so i got a powder coated and im tryign to spruce up my engine bay for dealios... any write ups on how to take apart the brake calipers and the alternator? is it difficult? do i really need to replace all the stuff in the caliper? any specialty tools i might need? pics or how to wrrite ups would be awesomeee

 

help? is it as easy as unbolting everything and putting it back together?

 

Don't know about the calipers but the alternator is pretty simple. I took mine apart with no problems or special tools. Sorry but no diagrams or write-ups.

 

Alternator is actually pretty cool. Look at my "prepping my car for my gt35r" thread in single turbo. Pg 3 has a link to a thread about alternator rebuild type stuff from Damian. Getting it back together is initially trickier than disassembly.

I could make a quick vid if u want. My alternator is completely apart now. :-)

 

do it - I want to get mine coated and I am feeling to lazy to learn on my own.

on the topic of brake calipers - I don't think its a good idea to totally take apart the brakes-i.e split them in two.

 

Cool. will do. ill run out to the garage right now.

 

okay, that is off the cuff. i think i made an alternator as entertaining as it will ever be. :-D

That was one take. I hope it really helps. I know it has some knowledge i needed to know. I talk about:
- disassembly
- bearings
- reassembly
- taking it apart to polish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cCWS08QxeI

As every youtube ***** says, please subscribe if u like my videos. :-)

 

thanks,

 

*Use an air impact to get the pulley off if you can. Easiest.
*Be really careful flexing the copper winding to access that hidden screw, they're soft up to a pont...but will break.
*A medium to large sewing needle works great at retaining the brushs for re-assembly.
*The two halves of the aluminum housing/casing is press-fit over a lip on the stator. It can be stuck on pretty tight. A plasitc dead-blow hammer is handy for getting it loose, better IMO than prying.

 

I've completely taken apart my RZ calipers.

Its hard to explain but its not too difficult. I would however buy a new rebuilt kit (from Malloy). All it is is rubber dust shields, o-rings, and spring clamps. Because I was building RZ calipers, I had to buy a kit from Japan. Piston sizes are different from US calipers.

i took them out, cleaned the piston, inspected the piston, and installed it in reverse with new parts. Just make sure if you are powder coating, get it done by someone who knows how, ie not get powder coating inside the piston area and holes where brake lines and nipples are. I recommend Kevin Landers @ Rotary Resurrections. He did some powder coating work for me and did a fantastic job at VERY reasonable cost.

 

Good video! Thanks!

 

I would be VERY hesitant to split the calipers. If they don't seal right, you can have CATASTROPHIC brake failure.

You can change the caliper seals and whatnot without splitting the calipers. If you want to have them powdercoated, that's no big deal - the brakes are designed to take temps way over what a powerdercoating oven will apply.

You can also use my trick to paint calipers - Testors model paint. Just get a few bottles from a hobby shop and a brush, clean the calipers really well, and apply it nice and thick. It's enamel so it bakes on really hard, looks great, tons of colors, and if you need to touch it up down the road get another $1 bottle and go for it. I've done this trick for years, really works well. You can also run sandpaper over the raised "Mazda" logo to make it shiny, looks really nice against painted calipers.

Dale

 

lol the model airplane testors? that brings back memories. I spray painted mine with 650deg paint. :-) i took the caliper off and the damn brake line emptied the entire master cylinder reservoir on to my floor

 

I also agree with Dale.. I would not split the caliper. But taking piston out and such to power coat should be ok.. But I didn't powder coat my calipers.. Just painted with high temp ceramic paint (brush on version).

 

I second the alt being really simple. I did have a time getting it back together but I think if I had to do it again it would be a snap.

Dale, I am now glad to know I am not the only one to have used testors model paint to paint calipers!!! And yes, the testors model paint does work great and it is really cheap.

 

I just got my front calipers powdercoated recently.
(+1 dont separate the caliper halves)

I was gonna paint mine at first but it was a PIA getting the pistons out w/o compressed air so for 100 bucks the shop took the pistons out then powdercoated them.
Then i polished the mazda logo w/a small wire wheel on a drill.

I bought the rebuild kit (more acurately "re-seal" kit) from Malloy Mazda.
I bought a set of front pads too that came with all the shims and retainer springs you'll need.

Really easy and satisfying job.

 

do you know how much the rebuild kit cost? im trying to powder coat them.... myself// =/ eeks!

awesome video, helped alot... question tho.. the thingy you had to stick the paper clip in.. do u have to do that aswell to take the middle portion out? or only on reassemble?

i dont plan on splitting the calipers... they are able to withstand heat of powdercoating? are you talking about the internal rubbers and bushing thingys? so i wont have to disassemble them? temps are only gonna be at 450 MAX...


thanks for all the help guys!
-benny

 

Just take a look around:

http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.as...m=49-2400-FB05

 

Only on reassemble. it does not hinder you from disassembly. originally i didnt know that the whole front cover could pop off when the 4 bolts are undone. So i sat and tried other things. its a stubborn SOB when it hasnt been disassembled in forever.

I disassembled the newer one that was polished. piece of cake. my trashed one had more miles and it was subsequently harder to take apart.

Rob

 

hey can i powder coat the middle band that people usually paint a different color?i think its the copper coil?

 

bump for being able to powder coat the middle of that alt? also can i bake the calipers with the internals in em? will they be able to withstand 400 degreees?

 

i wouldnt do anything to the exposed copper wires. It might affect the efficiency of the power generation. i would paint the outside band and resist the temptation to do it all. I definitely wouldnt do anything on the inside of the wires.

 

This will help you out
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hlight=caliper


I rebuilt my calipers about 2 months ago. Put a 1/2in block of wood between the calipers and use an air compressor and blow out the pistons. Took me about 25-30minutes to get them all out.

 

No.
But the exposed part of the stator is easy to clean and a light scuff with a sanding pad. After masking off the lip where the aluminum halves press-fit and I just used a little left over caliper paint I had in a rattle can.
Old picture, but you can kind of see it...

 

Question: if you are going to paint the housing, are there certain contact points where it NEEDS to be bare metal?