Mk1 MX5 1.6 brakes
Discussion
The pedal travel is a bit long and the brakes lack bite. They work in a fashion.
The previous owner said he had r[laced the front pads with std Mintex pads.
Could the long travel (its not air as the pedal is firm with the engine off and they don't pump up) be down to old brake fluid ie needs replacing.
What do people here use pad wise? I use Mintex 1144s on the Caterham which work well.
The previous owner said he had r[laced the front pads with std Mintex pads.
Could the long travel (its not air as the pedal is firm with the engine off and they don't pump up) be down to old brake fluid ie needs replacing.
What do people here use pad wise? I use Mintex 1144s on the Caterham which work well.
Sounds like fluid to me though it could be brake lines need replacing.
If it's a road car then standard Mazda pads are well up to the job. They will even take light track use though if it gets used on track much the Axxis ULT or EBC Yellowstuff (I prefer the Axxis) are a good upgrade. Mintex 1144 are very good but a bit more expensive and not that much better.
If it's a road car then standard Mazda pads are well up to the job. They will even take light track use though if it gets used on track much the Axxis ULT or EBC Yellowstuff (I prefer the Axxis) are a good upgrade. Mintex 1144 are very good but a bit more expensive and not that much better.
MX-5 Lazza said:
Could be a leaky brake cylinder then. Try (with the engine running) pushing the brake pedal and holding it down for a while. If it slowly sinks down then the cylinder is knackered. It should actually feel like it's trying to push your foot back up as your leg weakens...
Possible but would this only manifest itself with the engine off as well as the padal is hard?You can apply more brake pressure with the engine running as you get servo assistance. Without the engine running you probably wouldn't be able to push the pedal hard enough.
Air in the fluid is still the most likely cause imo though. Just because they had to bleed the brakes to fit new callipers doesn't mean they did a good job of it
Air in the fluid is still the most likely cause imo though. Just because they had to bleed the brakes to fit new callipers doesn't mean they did a good job of it
MX-5 Lazza said:
You can apply more brake pressure with the engine running as you get servo assistance. Without the engine running you probably wouldn't be able to push the pedal hard enough.
Air in the fluid is still the most likely cause imo though. Just because they had to bleed the brakes to fit new callipers doesn't mean they did a good job of it
Agreed, sounds like air in the system, most never do the brakes the right way, be it pad and disc change(strip and rebuild), or calliper changes, the number i have had to put right,and show owners how to do it right over the years is unbelieveable,but they get it once shown.Air in the fluid is still the most likely cause imo though. Just because they had to bleed the brakes to fit new callipers doesn't mean they did a good job of it
As Lazza says dont take it for granted that the last owner or garage fitted them up correct with the right greases ect and bled right, including the handbrake setting.
M-m
Mazdamender said:
Agreed, sounds like air in the system, most never do the brakes the right way, be it pad and disc change(strip and rebuild), or calliper changes, the number i have had to put right,and show owners how to do it right over the years is unbelieveable,but they get it once shown.
As Lazza says dont take it for granted that the last owner or garage fitted them up correct with the right greases ect and bled right, including the handbrake setting.
M-m
I plan on doing mine soon. Any chance of some tips please? As Lazza says dont take it for granted that the last owner or garage fitted them up correct with the right greases ect and bled right, including the handbrake setting.
M-m
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