I don't see a thread on this particular subject so I will ask; anyone have a write up they want to share on replacing the brake pads, front and rear?

I will be replacing both in a week or two and I have looked through the shop manual for a vague idea on what needs to be done. BTW, what's a SST?

Thanks in advance!

 

SST is what mazda calls a "special tool". you don't need anything special outside of normal tools for a brake job. the major sites (rob robinettes and lightning in a world of thunder) cover brake very well.

 

brake replacements

don't worry man....it's easy

the special tool is only $5-6 from the local auto store. It's a little adapter tool for your ratchet to 'screw' the pistons back into the caliper.

 

thank link's just a write up. i'm more of a visuak/picture person but thanks a lot it'll be helpful

 

I did my fronts last month using those directions. Here is what I'd like to add:

- the SSD might be a good idea, but whatever tool you use keep in mind it's a double piston. I did it with only a large C-clamp. The pistons can be really temperamental, so I just opened the bleeder screw and caught the fluid in a pan as I pressed the pistons one-at-a-time using my clamp, no fuss. The pistons will then steadily press in. Then I topped off the fluid when I was done.

- Just remove the top caliper holding bolt and loosen the bottom. These are accessed sort of from the inside of the wheel. The caliper assy will rotate down nicely. Do NOT open the main bolts staring at you on the outside of the caliper. Leave them alone.

- Get the brake hardware kits. It's not necessary, but worthwhile considering the cost of the pads.

Dave

 

I need new brakes, front more than back, but hell I might as well do both. I want to go to Hawk pads but told I needed the hardware kit. Does the OEM Mazda hardware kit, if bought, work with Hawk pads? I imagine so.

Also, the hardware kit for the rear comes with the pads, how do I get that separate if I go with Hawk's?

Thanks.

AMRAAM4
94 MB w/ 63,266miles

 

what's in the hardware kit?

i bought and installed Hawk HP+ pads with regular tools and using that piston screw in adapter i mentioned earlier.

The pads I just bought from the Rx-7 store.

 

The hardware kit contains clips and shims. You can certainly reuse the old ones unless they are rusted badly -- unlikely.

There was a site with pix but it's no longer up there anymore. Ppl sell their FD and the site is changed or gone...

 

hey guys...quick question... I'm replacing my pads with a set from hawk, and when I took my stock fronts off I noticed they have two shims to each pad. Now, the hawk pads didn't come with shims, should I put those stock ones back on? the manual says that you should, what did you guys do?

 

You can put one shim in but not both as 2 won't fit. Hawk already has the shim built in so it's okay to leave both out.