1993 Protege LX Brake Rebuild

[wolfy]

All:

Here is my introduction thread:
So glad this site is here. I am stoked about my "new" ride. Minus the spot of rust it is perfect. Brakes need work, and the ac is very weak, but other then that the car is awesome. I will post up some more pics later of the inside and other parts. Silly but I just love the style of this car.

http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/showthread.php?63218-New-member-with-1993-Mazda-Protege-LX

First things first here are the pics

More to come later!


The brakes are shot. This car must have sat for a while because the front passenger caliper is very sticky and drags very bad. And by judging the general condition of all the other brakes, I have decided to replace all calipers, rotors, hoses and pads. Not something to do half way in my opinion. And their conditions warrants it. As the rotors are warped a bit too.

I will be reviewing some of these threads. Thanks for posting this guys!

http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/showthread.php?53418

http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/showthread.php?57681-Installed-Front-Brake-Rotors-and-Pads

Parts that I am using is simply O'Reilly's Parts. This will be a simple commuter car for me. Ceramic pads, rebuild calipers, and regular rotors.

Silly question though, do the rotors simply pop off when I remove the caliper? I didn't see any retaining screws. And that axle nut looks to be for the well axle and hub.

Any other tips for me before I get started?
Thanks
Wolfy

[goldstar]

Welcome to the Forum.

I'm moving your thread to the designated section for your year car.


Happy Motoring!

[wolfy]

Welcome to the Forum.

I'm moving your thread to the designated section for your year car.


Happy Motoring!

I'm sorry I must have clicked the wrong forum section. Thanks for moving it to the correct spot for me. Sorry about that!

[wolfy]

Ok. I did the brakes this past Saturday afternoon and evening. Took my time and everything went great. This was my 1st time replacing most all of the brake parts. I have done rotors and pads on my 91 ford 2wd truck. Easy work. I also have done all the brakes on my 52 GMC truck, all drums.

I just bought this car for next to nothing, because the brakes "Didn't work very well"
My left front brake was very sticky. To the point it was hard to accelerate. Drug pretty bad. The pedal was very very firm, like there wasn't any power assist. As I took all the wheels off to access the brakes I came to the conclusion that I might as well replace them all. The overall condition of the fronts were bad, the rotors were warped as well. The rears weren't much better. Pads thin and wearing unevenly and very rusty and just didn't look good at all. Once I got everything off I am really glad I made the decision to replace them all.

So a trip the O'Reilly's was on order. I picked up new calipers, rotors, ceramic pads, and hoses for all 4 corners. The hoses were all dry, but some were cracking, and I have to bleed the brakes anyway, might as well do it right and be done with it. For the last few days prior to this I have been spraying down all my connections with PB Blaster. Awesome penetrating fluid!

1st off was the sticking front right. Got the caliper off and yeah it was impossible to move. So I took it all off and sure enough the back pad was stuck to the rotor. A lil tap and it came off. So I banged on the rotor for a while to get the rotor free from the hub. No luck. Then I notice a small screw or bolt threads on the rotor. I go get an old bolt, thread it in and wrench it down. The rotor pops right off! I'm sure that is why its there, but I was excited I thought of it. I'm sure you true mechanics will tell me DUH! I then remove the old hose. and all the old parts. I get the new fat shinny rotors on and new caliper and hose. Easy peasy to put it all together.

Next I do the front drivers side, and then move on to the rears. All my little clip / springs that hold the pads out away from the caliper on all 4 corners were busted and most were either half gone or gone.

Next was to adjust the parking brake, thanks for the write up on that guys! Very easy to follow and super helpful. I would not have known about that little hidden screw if it weren't for you all.
I then get my helpful wife to help be bleed the brakes. Took about 30 min as all my fluid was out due to me changing the hoses. But the end result is awesome. Perfect tight pedal, very easy to push in so my booster is just fine.

Oh while my wheels were off I gave them a quick clean. Some Power Purple and a green scotch bright pad on the back side and about 3 min and here are the results. Might as well since they were off right My tires are almost new. Old owner just replaced them.

