Hi, I have been searching through the past posts and noticed that their has been quite a few brake related discussions. I have a question that has probably been asked a few hundered times, but I could not find many good answers that I could apply to my problem. I would be grateful for any help.
I am swapping in as SE suspension into my GS. One of the rear calipers has a torn e-brake boot, so I ordered the new boots from Victoria British. It all seamed simple and the e-brake stuff came apart well. I replaced the boot and went to reassmeble the e-brake section. The black threaded looking rod that pushes the piston when the e-brake is engaged seams too high to slip the e-brake rod back into position. Does this just need to be compressed in a certian way, or am I doing this all wrong?
Thanks
Buffumguy

 

I believe that you need to replace the rear section of your E-brake cable when doing this swap...

 

I'm not following this too well. Are you refering to the caliper internally or externally? If you are having trouble hooking the brake cable back up to the caliper, the handbrake needs to be adjusted to a looser position. Then the bracket that bolts to the caliper, that holds the brake cable can be loosened or removed, the cable end hooked over the caliper lever arm and the bracket bolt/tightened back up. The handbrake should then be adjusted so the brakes engage with 4-5 clicks of the handle.

If the SE brakes/calipers are different than the GSL, then I have no idea what I am talking about, as I have never worked on the SE rear brakes. I do know there is a difference in the the handbrake cables, iirc the passenger side one is different.

 

Ya I guess I was not very clear. I have swapped the ends to the e-brake cable so that should not be a problem. I was working on the caliper itself. Was having problems sliding the e-brake rod back over the little black rod with the spring washers and small key like peice of metal inside the rubber boot. This would be the section that the e-brake cable pulls on to actuall force the brake piston against the rotor when the brake is set.

 

How about a photo of the bracket that "holds the brake cable" for us, please. I've got brand new E-brake cables from Victoria British, too, and will be installing to my GSL rear, tomorrow. Now, I am concerned if I have all the correct hardware, too.

 

I will post some pics tomorrow.
But again my issue is not with the e-brake cable, but the e-brake parts inside the caliper.

Buffumguy

 

when I purchased my 7, the owner mentioned that doing the rear calipers required a special mazda tool to dis/re-connect the e-brake to the caliper....have no idea the validity of this..as i've only done my front brakes so far..haven't had to do the rears

 

The 'special tool' I use is between my ears.

The bracket that bolts to the caliper, that holds the e-brake cables is an 'L' shaped piece with a notch on one leg and a hole for the bolt on the other one. If you sent your calipers in, or exchanged them for rebuilt ones, and did not remove these brackets, you're SOL. The new ones usually don't come with the bracket. Please don't ask me how I know this, but I had to streal the brackets off another car when I put my new calipers on.

 

yup..that's why we post on here..to use that 'special' tool of yours'

 

LOL, so now I'm a tool, eh?

 

you make it sound like a bad thing...just add the 'special' part
see 'special tool' better eh?

 

Will someone post a photo of the rear disc brake "L" shaped bracket that the emergency brake cable mounts to; at the caliper area?

 

I'm about to do a rear caliper rebuild so I'm watching this with a lot of curiosity

 

No offense taken, I was poking fun at myself. I can be 'special' or a 'tool', depending on what hour of the day of the week it is.

I appreciate the compliment about posting to use my 'special tool' more than you know.

I have been called a genuis, legend, and a bloody **** on the forum, all of which I have on plaques on the bulletin board over my desk. Now I can add a new one that says 'Special Tool'. The list keeps growing. LOL.

 

Trochoid is a 1st gen legend, only ever stumped him once, lol, guess what the question was, GSL-SE rear calipers......lol

 

Tattletale.

 

It's funny how a thread can take on a life of its own. I had originally posted about the internial section of the e-brake on the caliper. I was having trouble putting the assembly back together. I was having trouble depressing the e-brake rod and sliding the e-brake actuator rod back into the housing and keeping the key in place. I was able to pull it off this afternoon. Here are some pics to help clarify. The C-clamp with the screw in it is my "special tool" used for pressing the e-brake rod (like the e-brake was engaged) and still allowing enough room to manuver the actuator rod into position.
Buffumguy

 

Interesting, never have seen the insides of one of these. Post a close-up shot of the bracket for the brake cable. I'm curious if they are the same as the GSL's.

 

Here you go. And just for the fun of it here's my ride.

Buffumguy

 

Buffumguy1:

Thanks for those pics. I'm about to look at the right rear caliper on my -se. The parking break won't fully come off and I've isolated the problem to the caliper. Now that I see what is like in there, I'm betting that big pin has some corrosion around it, or that spring is broken. Now I know what I'm dealing with - THANKS!

Also, I really hope you're going to replace that flexible brake hose. It frayed way past being safe.

 

Thanks, Ya going with stainless all around.

Buffumguy

 

Oops posted before I thought.
That large pin on mine had a bit of corrosion around it as well. It still moved though. I just buffed it some with some steel wool and lubed it up good. I'm betting that spring thing does not have much to do with it being stuck. If you are going to do this get that kit from Victoria British (the kit for the e-brake boot)it has all the right kinds of grease and the little o ring that installs on the inside of the e-brake plunger.(the thing that the large rod compresses that presses the piston into position.)

good luck

Buffumguy

 

So that's the L-shaped bracket. Thanks for the pics! Nope, I don't have those. It appears that the GSL's emergency brake cables require the same brackets. I think I can fab a copy of them from your photo, but now I am wondering how those little brackets mount on the vehicle. Will you be taking another photo with the cables mounted? Thanks!

 

It will be a while before I get this back on the car. I am dong this as part of a complete SE swap. If you look back to the pics of the calipers on this same thread. In the first pic in line there is a bolt directly opposite of the brake line inlet. The "L" bracket mounts to that bolt with the "T" shapped thing on the brake cable attaching to the corrasponding notch in the capliers e-brake rod.

Buffumguy

 

Buffumguy1,
I am hoping you can give some dimensions on the "L" shaped bracket. Here's the two dims that I need to fab my own from blanks that I have: