Instructions on changing brake pads?

[Billy Blaze]

I have never changed brake pads in my life, anyone got some hints directions for the NB?
I saw a mechanic have to rebuild a caliper piston on one of my old firebirds that was rusted through, for whatever reason took him all day and that has since just made me take it to have it done by someone else.
I need to put some performance pads on the Frankenata.
Thanks

[Radio-Active]

Not a hard job.

Here's the linkie.

I'd go ahead and replace the brake fluid at the same tme if it has been a while, but that will take some help or a sppecial tool, such as a Mighty Vac brake bleeder.

You might call for a tech day and have someone help you.

[channelmaniac]

Not a hard job.

Here's the linkie.

I'd go ahead and replace the brake fluid at the same tme if it has been a while, but that will take some help or a sppecial tool, such as a Mighty Vac brake bleeder.

You might call for a tech day and have someone help you.

Or it will take a set of speed bleeders. They make for an easy 1 man brake job.

You can pick 'em up online or off of eBay.

RJ

[Billy Blaze]

cool, thanks for the links and suggestions.
I am going to use the Hawk HPS pads

[trickyrix]

cool, thanks for the links and suggestions.
I am going to use the Hawk HPS pads

I think you'll like the way they feel. Be sure you follow the break-in instructions on the box!

[CosmosMpower]

Fronts are an easy 10 min job, never done rears on this car. I'd go HPS, I have the HP+ and they are horrible for the street. Mucho dust and squeels loud all day. Thinking about going to the HPS.

[nealb]

having a mostly Spec for track use, I'm an expert at changing pads/rotors on NAs

do yourself a favor and if the clip hardware in front is original, replace it

NAPA sells everything you need for about $13 per side

and if you need rotors, less than $20 each at NAPA for made in USA stuff

and I use a small C-clamp to hold the pads against the rotors when installing the small springs that keep the pads off the rotors when you are off the brakes

[cam76034]

You doing all four? Are the rear brakes any more complicated than the fronts?

[POS Racing]

You doing all four? Are the rear brakes any more complicated than the fronts?

Ya have to back off the adjuster on the rears -> http://www.miata.net/garage/brakepad.html

Replacing the rear pads is equally as simple as the front pads. The main difference is in retracting the rear caliper pistons. Note: Improperly retracting the rear caliper pistons could result in caliper failure and costly repairs.

Another good write-up on the brakes -> http://www.sandiegomiataclub.org/sdm...rake_Pads.html

[Radio-Active]

Except for an adjuster that is hidden behind a 14mm bolt like cap, no.

On most of the other cars with disk brakes I have done, you have to twist and compress the puck on the calliper to get the calliper pucks receeded.

[sammm]

Ya have to back off the adjuster on the rears -> http://www.miata.net/garage/brakepad.html

Good.

twist and compress the puck on the calliper to get the calliper pucks receeded.

Bad.


Don't forget to lube the slider pins while you're there.

[Radio-Active]

Bad.


Don't forget to lube the slider pins while you're there.

Re-read. Most of the other cars(i.e. Fiat, Mitsubishi, Not Miata!!!).

[sammm]

Re-read. Most of the other cars(i.e. Fiat, Mitsubishi, Not Miata!!!).

I twisted the handle on a c-clamp first time I tried to change the rear pads and compress that piston.