Technical Rear brake calipers on 1.4 500

[staffordmike]

Apologies if this has already been asked/answered but how do you dismantle and clean the rear brake calipers on the 1.4 500. I've got two copies of the e-learn manual but both only cover the front calipers and the Haynes manual doesn't cover the 1.4! It looks like I have to undo the two slider/bolt thingies is this correct?

I have tried to search previous posts and even different models of car on the forum but I can't find the answer.:bang:

 

[loveshandbags]

Apologies if this has already been asked/answered but how do you dismantle and clean the rear brake calipers on the 1.4 500. I've got two copies of the e-learn manual but both only cover the front calipers and the Haynes manual doesn't cover the 1.4! It looks like I have to undo the two slider/bolt thingies is this correct?

I have tried to search previous posts and even different models of car on the forum but I can't find the answer.:bang:

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/281466-500-disc-brakes-problems-solutions.html

Calipers on the front discs of the 1.2 if memory serves me correctly are the same as the rears on the 1.4.

On the 1.4 on the rears it needs to be done every 6 months otherwise it reduces the life of the brakes and impacts mpg - listen out for squeeling when you're reversing.

 

[306maxi]

I'm pretty sure they're different. My panda 4x4 has the same rear brakes as a 1.4 and I'm pretty sure they're different

 

[loveshandbags]

I'm pretty sure they're different. My panda 4x4 has the same rear brakes as a 1.4 and I'm pretty sure they're different

Realise that you've done the front discs on your 500 1.2 but the discs on the rear of the 500 1.4 and the A500 are the exact same size. Would be surprised if the calipers are different. The issues that I had on the 500 on the rear have not been an issue on the MiTo and when I looked at JRs pictures the design of the calipers were 'pretty' basic.

 

[306maxi]

Have a peak on nextdaybrakes

The pads are different.

Measurements for the front pads on the 1.2

Part Dims Mm: Thickness: 17, Width: 114,9, Ht: 55,2

Rear pads on 1.4
Part Dims Mm: Thickness: 13,7, Width: 95,8, Ht: 44

To the OP, if you're still stuck tomorrow I can whip a rear wheel off the back of my 4x4 and take a peek

 

[derekandclive]

Pretty sure from what I've read that the rear calipers on the 1.4 are different to the front on a 1.2. After all they have a handbrake mechanism

The 1.4 rear brakes are basically a smaller version of those on the front. The caliper is secured by two 13mm bolts onto the reaction frames.

Make sure that you copper grease the whole lot up appropriately during re-assembly otherwise there will be squeeks and binding.

If you order Brembo rear pads you get new springs and bolts included, which is nice.

 

[306maxi]

Pretty sure from what I've read that the rear calipers on the 1.4 are different to the front on a 1.2. After all they have a handbrake mechanism

The 1.4 rear brakes are basically a smaller version of those on the front. The caliper is secured by two 13mm bolts onto the reaction frames.

Make sure that you copper grease the whole lot up appropriately during re-assembly otherwise there will be squeeks and binding.

If you order Brembo rear pads you get new springs and bolts included, which is nice.

Why didn't I think of the handbrake thing too? So obvious!

You're right about the brembo kit as well, I had the discs and pads done on my Panda this week and the pad kit did indeed include springs and bolts

 

[derekandclive]

When replacing the pads on the back on my 1.4 I had to grind down the tabs on the pads a bit.

The stainless springs make the fit very tight, so even though it's all clean and copper greased the pads wouldn't slide and were quite hard to fit back in. With a little tiny bit taken off the tabs (sides and top) there seems to be no binding or noise and all working well.

Got pads from nextdaybrakes myself also, excellent service & price. I was tempted to get a pair of discs for the rear as well, as they are similarly cheap (~£20), but didn't fancy taking the rear hubs off to fit them, not just yet. Very poor design, as you can't get to the bolts holding the reaction frames on, without removing the stub-axle/hub assembly.

 

[306maxi]

I remember jnoiles mentioning that it was not a nice job. That's why I got a garage to do the job for me. I'll do the fronts myself, but didn't fancy doing the rears. Got my brembo's from nextdaybrakes too. Great price and great service

 

[jnoiles]

Shots of the rear brakes on my 1.4 Lounge:

Many motor factors (and ebc!) will sell you 1.4 500 rear pads. The pads that arrive are off a Lancia something other which are the same dimensions in every way except thickness of the friction material being too wide by about 4mm. I've had this happen 3 times now across Fiat, Mintex and EBC pads. It's most annoying.

As it happens I'm replacing my rear hubs, bearings, discs and pads next week. I'll take some pictures of the hateful process.

 

[306maxi]

The garage didn't complain about the brembo pads I supplied them perhaps they fit better?

 

[ahmett]

The garage didn't complain about the brembo pads I supplied them perhaps they fit better?

When i was watching the mechanic put the pads on they looked pretty hard to fit in. Not impossible but not so easy either. Maybe they just saw it as normal for the pads to go in hard on these types of cars?

 

[loveshandbags]

Some good information in this thread despite my incorrectly worded posts that should have included the word 'design'.

 

[staffordmike]

I'll look forward to that, more than you I guess. I had one rear bearing replaced under warranty then paid for both to be replaced earlier this year as the other side went. Not impressed with the work as when I took the rear wheel off to clean the brakes, the hub dust cap looks like it's been hit with a lump hammer. I'm still struggling to find a dealer who's really good.