more helpful posts

J

Stuck caliper

Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 3:05 pm
by Jimmy
Thanks Juffa :P It would appear that I have the memory of a goldfish as I started that thread :lol: Ah yes, it's coming back to me now.

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