3 replies to this topic

[Stiglookalike]

I’ve got a mini flame 1990? 998.
I’ve had it sorn since COVID. Now have a bit of time to get it running again. I think the callipers are sticking on one side. (One side locked up when I tried braking at low speed).
What’s suggestions please.

The pads and discs already need changing.
I would like to keep things as original as possible as is everything else on the car. Although I don’t have much in depth mechanical experience.
So should I replace like for new like callipers or renovated (or get someone to renovate) the originals.
What’s best?

And best place for parts?

[Spider]

If the general condition of the castings are OK, then recondition what you have.

[Ethel]

They might free off if it's just from lack of use. 

 

Pop one pad back in (with the other 3 brakes fully assembled!) stand on the pedal once to push the padless piston farther out. Inspect the piston for rust & crustiness & clean/scrape as appropriate.  Push the piston back in, there are tools, but levering with a big spanner works. Pop a pad back in & do the other side of the caliper.

 

It is possible to eject the  pistons, but they're designed to wear the pads down to the metal without that happening. After a few times you should be able to judge it well enough & find that you can push one piston out by pushing the other in, which is a fair indication they are freed up.

 

The actual fluid seal is a good way inside the caliper, so even if the piston is crusty where you can see it, it may well be ok where it matters, for now at least.

[bpirie1000]

Wire brush everything.. just watch the flexi pipe from the brake fluid.

I sometimes get a random bit of metal thinner than the brake pad (1/2"spanner) stick it where the pad on one side goes then pump the pedal. Then clean it up and push piston back.

Repeat if necessary...