4 wheel disk brakes on my 84 GSL, I understand there's a 'special tool' you gotta have? This is my first attempt at doing a brake job myself, I'd appreciate any tips. Thanks!!

 

I would assume your talking about the tool to turn in the pistons on the rear calipers, similar to newer 7's. I have the whole set, but you can us needle nose pliers to turn in the rear pistons, as long as they are not frozen. Fronts no special tools needed.

 

Hey, we went to the auto parts store and bought that "special tool" to turn in the rear pistons on the rear calipers, and it was a waste of money. We ended up using a small pair of channel locks (those adjustable pliers). They worked much better . Anyway, as far as the rear goes, the hardest part will be getting the piston back in. Follow your manual, they tell you how. As for the fronts, I dont know, I have yet to replace them .

~T.J.

 

On the fronts the most difficult, and a wee bit worrisome, is the bottom bolt of the two that hold the caliper on. The bottom bolt is located inside a "dished" section of the backing plate. Yuh gotta use an offset 17 mm to get to it, and even then yuh won't get much grip. Once you get the bolt to begin coming out yuh gotta switch over to an open-end...Now here's the troublesome area. The bolt cannot be removed completely unless you pry away the steering knuckle that blocks it in! The scare is reaching in to remove the bolt while you're prying back the knucke...You don't wanna lose your purchase on that knuckle or you can hurt your fingers!

I purchased a cheap Wally Mart 17 mm offset, then with a grinding wheel took off some of metal until the tool fit into the dish without a hassle and gave me a better turn radius....Then once the bolt was out, I ground it down until I could just barely fit it into the dish without having to use the risky prybar method. Everything is much easier after that.

Regarding rear, Sears hardware sells a piston screw tool that looks like a small box. It has various posts that fit a mulitude of cars. One side fits out Mazdas perfectly. Get one.....If you have trouble finding it, PM me and I'll help you to obtain one....

Happy Trails,
That Retro-Cowboy,
Denny

 

i just used a large pair of channel locks and a small piece of lumber to push mine back in. No scratches or anything.