was trying to decide on getting a BBK for front and rear but 2000$ for wilwood brakes is out of my budget and i really don't track my car since it is a DD. so i decided on just overhauling the OEM ones, slotted rotors and EBC greenstuff pads. also rebuild the calipers, (rear ones are sticking). i have no issues pulling the front ones apart but can't seems to figure out the rear. is there a write-up on pulling the rear calipers off and rebuilding them (i'm also glass beading them, polishing, then powder coating them) so i need to pull the spring off and be able to reassemble. but it doesn't look straight forward. any words of wisdom?

 

Yes; do some more shopping.

Who in the world has suggested that a Wilwood conversion will cost you $2k? Complete front kits very suitable to your need are well under half that price. Even considering some options for the rear (to which most will rightly point our are more cosmetic than functional) can be had comfortably under that price.

Not saying a conventional rebuild should be out of the question but if you're considering spending 400-500 per axle on overhaul kits, new rotors, ss hoses and such you owe it to yourself to at least consider options which will do the same with marked improvements as a byproduct. Even doing one conversion now and a rear rebuild would be far superior to oe rebuilds all around.

 

ok, so a complete kit minimal can be 1600$....still way out of my budget. I can't even afford to purchase front or rear kit (unless you offered an awesome NAM discount ;-) ). but i have one sticking and would like to know if there is way to completely tear down the rear caliper and reassemble with standard tools. reason being, besides the rebuild, i'm going to powder coat them, i've seen them done on NAM but none go into detail on how they got the hand brake cable off and what not.

 

Fair enough, I understand. Tearing down the stock parts should not prove so difficult. Granted I've not done a MINI caliper but a service reference book should get you going. The last set of combo calipers I took apart required you screw the piston out fully and then you could service the seal/piston. I'm pretty certain this is what you're faced with here.

FWIW; my suggestion on powder coating them is that they be done fully assembled. With the ports plugged of course. Simply tape off the piston and dust boot area. They may expand a bit with the heat but from my experience it works out ok. I have not done a bare body in 15yrs.

 

Is there a specific reason in coating with everything in place? I figured i'd have to screw the pistons out, might have to apply air pressure behind it though to get it going from the looks of things. what about the parking brake mechanism. is there a way to tear it down to inspect it and replace any seals if needed?