Seized rear caliper

[zac510]

Got problems with my rear drivers side calipers, hand brake mechanism won't work. Tried fresh pads, adjusting the allen bolt adjuster but no improvement. It's not jammed on and I think it's working hydraulically, just not biting well enough with the handbrake to pass MOT.

From a quick poke around the 'net it seems like this is a common problem. What do people do, buy replacemnt caliper or get the caliper rebuilt? I very rarely pay people to work on the car but I'm kind of running out of time at the moment, I might just drop it in on Monday

[Planet Claire]

I changed all my pads a couple of months ago and since then my handbrake won't work - even Mazda tightened it up for me as I hadn't got round to doing it again. It held for a bit but not now, thankfully I always leave the car in gear!

I posed the same question on the OC last week, here's the link so you can look at some of the replies - there was quite a technical one which I have to get round to doing. http://mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/1328.aspx

If you need to replace your caliper you can get reconditioned ones from MX5Parts, and you get money back if you retunr your old one.

[MonkeyBusiness]

Planet Claire said:

If you need to replace your caliper you can get reconditioned ones from MX5Parts, and you get money back if you retunr your old one.

Or http://www.boundville.co.uk/mx-5-mk1-16-191-c.asp

[zac510]

Thanks Claire, that's handy information. I haven't been keen to venture into the new OC forum yet!

One thing that worried me was that the adjuster on the questionable caliper was a bit rough in its thread, but it was still adjusting, but it made me concerned something else in there was in a bad state.

I think I'll have one more crack at adjusting it as per the instructions in that thread. Don't have time to order a replacement at the moment so if I fail I'll have to suck it and pay the blokes in the shop!

Edited by zac510 on Thursday 11th December 22:22