Rear Brake Caliper GSL-SE
03-30-06, 08:50 PM
#1
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Rear Brake Caliper GSL-SE
Hi, I have been searching through the past posts and noticed that their has been quite a few brake related discussions. I have a question that has probably been asked a few hundered times, but I could not find many good answers that I could apply to my problem. I would be grateful for any help.
I am swapping in as SE suspension into my GS. One of the rear calipers has a torn e-brake boot, so I ordered the new boots from Victoria British. It all seamed simple and the e-brake stuff came apart well. I replaced the boot and went to reassmeble the e-brake section. The black threaded looking rod that pushes the piston when the e-brake is engaged seams too high to slip the e-brake rod back into position. Does this just need to be compressed in a certian way, or am I doing this all wrong?
Thanks
Buffumguy
I am swapping in as SE suspension into my GS. One of the rear calipers has a torn e-brake boot, so I ordered the new boots from Victoria British. It all seamed simple and the e-brake stuff came apart well. I replaced the boot and went to reassmeble the e-brake section. The black threaded looking rod that pushes the piston when the e-brake is engaged seams too high to slip the e-brake rod back into position. Does this just need to be compressed in a certian way, or am I doing this all wrong?
Thanks
Buffumguy
03-31-06, 12:36 AM
#3
I'm not following this too well. Are you refering to the caliper internally or externally? If you are having trouble hooking the brake cable back up to the caliper, the handbrake needs to be adjusted to a looser position. Then the bracket that bolts to the caliper, that holds the brake cable can be loosened or removed, the cable end hooked over the caliper lever arm and the bracket bolt/tightened back up. The handbrake should then be adjusted so the brakes engage with 4-5 clicks of the handle.
If the SE brakes/calipers are different than the GSL, then I have no idea what I am talking about, as I have never worked on the SE rear brakes. I do know there is a difference in the the handbrake cables, iirc the passenger side one is different.
If the SE brakes/calipers are different than the GSL, then I have no idea what I am talking about, as I have never worked on the SE rear brakes. I do know there is a difference in the the handbrake cables, iirc the passenger side one is different.
03-31-06, 08:42 AM
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Ya I guess I was not very clear. I have swapped the ends to the e-brake cable so that should not be a problem. I was working on the caliper itself. Was having problems sliding the e-brake rod back over the little black rod with the spring washers and small key like peice of metal inside the rubber boot. This would be the section that the e-brake cable pulls on to actuall force the brake piston against the rotor when the brake is set.
03-31-06, 05:39 PM
#5
Originally Posted by trochoid
I'm not following this too well. Are you refering to the caliper internally or externally? If you are having trouble hooking the brake cable back up to the caliper, the handbrake needs to be adjusted to a looser position. Then the bracket that bolts to the caliper, that holds the brake cable can be loosened or removed, the cable end hooked over the caliper lever arm and the bracket bolt/tightened back up. The handbrake should then be adjusted so the brakes engage with 4-5 clicks of the handle.
If the SE brakes/calipers are different than the GSL, then I have no idea what I am talking about, as I have never worked on the SE rear brakes. I do know there is a difference in the the handbrake cables, iirc the passenger side one is different.
If the SE brakes/calipers are different than the GSL, then I have no idea what I am talking about, as I have never worked on the SE rear brakes. I do know there is a difference in the the handbrake cables, iirc the passenger side one is different.
03-31-06, 10:22 PM
#7
Resident Weasel
when I purchased my 7, the owner mentioned that doing the rear calipers required a special mazda tool to dis/re-connect the e-brake to the caliper....have no idea the validity of this..as i've only done my front brakes so far..haven't had to do the rears 
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04-01-06, 09:17 AM
#8
The 'special tool' I use is between my ears.
The bracket that bolts to the caliper, that holds the e-brake cables is an 'L' shaped piece with a notch on one leg and a hole for the bolt on the other one. If you sent your calipers in, or exchanged them for rebuilt ones, and did not remove these brackets, you're SOL. The new ones usually don't come with the bracket. Please don't ask me how I know this, but I had to streal the brackets off another car when I put my new calipers on.
The bracket that bolts to the caliper, that holds the e-brake cables is an 'L' shaped piece with a notch on one leg and a hole for the bolt on the other one. If you sent your calipers in, or exchanged them for rebuilt ones, and did not remove these brackets, you're SOL. The new ones usually don't come with the bracket. Please don't ask me how I know this, but I had to streal the brackets off another car when I put my new calipers on.
