Bought my Panda 4x4 new late in 2018, however shortly after collecting it I noticed one of the rear calipers wasn't working as the disc was going rusty, which was fixed under warranty.

Fast forward and I've recently been getting an unusual old wheelbarrow type intermittent squeak particularly after descending a hill. Noticed when you press the brake pedal it stops and have since tried slightly applying the handbrake which also stops the squeak, so suspect its a rear brake issue.

Have taken it to the local dealer (not the supplying as I've since moved house) but they say its no longer a warranty issue, so they want to charge a packet to do a full service on the brakes; cars done less than 11k!!!

However I think its a fault with that rear caliper again not working correctly, so thinking I should try remove it from the disk myself and have a look, which I have the skills to do but I'd like to find a manual to give some guidance on torque settings and parts breakdown etc.

Anybody advise on where I might find such a manual?

Thanks

Hi.

Its probably sticky pads and carrier

Its moving the caliper fine by either method.. foot or hand

Plenty of detail on here..as it was a common item to squeak while reversing

https://www.fiatforum.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=4126425


Not sure you will find a manual though..

Charlie

Thanks for the quick reply, OK in reverse its going forward in my case but sounds like the issue.

Do let us know what you find

The rear callipers on the 4x4 models are quite an effort to remove - search this forum though as there’s a clear ‘how to’ post in here. Note: one pad on the front and one in the back has a protruding metal tab that makes contact with the disc to make an intermittent squeak (and later a more define squeal) as the pads wear down. Just taking a wheel off will let you see if it’s ‘just’ pad wear that’s the issue.
EDIT: searched for you See this post by Yellow Car for detailed info on how to remove the rear callipers from a 4x4 model https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/437398-4x4-rear-brake-discs-3.html?p=4377889

Herts Hillhopper said:

The rear callipers on the 4x4 models are quite an effort to remove - search this forum though as there’s a clear ‘how to’ post in here. Note: one pad on the front and one in the back has a protruding metal tab that makes contact with the disc to make an intermittent squeak (and later a more define squeal) as the pads wear down. Just taking a wheel off will let you see if it’s ‘just’ pad wear that’s the issue.
EDIT: searched for you See this post by Yellow Car for detailed info on how to remove the rear callipers from a 4x4 model https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/437398-4x4-rear-brake-discs-3.html?p=4377889

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I can endorse Yellow Car's post, its very useful; however the comment from Mr Hillhopper isn't strictly accurate (sorry Herts). Caliper removal is relatively straight forward as you will see. It is the disc removal that creates the challenge! Hopefully your issue is with the pads/caliper. I found when doing this job (disc replacement) the new pads (OEM from Shop4Parts on this site) have a modification to the springs from those originally fitted.

Thanks for the further replies, likewise hoping I can get away with just freeing up the pads having seen the disc removal process is a little interesting; thought only aircraft designers came up with having to remove the engine to access one bolt!!!

Ed875 said:

Thanks for the further replies, likewise hoping I can get away with just freeing up the pads having seen the disc removal process is a little interesting; thought only aircraft designers came up with having to remove the engine to access one bolt!!!

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Yes - to remove the pads and 'explore' the calliper is easy - (after releasing the handbrake cable) just unscrew the bottom (and visible) bolt on the calliper and it swings free (after popping the pads out). I did replace the pads, but not the discs, on my previous 4x4 and it was all very easy. But as you have now seen, the disc is a whole different ball game!

Herts Hillhopper said:

Yes - to remove the pads and 'explore' the calliper is easy - (after releasing the handbrake cable) just unscrew the bottom (and visible) bolt on the calliper and it swings free (after popping the pads out). I did replace the pads, but not the discs, on my previous 4x4 and it was all very easy. But as you have now seen, the disc is a whole different ball game!

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I don't think you need to remove the handbrake cable either unless you want the caliper off the vehicle? The hydraulic hose will be the limiting factor.

Panda IIs said:

I don't think you need to remove the handbrake cable either unless you want the caliper off the vehicle? The hydraulic hose will be the limiting factor.

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Previously I‘ve chosen to unhook the end of the cable... then the caliper just swings round, hinged on the bolt that doesn’t get removed.

Have now had chance to take things apart; found I needed to remove both the top and bottom bolt as the caliper would not swing out, ended up having to gently prise it out with a screwdriver. Left the brake cable in place as it rested nicely on top of the disk.

Not to much dust but like the caliper the pads needed teasing out too, all very dry. On refitting I noticed the inner pad is a little tighter fit than the outer, even though I cleaned all the crud off the parts.

Piston moved without effort when I rewound it a little, so no issue there.

Done a short test drive but need a longer run to see if the squeak has been eradicated.

My rears squealed like a stuck pig because the pads weren't releasing. Ended up changing the pads (which were only half worn), and filing some of the edge off the new ones, to allow them to move in the carriers. Lots of copper grease in the right places, and all's been OK since. Shouldn't have been necessary, though - poor design/quality.