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Question on caliper piston adjustment

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Old 04-30-2012, 12:48 PM
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Default Question on caliper piston adjustment

I finally took time to install my rear brakes few days ago. Setup is EBC Greenstuff pads on top of new OEM blank rotors.

In order to get everything to fit properly I had to adjust the allen screw in the back of the caliper to get piston to come out ALL the way (won't go further) and even then it took few tries to fit everything together. So far it works great although it took couple dozen miles to "shave" pads/rotors a bit so they aren't always in contact.

Did anyone ever stumble on something like this before? Personally I've never had to do anything like this ever in my life.
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Old 04-30-2012, 12:53 PM
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That doesn't sound right. I just put pads and rotors on mine (rebuilt, OEM pads), and I had several turns of adjustment before the pads contacted.

Are you sure it was all the way back? Those adjustment doohickys tend to get gummed up a little.
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Old 04-30-2012, 12:58 PM
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Yeah, pistons were all the way in on both sides. These pads did look pretty damn thick though.
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Old 04-30-2012, 04:20 PM
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I think mine were the same way when I did mine. If they are too tight you'll know by the smell/heat.
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Old 04-30-2012, 05:28 PM
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It smelled a bit for about 50 miles but it's much better now.
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Old 04-30-2012, 07:06 PM
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I have just been ******** around with mine after a 1800 rear end swap. the calipers it came with were gummed up solid, the handbrake lever wouldn't return etc...had to put back the original caliper which appear to be the same size while i send back the newer ones under warranty....

I think if your handbrake works properly and the rubbing / heat etc has gone you are probably good to go...
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Old 04-30-2012, 07:21 PM
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I have ebc greenstuff on OEM size rotors, I had plenty of adjustment left over when they were installed. Just set the adjustment to work with the parking brake and they were perfect.
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Old 04-30-2012, 08:09 PM
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E-brake adjustment and regular braking adjustment are too different things. If one is dragging the other may not be.

I had similar problems with my right rear.
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Old 04-30-2012, 08:19 PM
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Uh, no. There is only one adjustment to be made.
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Old 04-30-2012, 09:20 PM
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Well, there's two actually.

The handle and the piston.
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Old 04-30-2012, 10:07 PM
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Yes, but I meant at the caliper itself. Adjusting the handle won't do much at the caliper end. All that does is adjust the length of pull.
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Old 05-01-2012, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by UrbanSoot
It smelled a bit for about 50 miles but it's much better now.
Interesting, I kind of wondered how long it would take for them to wear down/adjust themselves. As long as they aren't getting really hot I wouldn't worry.
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Old 05-01-2012, 06:23 PM
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After I've adjusted the calipers (with e-brake cables disconnected on both sides), everything was nice and snug. Rotors had some minor rust on them from sitting outside for about half a week. Everything works perfect now.
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