The rear brakes on my 1994 FD are sticking in a closed position. Took the the right rear caliper off and opened up the brake line. Used a C-clamp to push the piston in which was very difficult and could not get it pushed in all the way. I believe that I need the calipers rebuilt. Any suggestions on where I can either get parts or have them rebuilt. I ran across Apple Hydraulics on the internet and I'm going to contact them. Has anyone used them?

Thanks!

 

You can buy the rebuild kit from Mazda.

 

Phoenix Caliper outside Chicago is supposed to be good.

I have a spare set of calipers I was gearing up to send his way.

http://www.phoenixcaliper.com/

Fair pricing and sounds like pretty quick turnaround.

The thing they puts me off about rebuilding myself is the integrated eBrake.

 

I am pretty sure the factory rear caliper pistons need to be rotated/screwed in to compress them? Was the caliper frozen/binding while in use? Or just while you were handling it during brake maintenance? I think forcing the piston back in with a c clamp damages the internal ebrake mechanism, you may need to look into replacement.

 

The pistons do have to be turn back in. With that said, it's likely not a simple pad change anymore, at over 30 years old moisture has probably breached the seals on the back for the parking brake actuators and the calipers should be rebuilt. it's not a hard job but you need to decide if its worth a few hours to you. I used Phoenix Brake Co. (which Matt mentioned) a few years ago because they were very reasonably priced and promised a quick turn around. I think I got my calipers back in about a week and they're still working great.

 

Cgotto6 is correct. The rear brake caliper piston needs to be rotated to move it in or out because of the parking brake mechanism. A tool like this (https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/APX3163D) makes the job easier, especially if the piston is binding.