Time for a brake pad change on my 88 vert, but this is first go-around with 4pot calipers... i've always just used a giant c-clamp to push the piston back in so new pad fits. what do you suggest for these? there are four bolts that hold the caliper together but i figured those stay together b/c of the outer two pistons, etc.

Need to get em pushed back in... suggestions?

tx fellas

 

Do this all the time. Lay the old brake pad across the two pistons, then put the c-clamp between the pad and caliper body and proceed as you always have.

Nooooooo problem.

 

I've always been able to get the rod of the clamp in line with the piston(s). Since there are two opposing sets of pistons, i'd have to pull the caliper apart, which I didn't imagine i'd have to do.

edit: are you suggesting just trying to push them back in with the clamp at an angle to the pistons?

 

I guess I'm a redneck... I just used a screwdriver to pry them back in... pushing on the old pad of course. Put something (like a thin sheet of aluminum, etc) between the rotor and the screwdriver to protect it (the rotor) from being gouged up, and pry the pad away from the rotor... Took me about a minute.

Brad

 

that's essentially what i did... just used a needle nose as an inclined plane or whatever... didnt' think they'd be that easy to push back in

 

I think I used an old pad and some vise grips to squeeze between it and the body of the caliper on each side.You don't want to split the caliper apart.If your not getting your rotors turned you won't even have to remove the calipers at all.There is two pins that slide out of the caliper that hold the pads in.After you slide them out you remove the V-springs and the pads slide right out.I would pick up a Haynes manual or even better would be a Mazda Factory Workshop Manual.It is exspensive but the wealth of information contianed inside is well worth it.

 

just better not use the c-clamp on the rears...couse of the e-brake,the rear pistons need to turn,when you push'em in...my friend had some special tool for it,hmm..just cant quite remeber what its special function was..heh.anyhow.good luck.
d

 

It's a little metal cube-shaped thingy with some protrusions on it- it fits on a rachet, right? It's to screw the rear pistons in. MUCH easier than using pliers, etc... well worth the $3 or so that mine cost me.

Brad

 

Ragtop is right about the cube "thingy". :-)

You can buy it at most any auto parts chain store for a couple buck, and well worth the expense. WAYYYY better than using needle nose plyers like I used to.

 

To get the front 4 piston calipers back into their bores:

First off, don't remove the caliper! The pads can be removed by taking out the pins that hold them in place. And to push the pistons back in to their bores, just pry on the old pads while they are still in the caliper. Or use some adjustable pliers and squeeze on them. Then you just slide the new pads in and replace the pin. Easy.

For the rears. The rear calipers must be removed like any typical brake job. The proper procedure for getting the piston back in is to use a pair of needlenose pliers to *turn* the piston clockwise until it goes far enough into the caliper.

Hope this helps.

 

Again, do yourself a favor and go buy a cube Thingy rather than try and use needle nose to twist in the piston. Its easy to slip and tear the rubber boot around the piston with the plyers.

Been there, done that.

 

In my opinion if you need to use a clamp or pry on things to get the pistons back into the 4 piston caliper, something is wrong.

When I changed my front brakes I retracted each piston individually by hand. I did have the caliper off for another reason which made this easier.

The rears always seem to be a pain to rotate back in.

 

Hozzman,
What is the cube thingy called for real? Who makes it or what auto parts store will be able to find the "cube thingy". Is it a standard brake tool or one made just for RX7's. At $3 or so, it is hard to believe it would be peculiar to our cars. Any tool for that little? Color me confused!
Ralf

 

I got my "cube thingy" at Auto Zone.The actual name on the package mine came in is Disc Brake Piston Tool.Hpoe this helps.By the way it is easier than using needle nose on the rears.

 

That's the information I needed, thanks!