Genuine Mazda RX-7 Brake Pad Set

Mazda RX-7 Brake Pad Set Parts and Q&A

• Front Pads
  FDZ3-33-28ZA
  Q: How to replace the Brake Pad Set on Mazda RX-7?

  A:

  Elevate the front part of the car and hold it steadfastly on stands, and then take off the front wheel. Then remove the four small locking clips that hold the locking plates to the caliper with pliers. Two stopper plates pull out the plates with pliers, another difficult to remove, use a hammer and drift on the inboard side, but care should be taken not to hit the caliper. The caliper is now removable and must be suspended to the suspension with the use of wire to prevent any damage to the flexible hose. Disassemble the anti-rattle spring which is attached to the brake assembly and remove the brake pads on either side of the rotor. In changing front disc pads, make sure to change the four pads at the same time and to never intermix the type disc pads, everything must be of the same material. A thin film of lithium based grease to the spring metal on the caliper bracket where the front of the pad meets the spring metal will help prevent squeaks and rattles before the new pads are installed. In order to install the pads, first squeeze them to fit snugly between the spring metal and the rotor, then into place against the outer edge, with the pad with a little hole into which the anti-rattle spring fits being on the inside. Install the anti-rattle spring back in position with the curved portion of the spring installed in the small hole of the inboard brake pad. Test the caliper in fitting over the new pads and, should it not fit comfortably, owing to the presence of thicker linings, push the piston back, and this may cause the fluid to burst out at the master cylinder. Measure the level of the fluid and, where needed do so by a vinyl tube that fits between the bleeder screw and pushes the piston back with a swelling tool or C-clamp of a carpenter. After fitting the caliper over the pads, apply a coating of light lithium-based grease over the depressed parts of the caliper in contact with the stopper plates and also over the stopper plates, caliper mounting plate edges and the caliper mounting bracket to avoid squeaks or rattles. Installation of the caliper: To install the caliper, ensure that it is tilted in such a way that it catches under the top tension spring and then put the opposite end in into the rest of the tension springs, making sure that the anti-rattle spring is properly fitted. Place in the bottom stopper plate then slightly hammer on that plate and then the top stopper plate by using a screwdriver to push the caliper downwards to allow clearance. Remove the four locking clips and re-fit into the corresponding holes in the plates attached to the stopper and lastly, you need to bleed the brakes to get all the air out of the system. Install the wheels and lower the vehicle to the floor then do a brief test run to ensure the brakes are functioning properly and to look after any leakages.
• Pads
  FB71-33-28ZD
  Q: How often should the thickness of the lining on the Brake Pad Set be checked to prevent excessive damage on Mazda RX-7?

  A:

  The lining on the front disc pads should be gauged periodically to ensure that it is not excessively damaged, which may happen in case of wearing the linings to such a degree that the metal shoe and lining become damaged, and the total thickness of the metal shoe and lining must not be less than 0.236 in (6 mm). The pads of the front brake are checked by lifting up the car and taking off the front wheels; the pads may be checked by looking at them on either side of the disc over the caliper. The outer disc pad is simpler to observe and measure as compared with the inner one, and both the pads are to be inspected, but as the pads do not wear uniformly, it is of significance to measure them at varying locations. Also, the rotor surface needs to be examined during the procedure of pad checks, and it is important to look at the surface of the rotor to identify any form of wear, especially the presence of scoring or a hot spot of a different color that is shown by a small blemish. In case too much damage is observed on the rotor surface, it is necessary to change the pads and one is also advised to re-surface or change the rotor.