Sammy Epperly

Just bought a 86 rx7 (something I've always wanted). But I went to get the car and it won't roll at all, haven't messed with anything yet. But the guy I'm buying it from said that if you hit the brakes on the car when it isn't running it will lock the brakes up. And since it doesn't run you have to go to each wheel and push the piston back it. Is there any truth to this? I've never heard of anything like this but I'm very new to rx7s. If this isnt true would keep be a problem? Thanks for the help!

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

and that is why he is selling it,most likely.
the brakes are shot.

Sammy Epperly

So is this true? I traded a washer and dryer for it so I don't care to put money in it. Just wondering if that's how the brakes work. Don't really care why he sold it.

archaphil

iTrader: (1)

get the car in the air, inspect the brake system. Brakes are brakes. No, rx7's do not have some mythical brake system in them..... SMH

Bleed them, look at the slides and re-lube them. Get it running, and enjoy it.

also welcome to the board, all the information you need is hidden in here

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

welcome to the board.

it's not an Rx-7 problem, it's a car problem. it happens a lot with cars that sit outside for long periods (although that's not the only time it can happen). you can pull the calipers apart and rebuild them or you can simply replace them. it's your choice. by virtue of the fact that you can relieve the issue by "pushing them back in", it's the choice you have to make with THIS car now. if you don't care to put money into it, then get your washer and dryer back and never get a car ... ANY car ... because a big brake job is something you will have to deal with sooner or later as long as you get a car with brakes.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

NO it is not true..
If the rear brakes on the FC stick,then it is a piston in the caliper,and the only way to get that piston back is to "screw it back in".The Rear brakes only have ONE slider really and that is on the bracket.The caliper slides on that.
You can't squeeze it back into the caliper as it is NOT designed that way.You need a brake caliper "block"..(see JEGS.com).
The fronts have 2 pistons/each side,but the pads run on pins,so if the pads are sticking then the pins maybe corroded.If the Pistons are sticking then that would have to be addressed.
You need to Inspect the brakes,and find out exactly what is sticking.
Brakes can be applied(foot pressed on pedal) and released if the car is ON or OFF.They are just harder to apply.
They just do not have the "power Feature" when the car is OFF due to no Vacuum being supplied by a NON Running engine.

Sammy Epperly

Ok I didn't think what he was telling me made since but he was very convincing haha. He said that the guy he bought it from redid the brakes and he said that the way these cars were designed they all did that. Just wanted to make sure that I was right in thinking he was full of crap. I'll pull the wheels off and check it out and see what's going on. Was just trying to get a tow dolley and pull it home, but guess ill have to get a roll back to tow it.

lex rx7

any car will do this if it sits long enough take the calipers off and spay them with any lubricant then decompress them put them back on do yourself a favor change change the master cylinder and bleed the system

Sammy Epperly

Yea just wanted to make sure these cars didn't have some kind of weird brake system haha. Wonder if I could just open the bleeders and that would free it enough to dolley it home?

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

The only thing that separates this car from the others is the engine.The rest is pretty well standard automobile engineering.
You can try the bleeders,but honestly,it may not work.
One thing that would work is taking the caliper off the rotors and hanging them up,away from the rolling wheels.
The front has 2 14mm?..or 17mm bolts holding the caliper to the spindle assembly.Get those off and pop the caliper off the rotor, the front rolls.
The Back..ah Crud!..If you can take the 12mm bolt off(yes ONE),then it will allow you to slide the caliper UP off the rotor( that is if it is not stuck),and then it has to slide off the pin on the brake bracket..Push caliper towards the inside of the car.

S4 Vert

Does you FC have ABS (most likely no because it's an '86) brakes?

Like what other members have told you, it sounds like your rear brake pistons / calipers need a rebuild.

Also your brake booster and master cylinder may need a rebuild. Check your proportional valve for the front and rear, which gives residual brake pressure to pull your brake pads (caliper pistons) back and enough pressure to keep them at bay to the rotors.

Check the vacuum hose from your engine that runs along the fire wall to your brake booster. It could have a hole, or be torn no creating enough vacuum to operate the brake booster.

I could be forgetting a few more areas to check, but start with the above recommendations. If they do not pan out let us know, in the mean time I will research other areas that I may have missed / forgotten.

Sammy Epperly

Turns out like I thought and everyone me ruined that dudes full of crap. Went to get car and it took some muscle but got it to roll onto the dolly and once I pulled it for a while everything loosened up. Guess I'm going to pull everything apart and lube it real good and put it back together. But first I need to get her running again!!! Thanks for all the help

archaphil

iTrader: (1)

never hurts to bleed the the whole system while you are there with some fresh DOT3/4 fluid. if its been sitting that long I would suggest it.

Also, if you are just looking to drive it, hit up rockauto . com for new rotors and pads, did all 4 corners on my fc for cheap with upgraded pads.

Sammy Epperly

Oh ok thanks. I work at napa and we can't even get calipers for it haha.

marclong

iTrader: (1)

O'Reillys can get them for you. Rebuild kits cheap though.

archaphil

iTrader: (1)

brand new calipers on rock are cheap as well. Im buying new turbo2 stuff for my 5 lug swap from them, wish someone still made the hub assembly though