Ok, I ordered the rear caliper rebuild kit from Mazdatrix and it should be here Monday.
I went ahead and took apart my calipers today and found that the bearings for the parking brake were destroyed. The little needles were just a jumbled mess in there when I took it apart.

From the picture of the kit on mazdatrix, it looks like it doesn't include new bearings. I also don't see where you can buy just the bearings on that page.

So am I screwed here and just need to buy a complete rebuilt caliper or what?
Can I live without the bearings in there?

The bearings are shown as item 19 in the FSM picture.

This is for an 87 4lug.

 

Well, got the Mazdatrix kit and it doesn't come with the bearings, but I went ahead and installed it anyway.

Bled the brakes and they feel a lot better, but my starter went out so I couldn't drive it around.

Will post back once I get a chance to actually drive it.

 

Just to update. The brakes work great, but if I engage the parking brake and then drop the lever, it will stay engaged.
I have to just drive it with rear brakes dragging for a mile or so and it will release.
I just don't use the parking brake and will suck it up until I do my 5-lug conversion.

 

you can get rebuilt oem calipers from napa, they look as good as a new one, for just $30 after your core.

 

Followup question...

Does anyone have pics. or a drawing or description of how the parking brake mechanism inside the caliper works? Preferably info on how it goes together and pics. of it apart.

Just some info for when I tackle mine. If they're really bad I'll replace but don't wanna break them if they're ok. I searched for a thread and googled, but didn't come across a how-to.

Thanks all.

 

I attached pics of the diagram from the FSM in the OP. it just rotates back and forth.

 

Why do rear calipers leak from the e-brake mechanism? Is there a seal that goes bad?
I just discovered a leak on my rear right caliper.

 

Thanks jakkyl...guzman..
.yes the ebrake lever rod goes past an o-ring on its way to the piston and just pushes it (basically)

 

my parking brake level (17 in picture) drops around 15mm which is causing the parking brake to be less affective, looking at the diagram this can be pulled out and the bearing replaced, has anyone done this? or know where i can get a replacement bearing (guessing that has failed)
thanks
Mark

 

Honestly, when brake calipers start giving odd problems like this I just recommend getting a reman caliper. Not worth rebuilding or trying to fix (IMHO, from experience). I don't try anything more than freeing up caliper pistons, sliders and moving parts. Anymore than that, and the time worth fixing is better spent somewhere else.

Check out rockauto.com. I have a rear sticking caliper that I'm gonna tackle before taking the car out of storage (I'll be going over both sides, cleaning, applying anti-seize, lubing sliders, etc.), and have been checking prices there if it turns out to be more work than I expect.

edit: yeah, hard to tell on the picture, but if that's the lever going in and out, the bearing inside may have broken down.

 

the callipers have been rebuilt and powder coated so i would rather repair than replace if possible, plus they have been modified to fit my gen 1, granted only a couple of brackets, does the handbrake level (17) just pull out then? remember it feeling like it was fixed in somehow but if i know they can be pulled out without damaging anything i will get the puller on them

 

The lever does pull out, but you'll have to replace an o-ring on it (seals the piston area from outside). Make sure to take the piston out first and the washers/spacers/snap rings inside. Then you can tackle the lever. Can't find a better pic than above. I'd love to find a how-to on this.

Bolt/nut on the lever likes to break (maybe I'm confusing it with a Nissan caliper I did).

 

I've pulled them apart before to rebuild so that is fine should have the small washer as i had a complete kit from rock auto i think, i think thats when the bearing broke as i had to remove the bottom nut to take the gen 1 set up
thanks

 

I rebuilt both rear calipers yesterday.
The most difficult task was getting the snap ring out of the bore. My snap ring pliers were not well suited for that task.

In order to remove the e-brake lever you have to remove the piston , (6)snap ring, (8)stopper, (10)adjusting spindle and (11)connecting link from inside the bore, as stated above.

 

great thanks, does it just slide out fairly easy then?

Mark

 

Just remove the return spring and pull it out.
After you remove all the above mentioned parts it will only be held in place by the (18)dust boot.

 

thanks, anyone ordered a bearing replacement before? part 19 on the diagram

 

I would have, but couldn't find one. I ended up buying a reman'd caliper.

 

i just need some markings or part no if anyone has a old calliper they can split?
mine are on the car so i don't really want to pull them off without the parts

 

Currently rebuilding my rear caliper...

There is no "19" bearing on mine. Never had one. There is no room for a bearing between the shaft and cylinder on the parking brake mechanism lever on mine. I believe my caliper is original, but I could be wrong...my car is a 1986 model.

So maybe there was a design change. Will post pictures when everything's clean and going together.

Kind of similar to this one:

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2770104

 

^ Nevermind. After cleaning properly, yes there is a bearing there. The gunk pressed smoothly all around was hiding it.