Rear Brakes

'92 White A/LS rear
Driver rear caliper problem.
The emergency wasn't holding on hills after a rotor and pad change (ceramics
and slots). Tried to adjust the emergency to get the engagement a little
earlier and a pin came out on the end of the allen wrench.
I think I'm in trouble here, the L rear emergency doesn't work at all (or
very little).
What's broken? Can I get parts from the dealer or do I need to replace the
entire caliper?
Thoughts appreciated.
Thanx
Scott
Puget Sound

Scotts

at ISP whidbey.net

Scott,
Give me a call. (206) 242-1446 in Seattle. I think I can help you.

Bruce Haskin

Bruce RED '91

In article >,
"Scott and Carol Smith" > wrote:

> The emergency wasn't holding on hills after a rotor and pad change (ceramics
> and slots). Tried to adjust the emergency to get the engagement a little
> earlier and a pin came out on the end of the allen wrench.

Were you adjusting the rear brakes at the caliper, per the instructions
at miata.net's Garage? If the brakes are adjusted properly, the
handbrake may never need attention.

--
Lanny Chambers
'94C, St. Louis
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

Scott and Carol Smith wrote:
> '92 White A/LS rear
> Driver rear caliper problem.
> The emergency wasn't holding on hills after a rotor and pad change (ceramics
> and slots). Tried to adjust the emergency to get the engagement a little
> earlier and a pin came out on the end of the allen wrench.
> I think I'm in trouble here, the L rear emergency doesn't work at all (or
> very little).
> What's broken? Can I get parts from the dealer or do I need to replace the
> entire caliper?
> Thoughts appreciated.
> Thanx
> Scott
> Puget Sound

The pin will screw right back in.

What you need to do is tighten those adjusters until they stop, then
back off about 1/3 turn. It helps to clamp the rotor with a couple of
lug nuts while doing this.

The rear calipers are notorious for seizing, so check the slider pins
are clean and greased (high temperature lithium grease is a better
lubricant than copper grease for this duty). if the piston is seized
this should have been apparent from an inability to back the piston off
to replace the pads.