Technical Rear brake calipers

[vale of uscon]

All,

As its Easter I've been changing the brake pads on my 1986 1500cc X1/9.
The front pair were no problem.
However both rear caliper pistons seemed stuck.
The car has done 56k miles, the front pads have been changed I assume once, about 50% wear on the existing pad. Whereas the rear look like originals, with 20% pad remaining.
I didn't disconnect the hand brake cable as the caliper came off the disk.
Would this effect the piston operation?

Replacement rear calipers seem like hens teeth, so if they are both stuck I might have a bit of a problem.
Any thoughts?

Regards,

Simon

 

[purf]

Hi Simon.

I'm not the best at brakes but I have read that the calipers need rebuilding sometimes.

There might be some adjustment in order to adjust the handbrake?

I doubt it would have passed an mot if they were seized?

Usually you have to wind the calipers in to allow the new pads. It's best to open the bleed nipple to do this to reduce strain on the master cylinder. Careful with the bleed nipples though as they often snap.

Worst case the calipers can be refurbished or just reassembled diy with new seals.

 

[Maigretnz]

The handbrake mechanism will prevent the piston retracting. One needs to wind the piston back in.