Sticking on after using hand brake

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:23 am

A couple of times now my left rear caliper has stuck on after releasing the hand brake. The adjuster on the caliper is working fine as I used it when I put new pads in last week (sticking happened prior to this as well). Has anybody pulled one apart that might know what is causing it?

Thanks, Andrew

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:29 am

Did you grease the slider pins?

It's possible they're gummed up and causing it to sick.

If not maybe use the adjuster to let it back a bit.

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:21 am

Slider pins fully lubed (caliper slides freely) and the adjuster was backed off the recommended 1/2-1/3 of a turn. It appears to be the hand brake mechanism that pushes the piston that's causing the trouble?

Andrew

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:44 am

You may need to play around with the tension until you get it right. It could be that the hex adjuster is now a tad too loose. Don't use the tension figures as gospel, as it can vary from car to car obviously.

How many clicks are you getting out of the handbrake before you start popping veins through straining? Does it come up quite high, more than the normal rough 7-8 clicks where it should be?

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 11:39 am

Hopefully the adjuster will sort it, but if it persists then could be corrosion:
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=42278&p=543963

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:38 pm

To get to the bottom of the problem I'm going to rebuild my rear calipers, it seems simple enough. Where is the best place to get a rebuild/seal kit for them? Mazda? Repco? Supercheap? About how much are they?

Thanks, Andrew.

DaveWA · Postby **DaveWA** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:45 pm

might be worth flushing the brake fluid as well

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:04 pm

OMY005 wrote:Where is the best place to get a rebuild/seal kit for them? Mazda? Repco? Supercheap? About how much are they?

Mazda want $136 for just the seal kit for one caliper. :shock:

Nobody else seems to have them locally.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 1:06 pm

MX5parts have shipped stuff to my door within 2 days.
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/306

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 2:49 pm

Check if James at MX5 Centre has any seal kits left. When I bought mine it was about $20

tbro · Postby **tbro** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:05 pm

Little hint,

Check the hand brake cable, make sure its not kinked, bound up or over tight. Check that its NOT SEIZED!!!!!!

Another hint, regardless of the vehicle, brake should be adjusted "if adjustable" with the hand brake cable backed off!!!

Look for the simple things first, its cheaper.

Terry

doogle · Postby **doogle** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 11:40 am

Gday Andrew, did you figure out the problem in the end?
I have the same problem now..

cojack · Postby **cojack** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 12:48 pm

I am in the process of rebuilding my rear caliper. I bought the last set from mx5 centre. but i am sure you can get it from repco for similar price.
You will need patience and a modified pair of circlip pliers.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 3:18 pm

doogle wrote:Gday Andrew, did you figure out the problem in the end?
I have the same problem now...

If it's not the handbrake cable or the adjuster then it could be corrosion inside the caliper:
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=42278&p=543963

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 9:52 pm

doogle wrote:Gday Andrew, did you figure out the problem in the end?
I have the same problem now..

Yes, It was a lack of lubrication on the push rod where it goes into the hand brake cam lever on the caliper. To access it you will need a set of thin long nose circlip pliers to remove circlip for the adjuster once you take the piston out. Lube it well and also replace the seal on the cam leaver. Should be good for years then. Hope this helps.

Andrew