DIY Mazda Miata Rotor & Brake Installation
The two-seater Mazda MX-5 Miata is a fun, sporty car. It has endured three generational redesigns since its introduction in 1989. Like with ...
The two-seater Mazda MX-5 Miata is a fun, sporty car. It has endured three generational redesigns since its introduction in 1989. Like with any vehicle on the road, however, the brakes will eventually have to be replaced. Replacing the brakes yourself on the Mazda Miata will help you understand how the brakes work, save you time and money, and reward you with the experience of building a relationship with your car. Some specialty tools will be required, as well as a degree of craftsmanship. Be sure to allow yourself ample time to replace the pads and rotors.
Front Rotor and Brake Installation
Safely lift the car and support it on jack stands. Crack the lug nuts loose with the Miata on the ground before lifting, unless you have the luxury of an air compressor and pneumatic tools. Another good idea before beginning is to remove a third of the brake fluid from the master cylinder using a siphon. This way, the master cylinder does not overflow when you retract the caliper pistons and force fluid backwards through the hydraulic system.
After removing the wheels, remove the bottom caliper bolt and then pivot the caliper upwards and remove it from the upper caliper slide bolt by pushing it away from you. Support the caliper using a bungee cord or mechanic's wire. The pads can be pried out of the caliper bracket, and it is recommended to remove the pad clips and either clean them or replace them with new ones. Next, remove the caliper bracket bolts and remove the bracket.
The front rotors may have retaining bolts that will need to be removed using a hammer and an impact screwdriver. After they are removed, you will be able to remove the rotor.
Compress the caliper piston with a pair of channel locks, a large C-clamp or a caliper retracting tool.
To reinstall, be sure to clean the coating on the new rotors using a parts cleaner or brake cleaner spray. Also, be sure to apply a high-temp brake lubricant to the caliper bolt slides and to the pad clips. Wipe any of the excess lubricant that may get onto the new rotors.
Rear Rotor and Brake Installation
The rear rotor and brake installation is very similar to the front, though the top caliper bolt is removed and the caliper is pivoted downwards. The parking brake cable is also integrated with the rear caliper and will need to be removed and replaced. Make sure to properly reinstall and align the adjusting screw. Later model Miatas also use a screw-in type caliper piston in the rear, so the tools to compress the front calipers won't work. Special tools are required to screw in the caliper pistons, but they're both available and affordable at most parts stores.
After the Brakes are Replaced
Once the brakes are replaced, the wheel nuts tightened and torqued to specs, be sure to pump the foot brake pedal in order to seat the pads to the rotors. This will also move the hydraulic pressure back from the master cylinder towards the compressed calipers. Failing to do this will result in no braking response from the Miata because the pistons have not had time to extend out from the bores. This can cause a serious accident. Be sure to check the level of the fluid in the master cylinder once you've pumped the foot brake pedal enough times to make it feel firm.
