I recently put a set of EBC Greenstuff pads on the rear of my 96 Miata. Even after removing the 14mm bolt & loosening the Allen screw, I stll couldn't get the right-rear caliper loose enough to slide over the pads with the backing plates on, so I left them off.
I finally had more time to dig into it again & I still can't get it to work. So far I've put a clamp on the caliper piston while I back out the set screw - I feel the screw get loose, but the piston doesn't move. I also tried loosening the MC cap & bleeder screw on that caliper - I got fluid out, but the brake still feels locked solid.
Fwiw - when I ran without the anti-squeal plates, the brakes felt fine. No pull or anything. Is it possible the e-brake cable is too tight, or should I look at buying a caliper
I've seen a few aftermarket pads that were just a bit thicker than the stock ones, and the pistons simply don't retract far enough to make them fit.
I'd say caliper. Be VERY sure that you're putting even pressure across the whole piston, otherwise it'll cant to the side and bind.
That was probably stupid "yeah, i knew that" advice, but i've fallen into that trap myself.
Thanks for the replies!
Keith - The driver's side rear pads went in fine. They were thicker & it seemed like I had to back the adjuster all the way out for them to fit, but they did fit & I was able to adjust the pads per the recommendation from your book.
So, would it be the end of the world if I didn't run the anti-squeal plates on the pads? I didn't have any noise when I took it to the autox & back like that.
Definitely not the end of the world.
Yep the only problem you might have is...squealing...