Mx5 - Handbrake Brake

ozmo

Mazda MX5 1997 (Irish)

Had Rear Calipers replaces years ago - worked fine - but its gone again. Same thing - handbrake not stopping the car from moving.

The cable is tight - handbrake is firm - just doesnt prevent the car from moving. Ive tried tightening the bolt in the handbreak lever.
It definitely not a stretched brake cable.


Is there something else I can adjust rather than get the Calipers replaced again?


eg. Would tightening this help? And where is it if it would help?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-MX5-Rear-Brake-Caliper-actuator-adjuster-All-Model-up-to-2005-/311262895767?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&fits=Model%3AMX-5&hash=item4878b6de97


thanks...

cletus

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b2E6WLOeEto

Watch from 2 minutes in. This is assuming you have drum in disc rear brake setup

dr.fuzzenstein

cletus wrote: »

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b2E6WLOeEto

Watch from 2 minutes in. This is assuming you have drum in disc rear brake setup

It does not.
This is a brilliant video on rebuilding mx5 rear calipers;


NB Miata Rear Caliper Rebuild: http://youtu.be/O8KmC4_fgpU

No need to get calipers replaced and absolutely no need to order random bits of eBay. Have a look first what is amiss. I've fiddled with the rear calipers many times and correct setup is key. Random svreqs disappearing is unlikely.

ozmo

cletus wrote: »

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b2E6WLOeEto

Watch from 2 minutes in. This is assuming you have drum in disc rear brake setup

ahh - thats awsome - was hoping it was something like that when I saw that part for sale on ebay. thanks very much for the vid.

Think my garage swapped out two perfectly good rear calipers last time :rolleyes:

And it was the third garage in D15 I brought it to before I let them replace it...

ozmo

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

It does not.
This is a brilliant video on rebuilding mx5 rear calipers;


NB Miata Rear Caliper Rebuild: http://youtu.be/O8KmC4_fgpU

yes its discs front and rear - no drums for handbrake.

But there is a separate non-hydraulic(mechanical cable pulls a lever on the calipers) mechanism for the disk brake for the handbrake.

Does that have the adjustment screw mentioned in the video?

the calipers were only replaced in 2012 - can't be worn or rusty already??

cletus

Sorry, wasn't trying to mislead, cursory look at the video with no audio, it looked like the rears had drum in disc. Carry on gentlemen

dr.fuzzenstein

ozmo wrote: »

yes its discs front and rear - no drums for handbrake.

But there is a separate non-hydraulic(mechanical cable pulls a lever on the calipers) mechanism for the disk brake for the handbrake.

Does that have the adjustment screw mentioned in the video?

the calipers were only replaced in 2012 - can't be worn or rusty already??

http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=17776

Really you just screw the pads in and out with the adjustment screw on the caliper but it is self adjusting. Step 37 is the interesting bit in that link.
If your handbrake doesn't grip there is a problem with the caliper, they're tricky to set up and if someone doesn't know what they're doing, the handbrake won't work. You calipers should not be worn.
Best way, on a weekend take them apart and put it back together follwing the first video I posted, it really is brilliant. You can order the rebuild kit, or you can just take them apart and put them back together, I bet they're set up wrong.
Don't forget to bleed your brakes!

dr.fuzzenstein

cletus wrote: »

Sorry, wasn't trying to mislead, cursory look at the video with no audio, it looked like the rears had drum in disc. Carry on gentlemen

Maybe incorrect assumption, but completely correct video.
I think we got MX5 rear brakes fairly well covered on this thread.
Good car to have for DIY with the amount of information available.

Just a few more things on hand brake adjustment:
IMO the allen key in the caliper is to adjust the pads after replacement, this applies to the foot brake. The handbrake should be adjusted from the cockpit once that is complete.

ozmo

cletus wrote: »

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b2E6WLOeEto

Watch from 2 minutes in.

Mixed info out there on what this adjustment does-
But just to confirm here that this simple adjustment as shown does indeed adjust the handbrake.
Tightening the handbrake lever screw and replacing the handbrake cable had no effect but tightening this and the handbrake works again

Thanks