Not enough room for the new brake pad in the calliper

I'm just replacing the rear brake pads on a 200TDI, got the old ones out okay, noticed quite a bit of uneven wear on the old ones; one on the NS was down to the metal while the OS were okay, more than 3 or 4mm left on the pad.



Now I'm putting the new set in starting with the OS rear and I can't get the pad in the space between the calliper piston and the disk. the piston is pushed all the way back. When I look at the disk is is quite off centre in terms of where it sits in the calliper.


Anyone seen this before, any ideas?

wheel bearing loose ?pistons actually fully back flush with casting?sounds like you need new discs and calipers ,90 or 110 anyhow slot for disc in caliper doesnt allways look central but as long as doesnt catch and pistons are equally spaced from disc doesnt matter 90 and 110 use different discs at rear

Hi James,

It's a 90. Bit of movement on the OS rear wheel when i try moving it up and down so bearing may need replacing? No movement when I do the same on the NS. If the bearing is on its way out that can cause this can it?

Yes to the pistons actually fully back flush with casting.

Callipers are going to interesting to get off if they need replacing, they're right old! Looks like an angle grinder job as those bolts look well corroded.

i wouldnt anhgle grind them off, theyre not nuts and bolts but thread into casing ,they are very hard harder than standard bolts so not easy to remove by drilling ,an 1/2 inch bihex socket is what is needed to remove them,hitting bolt head hard and square will help free it ,if brakes are wearing unevenly i would change calipers they arent expensive £30 ish if you look around,