Caliper rebuild

phatMX · Postby **phatMX** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:10 pm

Hi guys,
does anyone have a link to instructions for rebuilding the calipers?
any tips?

Cheers

Babalouie · Postby **Babalouie** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:15 pm

Pretty self explanatory, I think.

Press on the brake pedal a few times to use up the vacuum assistance, then I unbolt the calipers, and I suspend the caliper in a bucket (I raise the bucket on a few bricks so that the caliper can rest on it inside).

Then gently press the brake pedal a few times and at some point the caliper piston will pop out. Then undo the brake hose, inspect for cracks and take the caliper to your bench.

Clean it with brake cleaner, and make sure that the inside of the caliper where the piston lives is clean and free of any rust. Remove the o-ring from the old piston and slide on the new o-ring. Lube up the inside of the caliper with a little fresh fluid and slide in the piston. Fit all the new rubber seals, etc that come with the caliper kit, but remember to use lots of hi temp anti seize compound on the slider pins.

Refit the caliper to the hose, put back on car, refit pads and bleed the fluid. Repeat on other side

It's pretty easy to do, the tricky part is to get the piston out without squirting fluid everywhere.

mr_rotary · Postby **mr_rotary** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:18 pm

Where do you purchase the re-build kits from? Last time I checked from mazda they do not sell them :roll:

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:23 pm

I got my seal kit from Mazda but had to get a new piston from mx5partsuk because Mazda didn't sell them. The UK mob also sell seal kits I think.

phatMX · Postby **phatMX** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:34 pm

Thanks Babalouie. Just one more question. The hi-temp anti seize compound, could I use trailer axle grease or should I use something like graphite grease.

The kit I ordered through ABS. Mazda were more expensive.
'95 front you need a kit for each caliper.
'90 Front was just one kit for both calipers.
'90 & '95 rear you need a kit for each caliper.

I'll post serial numbers later when I have the invoice in front of me.

Fatty · Postby **Fatty** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:34 pm

they also sell rebuilt calipers on an exchange basis too. you send them yr old one, they send you a rebuilt one.

Babalouie · Postby **Babalouie** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 3:06 pm

phatMX wrote:Thanks Babalouie. Just one more question. The hi-temp anti seize compound, could I use trailer axle grease or should I use something like graphite grease.

...I think you should use a product made by Loctite, called...."Hi Temp Anti Seize Compound"

phatMX · Postby **phatMX** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:02 pm

cheers

john! · Postby **john!** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:48 pm

How much did you pay for the rebuild kits? I know when I got my 1.8 calipers, I ended getting them reconditioned (they were probably ok, but I don't like to cut corners with brakes). From memory it was just over 400 to get them reco'd.

Interested to see how the prices compare.

john

Babalouie · Postby **Babalouie** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:30 pm

Depends on whether you get a new piston and slider pins with it. If not, then it's just a bag of new rubber bellows and an o-ring for the old piston. IIRC I think it's pretty cheap, like $30 or something.

But some places that reco them professionally will hone out the piston bore, etc so there is lots you can do.