So I went to perform a routine pad change and ran into some trouble. First, my lug nut key cracked and split wide open ffffuuu

My next road bump was concerning the lower caliper bolt (The one bolt that allows the caliper arm to swing open to change the pads). It unscrews nicely for about an inch and then just spins. I tried getting pliers and yanking it out of the hole but I'm unable to make it budge. I begin to screw it back into the hole and it does so easily. I've tried to screw it in and back it out multiple times. Same thing on both sides of the rear.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

There's only about an inch of threads and then it slides out. There's more than likely some old grease crusted on the pin and catching on the rubber boot on the way out. Keep pulling.

 

thank you. I finally got it out. I can't manage to get the caliper piston to go back in...snapped a metal c clamp in half...this is the brake job from hell

 

Back or front? Make sure to back off the Allen screw in back calipers.

 

If you used a c-clamp on the rears, it's about to get worse when you find out that attempting to compress the rears with a clamp necessitates replacement of both rear calipers.

 

Cluster, meet ----.

 

Read this.

Changing Miata Brake Pads

 

Sav has it right. If you've used a C-clamp on them, the calipers are probably toast. Go order a set of remans from Rockauto.com and buy yourself a Haynes manual.