FD oem brake rebuild question???
 

Has anyone rebuilt a Oem FD brakes before??? Been looking at BBK kit for the fd but, it seems that for the type of driving i do on the weekend any of the few kits available on the market is over kill.


If you've rebuilt your oem brakes please throw in your 2 cents my way.
how feesable was it???
needed any special tools???
How much was it for the re-build kit???
Good source on the rebuild kit???


Thanks

Michael-FDSeoul

I'm just finishing up the rebuild on fronts and rears. Fronts were a lot easier (for me). A few recommendations:
1. Use low pressure air and wood blocks to push out the front pistons.
2. Get the special tool for the rear pistons to rotate them back into the caliper. You can still use low pressure air to get them out, but you'll need the tool to get them back in. I picked up one that looked like a cube with different configurations on each face. Useful to use on other cars like hondas.
3. I got the rebuild kits from Mazdatrix for just over $100(?) for all four. If you want new springs and shims it will cost more.
4. Use the 10mm flare nut wrench for the brake lines. Life is easier so buy one if you don't have it.
5. I didn't install speed bleeders, but I've heard good things.
6. This forum has a good walkthrough, but go with the FSM and cross reference the DIY.
7. Somewhere on this forum I found a neat trick to put plastic wrap over the reservoir opening and then tighten the cap over it for a tight seal. Minimizes fluid leakage when you open the system.
8. I took the time to do a lot of general housekeeping.

Thanks for your two cents.

I will only be rebuilding the front and also install new hardware from Mazda while i have her out.
I am currently running speed bleeders and they sure are worth every penny. Summit racing always has them in stock.

Now i just need to call ray at malloy mazda to see how much are the new hardware.

thanks.

I rebuilt my TII calipers not too long ago. Same thing as the FD. nguybao pretty much hit it on the head.

Only real pain in the ass is getting the pistons out. When I was forcing them out with air, one would pop then you'd have to shove it back in to keep the air from escaping so you could get the other ones loose. Only problem is, that piston would get re-stuck. Turned into a game of musical chairs. You may not have this problem though as your calipers have about 7 years and ~120k less miles on um.

When you get done though, you'll feel alot better knowing that's one less thing to go wrong

Also, I'd suggest replacing the hardlines from the calipers to the shock. They're less than 10 bucks a side and add just a lil extra sanity insurance.

Yup it takes a little fiddling around. I just used various thickness pieces of wood and some creativity. I used the inside part of the caliper as a brace to keep one side from popping out completely. Then reversed to get the other side. Then twisted them out gently by hand.

Ditto on the hardlines. I also installed stainless brakes lines all around. I used OEM parts from Mazdatrix, but Malloy should have some good prices on all that too.

I have a freshly rebuilt and polished front calipers I am looking to sell! Come with speed bleeders... and even throw in a set of new shims. PM me if interested.