Oh and this car is a blast to drive! I love the mazda and how it handles. It is off to the shop tomorrow to get the AC checked out it blows cold, but barely. Im sure its low, but I am having a guy evacuate it all out, put the correct amount of oil in and refrigerant. Cost for that is a little bit more then just buying a can of R134a. Its been converted over already. Next I will start on some other mods or maint items. I'm sure I will have some questions.

Now on to the pics!

[me109]

Great result! Glad you didn't have any trouble. I see you realized you didn't need to take the axle nut off. What a pain that would have been.

I didn't see this thread until today, but here are some tips for next time. Apply some grease to the back of the rotors, and the back of the wheels to prevent rust seisure. I've used lithium, wheel bearing grease, and even Vasaline. You can grease the emergency brake actuater lever on the rear calipers too. That might even be worth doing now. Also, think about painting your calipers to protect them from corrosive brake dust.

[wolfy]

Thanks 109! I did put some Anti-Sease "copper grease" on the backs of the disks and hubs so they won't stick again.

Funny thing you mention that axle nut, because it did cross my mind, but I know those can be a pain and you must get them back to the proper torque. So I looked at the new disk and held it up to the old one and decided there was no way that axle nut was holding anything on.

Car is at my mechanic today looking at the AC system. Hope its nothing too major...

[wolfy]

Got the car back from my mechanic. Great reputable guy. I had him put in a new CV axle on my passenger side as well. I noticed the boot was torn when I was doing the brakes. He only charged me $100 labor for that. So I was very happy to pay that, as I don't have the tools to do that work. I could but I for my time, naw, I did the brakes myself saved a bunch of money there.

Also the AC works and it works great. He said it was low, so he evacuated the system, checked for leaks. There were none, recharged it with the proper amount and type of oil, and gas. For $80 bucks!!! The can of R134a was going to cost me $45 alone. And really without a proper set of manifold gauges you cannot get the correct level into the system. Also as I just bought the car I had no idea what was in there before. So it is nice to know that the system is working as it should with the correct "stuff" in there.

Also gave the car a good wash last night, and scrapped off all the stickers. There were 4 parking lot stickers, and a few silly ones on the truck. Much better now! I hope to get a chance to polish it and get some sealant on the paint now. Then maybe off to the tint place soon.

Thanks fellas'

[wolfy]

I really need to get some pics up.

Polished the headlights, they are nice and clear again. Also polished the entire care and put a good coat of Zaino Z2 sealant on it. It shinned up very nice. Looks great.

Also ordered some cheep pre-cut window tint. $36 bucks shipped to my door. I installed it, and it looks fantastic now too. Other then that I have put about 2k miles on it in the last few months. Car is running better and better. Doesn't shake or vibrate as much on idle now. I flushed the trans fluid, and ran seafoam through the intake a few times. Also a full service of new plugs, wires, rotor and cap air filter.

One thing is the handling is great, its just tired. I know it needs new struts, and sway bar bushings and end links. Any other trouble spots I should look out for?

[FE3-323]

what did you clean your wheels with?? that looks amazing

[wolfy]

I did the insides with a green scotch bright pad and some Power Purple. I did not use this on the fronts, just the Power purple. Took less then a few min per wheel.

[wolfy]

Just another update. Got 4 new quick struts in ordered from rock auto. Glad I went a head and got the whole assembly. One of the top mounts was shot. The boots were gone on the rear struts.

The fronts looked newer then the rears. Got all 4 of them replaced with the new units. It was really pretty easy. The fronts were much easier then the rears. The car now sits about 1-1.5" higher. The ride is like night and day different. 100X better! so glad I changed these.

Next on order is the sway bar bushings and end links from energy suspension. Mine right now are shot. The car is coming along. It will be up to par soon!

[me109]

Good news! Glad to see someone else actually enjoying a lift.

[wolfy]

109, thanks. Yes I am enjoying it! Mainly because the suspension is where it should be now. Man I still can't believe how much better it rides. The rears where really bad and the fronts were just bad

Can't wait to get the new sway bar bushings and end

[wolfy]

Look what I got in the mail today! Can't wait to get these installed

[FE3-323]

new bushings are always a good feeling!