NA8 Handbrake setup?

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 1:25 pm

tbro wrote:You would be surprised at the amount of mechanics out there that have no clue on how to set up and adjust brakes properly.

I'm not surprised any more, I've seen it too often. Almost all self-adjusting disc brake systems only self adjust when the cable is loose. Some workshops will keep on tightening and tightening the cable instead until there's no function left in the parking brake at all, then charge $1,000 to replace the calipers and re-start the cycle. It's really satisfying to get one of these cars and to back off the cable until all of a sudden you hear the self-adjusters taking up.

dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 1:29 pm

Does it matter which end I back off? can I just
Keep on turning the screw in the cabin anti clockwise until it stops turning?

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dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 1:46 pm

So I'm going to try adjust it again when I finish work. How should I so it. This is how I understand it please correct me if I'm wrong. 1. back off the screw inside the cabin. 2 back off the callipers. 3 screw calipers back in hard up then 1/4 turn back. 4 then adjust slack cable with screw in the cabin? Is there anything I need to do to reset the self adjusters or as you guys say should the slack cable be enough.

How does the self adjuster actually work. What happens when it resets?

Thanks again

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manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 1:51 pm

With Peugeots they used to self-adjust as soon as the cables were slack enough. I think that with MX5s you need to pump the brakes while the cables are slack and the actuating levers at the calipers are fully back at their stops.

dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 1:58 pm

So you mentioned that I will here them reset?

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dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 4:50 pm

Also is one side supposed to feel like it's rubbing more then the other due to the diff or something. I also noticed there's brown fluid when I opened the 14mm nut is that right?

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tbro · Postby **tbro** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 8:05 pm

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

No and No, both sides should feel roughly the same, the brown fluid would be rusty crap inside the back end of the caliper, means your caliper needs rekitting.
To adjust the calipers remove plug tighten grub screw refit plug and pump pedal 4 or 5 times, refit cable and adjust cable so there is equal flex in both cables,
make sure that the balance bar under the car is level,try handbrake and adjust more if necessary.

Terry

dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 8:36 pm

Alright. so i readjusted everything, i managed to get the rear brakes balanced and now the handbrakes working a lot better. It wont exactly do dry slides but so far i think its holding on hills it starts to really pull up at about 8 clicks and theres no slack at that point if i tighten the cables any more the disks start rubbing too much. By the way when i let off all the slack and a pumped the brakes, as soon as i touched the pedal i heard a big klunky sorty snapping noise which im assuming was the self adjuster at work.

Could that brown fluid be causing me problems? Does that mean theres a leak in the hydraulic system?

Thanks for your help guys its almost there now

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 8:49 pm

dmad_dood wrote:as soon as i touched the pedal i heard a big klunky sorty snapping noise which im assuming was the self adjuster at work.

Correct.

dmad_dood wrote:Could that brown fluid be causing me problems? Does that mean theres a leak in the hydraulic system?

Thanks for your help guys its almost there now

I'd say that at some point you'll need to dismantle the calipers, clean them out and fit new seals, etc. Not super urgent but it will bite you if you let it go.

dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 9:10 pm

So it shoudn't make a difference to braking performance (normal driving and handbrake)?

gslender · Postby **gslender** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 11:13 pm

If you've got old crappy fluid then take the time to dismantle the callipers. The kit is about $25 and the task takes 2-3 hours for the first time and half that for the second time. You will need 1 special tool to remove the circlip - I'd do them for you for a case of beer!

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dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 6:02 am

gslender wrote:If you've got old crappy fluid then take the time to dismantle the callipers. The kit is about $25 and the task takes 2-3 hours for the first time and half that for the second time. You will need 1 special tool to remove the circlip - I'd do them for you for a case of beer!

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xxxx?

I replaced the fluid in there a few months ago but interestingly enough when i bled that calliper It took around 10-15 pumps to get all the air out of that line where the other side was fine. When i had it up in the air i span both sides with the handrbrake up and they were locking thou.

gslender · Postby **gslender** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:34 am

dmad_dood wrote:xxxx?

Case of Crown Lager and the parts and a caliper back all fresh, refitted and painted looking like new.

I have two (2) NA6 MX5s and I've done this a few times now. It is actually a fairly rewarding task and relatively easy if you have the right tools and workspace.

Here is an article I wrote about doing the front pair!
http://rednels.com/2013/02/20/bad-brakes-good/

G

dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 8:29 am

It says your in Queensland. Isint xxxx all you guys drink hahaha. If I'm doing the rears is it worth doing them as a pair? Only the one was leaking. When I get a chance I'll have a read of your write up I'm sure it's more or less the same for the rears. Thanks

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dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 4:47 pm

So now I'm really stuck.. I was driving home today and I basically lost brakes as I got home then I looked at the suss caliper and fluid everywhere I took the calliper completely off and noticed that it looks like it's leaking from behind the handbrake return spring if that's possible is there a seal inside there?

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