04-01-06, 10:12 AM
#9
Resident Weasel
Originally Posted by trochoid
The 'special tool' I use is between my ears.
The bracket that bolts to the caliper, that holds the e-brake cables is an 'L' shaped piece with a notch on one leg and a hole for the bolt on the other one. If you sent your calipers in, or exchanged them for rebuilt ones, and did not remove these brackets, you're SOL. The new ones usually don't come with the bracket. Please don't ask me how I know this, but I had to streal the brackets off another car when I put my new calipers on.
The bracket that bolts to the caliper, that holds the e-brake cables is an 'L' shaped piece with a notch on one leg and a hole for the bolt on the other one. If you sent your calipers in, or exchanged them for rebuilt ones, and did not remove these brackets, you're SOL. The new ones usually don't come with the bracket. Please don't ask me how I know this, but I had to streal the brackets off another car when I put my new calipers on.
04-01-06, 12:45 PM
#14
Originally Posted by Rotary Weasel
you make it sound like a bad thing...just add the 'special' part
see 'special tool' better eh?
see 'special tool' better eh?
I appreciate the compliment about posting to use my 'special tool' more than you know.
I have been called a genuis, legend, and a bloody **** on the forum, all of which I have on plaques on the bulletin board over my desk. Now I can add a new one that says 'Special Tool'. The list keeps growing. LOL.
04-01-06, 05:09 PM
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It's funny how a thread can take on a life of its own. I had originally posted about the internial section of the e-brake on the caliper. I was having trouble putting the assembly back together. I was having trouble depressing the e-brake rod and sliding the e-brake actuator rod back into the housing and keeping the key in place. I was able to pull it off this afternoon. Here are some pics to help clarify. The C-clamp with the screw in it is my "special tool" used for pressing the e-brake rod (like the e-brake was engaged) and still allowing enough room to manuver the actuator rod into position.
Buffumguy
Buffumguy
04-01-06, 11:25 PM
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Buffumguy1:
Thanks for those pics. I'm about to look at the right rear caliper on my -se. The parking break won't fully come off and I've isolated the problem to the caliper. Now that I see what is like in there, I'm betting that big pin has some corrosion around it, or that spring is broken. Now I know what I'm dealing with - THANKS!
Also, I really hope you're going to replace that flexible brake hose. It frayed way past being safe.
Thanks for those pics. I'm about to look at the right rear caliper on my -se. The parking break won't fully come off and I've isolated the problem to the caliper. Now that I see what is like in there, I'm betting that big pin has some corrosion around it, or that spring is broken. Now I know what I'm dealing with - THANKS!
Also, I really hope you're going to replace that flexible brake hose. It frayed way past being safe.
04-02-06, 08:04 AM
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Oops posted before I thought.
That large pin on mine had a bit of corrosion around it as well. It still moved though. I just buffed it some with some steel wool and lubed it up good. I'm betting that spring thing does not have much to do with it being stuck. If you are going to do this get that kit from Victoria British (the kit for the e-brake boot)it has all the right kinds of grease and the little o ring that installs on the inside of the e-brake plunger.(the thing that the large rod compresses that presses the piston into position.)
good luck
Buffumguy
That large pin on mine had a bit of corrosion around it as well. It still moved though. I just buffed it some with some steel wool and lubed it up good. I'm betting that spring thing does not have much to do with it being stuck. If you are going to do this get that kit from Victoria British (the kit for the e-brake boot)it has all the right kinds of grease and the little o ring that installs on the inside of the e-brake plunger.(the thing that the large rod compresses that presses the piston into position.)
good luck
Buffumguy
04-02-06, 08:24 AM
#23
So that's the L-shaped bracket. Thanks for the pics! Nope, I don't have those. It appears that the GSL's emergency brake cables require the same brackets. I think I can fab a copy of them from your photo, but now I am wondering how those little brackets mount on the vehicle. Will you be taking another photo with the cables mounted? Thanks!
04-02-06, 12:14 PM
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It will be a while before I get this back on the car. I am dong this as part of a complete SE swap. If you look back to the pics of the calipers on this same thread. In the first pic in line there is a bolt directly opposite of the brake line inlet. The "L" bracket mounts to that bolt with the "T" shapped thing on the brake cable attaching to the corrasponding notch in the capliers e-brake rod.
Buffumguy
Buffumguy