mx5cartalk.com

My brakes are kinda terrible and it's not fun.
I have/had 4 problems with my brakes
1. shuddering/pulsing when braking at low speeed
2. uneven pad wear
3. mushy pedal
4. fluid leak at small screw under master cylinder

I've been able to improve braking a bit, but more needs to be done. Since i'm figuring things out as I go i'd really like advice if I do something wrong!
1. Should I just buy new discs? They seem pretty cheap
2. I found heaps of gunk/sand(wtf?) around the sliders and brake pistons. Cleaned up as best as I could. Some pistons are chipped.. Guess I should replace?
3. New fluid + bleed. Pedal feels better, but not as hard as i'd like. Would new brake hoses help?
4. IDK what this is. Some kind of drain scew? Do I just tighten it? Is the master cylinder broken?

Don't have heaps of money to spend atm, so I can't get some fancy after-market brakes.
What do you guys suggest? What are some easy ways to imrove braking?

First off WELCOME.

Now lets sort out these brakes, the pad uneven and lousy brake pedal feel is caused by sticking/ seized sliders. Can also cause shudder on very light braking.
The master cylinder leak is a real concern, My advise is throw it in the bin and buy a NEW one, don't bother rekitting or using someones good one from their car, get a new one.
As your pads are worn uneven, you will need new pads, if replacing the rears you will have to adjust the handbrake adjustment inside the rear calipers, this will also adjust the pads to the rotors and can/will give you a better pedal.Make sure you flush the entire system and braided lines won't hurt.Don't worry about rust/chips in the pistons that you can see when looking at the caliper, its whats under the boot that decides if new pistons are required.

Finally, where the hell are you, please put your location in so we can advise who is local and can help.

Terry

Thanks Terry that helps. Added location too. I'm in Sydney.

Agree with the sliders sticking. Make sure you buy brake grease for them.

Agree on the master, replace with new.

Remember the NA6 rear calipers have to be wound out you cannot push the piston out, if you do things will break!

Uhh yeah.. Things did break (or at least come apart). I didn't discover the allen screw adjustment until after I removed the rear pistons.. which was done before I discovered mx5cartalk. Getting the "hand brake adjuster thingy" inside the piston again was difficult, but it seems to work ok.

Either way I will buy 4 replacement pistons since all have some pits down the sides.

How difficult would it be to fit an NC brake master cylinder on my car? They seem cheaper than NA master cylinder!

FM,
http://www.rockauto.com
$113.13 delivered (aus $) Master cylinder with res
Pistons F $10 to $15 R $25 plus shipping

Good place to buy stuff from.

Terry

Duuuuude. That link is so useful.
I've been looking all day and I could only find cheapo "new" rekitted cardone MCyl or OEM MCyl for >= $500! or aftermarket stuff that was either sold out or possibly not compatible.

Seriously excited that I wont be stuck with stupid public transport

edit: Thanks Terry!