Rotofire

To start off i don't know how to insert pics so i will try and explain it the best i can. anywho, i was doing a brake change and i have a haynes manual that dosen't tell me jack so i searched the forums, i got a pretty good idea of what was going on and went back out to the garage (battle axe in hand) when i had the calipers off and pads changed out, i found a spring looking thing laying on the ground (like an "s" shape) one was on each side and i don't remember how they went in! Help i'm inmobile! so if anyone can give me a run-down on the calipers please help me asap. thanks

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

it is a clip that holds the brake pads in place. thats what it sounds like to me. i think there are 4 per side.

Rotofire

no, it's like a bent up coathanger.......a small bent up coat hanger it's uh.....yea a coathanger but thanks for the quick reply

Dom

I see it on the Victoria British catalogue and on the factory service manual, but all I can make out is that it sits on the bottom of the calliper between the two pads.

Well, I just went outside and my car doesn't have it on either side.

wwilliam54

anti rattle spring

Rotofire

alright, i got it, thanks for the help guys.

Rotofire

well i thought i had it, i found out what it is, now how does it go back on?

specRX7_22

I've never even heard of that, and I've changed pads and rotors on multiple cars. You probably don't even need it.

Rotofire

cool, thanks i'll leave it off. But, if i hear a pop, snap, kaboom noise.....i'm after you, j\k man, appreciate the help.

KehoeAutomotive

Don't leave it off! It's an antirattle clip. There is a tiny hole in the brake pad itself. It goes into those holes and holds the brake pads apart. They do work well and can stop clunking noises when you hit bumps.

My car did not have any. Interesting. I'll have to put some back into my car the next time I do brakes on it.

KehoeAutomotive

Oh yeah Rotofire.


Sorry to hear that the Colts lost.

Rotofire

kk. that was close, i almost left them off instead of actually working, i just get bored and watch tv lol, i've been doing brakes since like 1:00 (my time) i think i should go finish them, my mom is starting to worry, :p

Rotofire

well i went back out to finish, but there is only one whole on one pad and the other dosen't have one, and when i try and put it back on it just falls right out


yea i know......dang

85rotarypower

The spring only clips to one pad. Can't remember if its the inner or outer pad. You just slip the pin on the spring into the hole and put the pad in. I have to check it out. I currently have the pads off of my car.

85rotarypower

Ok just checked it out. The spring goes on the outside pad. It should go across the top of the caliper to the other side. It hold the outer pad out against its perch.

Steve Shulz

Only had one so I left it off, evertime I hit a bump I get a clunking noise. Also when I let off the brakes from a hard stop, they clunk. Wish I still had em, one day they (2 new ones) will go on. So keep em if you got em! I noticed my -SE doesnt have them though, maybe theyre gone to?

RotaryMotorDisorter

I had the same thing happen. That wire came out and im like huh? Saw in the book its a anti rattle spring but couldnt figure out how to put it back on so i left it off. Everything seems to be fine so far though.

Rotofire

well i couldn't get them to stay on and i have to leave so i just lef them off, it won't hurt anything, i'll just have to put them back on tomorrow.

specRX7_22

well... i said i've never heard of them, but thats cuz all i work on are FB RACE CARS. So it doesnt matter that they rattle. For a street car, attempt to put them on i guess... but it wont be unsafe without them.

Shyshorty15

My 85 GLS dosent have a spring like that, but it has two small clips or springs on either end of the pad.

LongDuck

The two metal 'clips' on each end of each pad are there to provide some centering of the pad when it's in a non-loaded condition, i.e. when you're just cruising along without applying the brakes.

As soon as you apply brake pedal pressure, the caliper closes around the pads and they are squeezed inward, causing them to ride along the top edge of the brake caliper mount and pad mounting plate. The small spring steel protrusions help to keep the pad aligned and 'floating' when they're not being used, but quickly compress out of the way when you step on the brakes.

As to the function of the 'Z' springs - these help to keep the outboard pad from riding the rotor when you're cruising along. The hole in the pad allows the pin on the 'Z' spring to be inserted, and then the other end of the 'Z' spring is simply pushing against the inside of the caliper just above the piston and seal.

I don't have my 'Z' springs installed, but instead use the Loc-Tite formula for disk brake pad quiet. This is a polymer glue that you apply to the backsides of each brake pad, and it is heat activated to temporarily stick the pad to either the caliper fingers or the caliper piston. That way, when you release the brakes, the pads don't rub against the rotor which can lead to uneven pad wear and worn rotors.

The Disk Brake Quiet glue is sold in blue and white packs like you'd get ketchup at McD's, and a little goes a long way - once you heat it up, the glue turns black, so don't worry about getting it all over the pad.

I don't have a problem with brake clunking at all, so I would recommend a tube of LocTite Disk Brake Quiet if you're going to be doing brakes anytime soon. I do have a problem with squeal, however, which I know is caused by Hawk HP+ pads...

Shyshorty15

How hard is it to come across the z spring is it something i can order?

NasaPro7

Mazdatrix sells the brake hardware kit

part num 49-290A-8341 fits all 80-85 ex the -se.

Its $37 from them.

I think I have a kit in the garage somewhere. Like Chris, my race car doesn't use these parts, they just make pad changes more difficult... I don't care if they rattle around in the paddock...

Marcus