(T) Problem with rear caliper (changing & pads) and now have rattle

Hi Guys,

I have take my Stilo to my Uncles garage for him to put a new set of Disc's and pads all round and he appears to be struggling to get the rear caliper to wind in on the drivers side of the car. He has removed the old disc and pads and had used the specific tool for winding them in. The tool seemed to struggle to wind it in and after getting about half way home would not wind in any further, so then he unwound it again and it then got stuck and would not turn at all. He then used some brute force and managed to get it to wind in, but will now only wind in 1/3 of the way.

I really don't want to be spending in excess of £290 on a new rear caliper any suggestions on how to get the caliper to wind in.

NB! The brakes were all working fine before this work was carried out, pulling up correctly and hand brake working correctly, just big lips on disc's and pads reaching there limits as dash board warning light came on to inform me.

Many thanks for your time,

Warren

turn calliper piston in the other way

Are you (or your uncle) aware that the lefthand and righthand rear calipers wind back in opposite directions?

I suspect that if you've attempted to wind the piston out of the caliper, the triple screw arrangement that operates the handbrake and auto adjustment of the caliper is now misaligned causing it to sieze.

Hi T14086 and Davren,

Well at the time when he tried to wind in the calipers no, but since now looking I am, have just sent him an email to let him know. So Davren, the actual caliper has a 3 screw setup inside it and if you wind it the wrong way it's time for a new caliper then I take it. It cannot be wound back in . Is it possible to take the caliper apart do you know and line them back up once more?

Thanks for the v. swift response chaps,

Warren

I've only ever taken one rear caliper apart (foolishly) and never managed to get it back together again.

Bit late in the day perhaps

but this thread shows the cheap tool that could've been used

http://www.fiatforum.com/stilo/85765...back-tool.html

Thanks Darven, Argonought, we used a universal tool to trun the caliper in, which looks like a cork screw and comes with different attachement plates that fit the calipers and comes with a left and right hand thread.

So it looks like if the Caliper has been unwound too much I am going to have to purchase a new one, does anyone know if Lucas calipers are any cop, as the fiat component is over £300.

Lucas callipers are reconditioned to a high standard and their new ones are often fitted as origanal equipment by manufacturers.

Budweg calipers from here cheap as chips..


http://www.fiat.car-brakes.co.uk/

Thanks guys for all the input, we managed to get the calipers to free off and wind in by adding lubricant under the rubber boots and placing them in vices and hey presto caliper retracted and all is now well, or so it would seem. Now have a new issue, since having the brakes changed and brand new front tyres fitted, im getting a rattling noise from the front end of the car over rough surfaces, it sounds slightly metalic? my uncle suspected drop links and the anti roll bar, but could not feel any play in them. Is there anything else that could cause this sort of noise. Car appears to drive perfectly, no wandering or play anywhere. Had the MOT inspector go over it and he couldn't identify anything wrong?

He has ordered some drop links from his supplier and is planning to fit them this sunday, if the problem is still present what else could it be. All the engine mounts and wish bone joints look good so a bit at a loss here.

Many thanks once again,

Warren

Most likely drop links. Surprised MOT tester didn't spot them though. Have a look in Stilo Guides for some useful tips re droplink replacement and diagnosing front end noises. They're cheap enough and quick to replace if you're in any doubt

Thanks deckchair, yeah it's a weird one, there doesn't appear to be any play in them at all, however I have just popped to tesco and there is now a rattle coming from the rear of the car as well as the front, this was not present before the rear disc's and pad's were changed. I doubt its dodgy stuff though because I've used Lockheed pads and AC Del co disc's all round so the better quality spurious stuff.

Is there anything that can cause the rattle with regards to the actual disc's/pads being changed??

Cheers fellas,

Warren

Anti rattle sprngs come to mind.

The pads need to fit into the anti rattle springs properly but it's difficult to see how anyone could get that wrong

Hi again,

i thought it could be that but the rattle is present even when i actually drive whist feathering the brakes so am totalld it be the faces of the pads rattling against the caliper?

Pads can rattle against the disc but as you had problems with the brake handbrake adjuster screw i wonder if you have a problem there. Does the handbrake feel right? Have you put the footbrake on hard and brought up the handbrake self adjusting mechanism by continuous application of handbrake?