Change the handbrake pads without removing the suspension ?

[BAHADORI]

Hello,

Has anyone ever been able to change the hand brake pads without removing the complete rear suspension.

My S1 rear end was brand new (with Series 2 calipers), and I have a pad lining that has taken off the metal.

I am wondering if it is possible to change it by dismantling piece by piece the calipers.

Has anybody you experience this?


Thanks


Best Regards.


Jacques

[christopher storey]

It is possible in some cases, but it does rather depend on the amount of clearance on your particular car between the top of the IRS and the underside of the body, in that sufficient clearance is needed to get the handbrake pad carriers away from the main calipers, and if this is not sufficient on your car then the only option is to lower the IRS. It requires the bolts which hold the bronze spring forks ( called retraction plates in the manual ) to be removed and getting the forks back in is probably the most difficult part of the job. Also, a lot of the job has to be done by feel rather than direct vision, although a small hand mirror can be a help

You will find that this part of the workshop manual in the knowledge base on this site tells you how to do it ( page LY.s.11,12 and 13 )

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8496016/S2%20Se ... Brakes.pdf

[mgcjag]

Hi jaques....have u looked behind the seats above the IRS.....to see if a previous owner has cut access holes and fitted cover plates....this was sometimes done to access the rear pads....Steve

[abowie]

And look in the boot to see if there's an access plate there.
The handbrake pads are held in place with a special bolt. It has a 3/16"AF nut on it. When loosened the pad will slide out. Have a look at the new pads to see how the slot is oriented. Looking at some pictures, if it's the outboard one you may be ok but the inboard one looks hard to get at.
If not removing and replacing a newly rebuilt IRS really isn't a hard job at all and might be easier than trying to get the pads out in situ.

[BAHADORI]

Hello,

Ok, thank you for all the advice. unfortunately there is no access from the body.
I'll try and I'll keep you posted.

Thanks

Best Regards.


Jacques

[BAHADORI]

Hello,

I tried the operation last weekend on one side only (3 hours work).

I therefore confirm that it is possible to change the brake pads without removing the complete suspension but it is very painful.

By cons, it is impossible to remove the hand brake pads without dismanting the handbrake system.


Here is the workflow:
* Dismantling of the connecting pin off pi?ce No. 25 with rods handbrake system.
* Removing the screws No. 40 (differential side) securing the brake caliper to the handbrake system. Since I Series 2 brake calipers (in the cage of my series1), it took a little twisted sheet metal of the cage to remove this screws.
* The outer screws (wheel side) could not get out. It was therefore necessary remove the brake caliper and pads disassemble the 2 halves of the caliper by unscrewing the 4 screws (without removing the connecting pipe between the two pistons). Then lowering his ? caliper (wheel side), I could remove the screws No. 40 side wheel.
* Recover the lock washer No. 42 and the bronze Fork No.41.
* Detach the brake caliper brake system, passing his hand from behind. Then rotating the assembly around the brake disk to the exit on the lower rear portion of the cage. It can just get out!


* After changing pads, you should do the operation in reverse. Beware, it is very difficult to put the two ends of the bronze fork No. 41 in 2 handbrake shoes No. 43 and No. 44. To the one side of the differential (No. 43), it can be done with a small mirror from the finger to the side.
To the one side wheel (No. 44), I had to disassemble a rear shock to pass in front of the fingers.

I think it is always faster to do this operation completely disassemble the suspension.
Good luck to those who want to try ....

Jacques

[rolando38]

Well done !
?nd thanks for sharing
A few pics of steps 3 and 5 would compl?te nicely