Handbrake problems.

[drfeelgood]

Hi,

My handbrake seems to be failing on the left rear wheel. I've had
it fixed (more than once) but my mechanic, nice fellow though he is,
doesn't seem to be able to fix it permanently.
It works for a few weeks and then the left rear brake fades. The brake
pads are fine, and so is the handbrake cable as far as I know.
The caliper has been reassembled too, though I would not be surprised
if this is still the problem.

Not being mechanically minded myself, advice about what could be wrong
would probably wash over me. However, I was hoping someone could recommend
a mechanic who really knows what they are doing and can fix it once, and fix
it right. I'd prefer to find a mechanic in Takapuna
or the central city, but to get it done well, I'll travel...

Thanks for any help,
R.

[simple]

My handbrake seems to be failing on the left rear wheel. I've had it
fixed (more than once) but my mechanic, nice fellow though he is,
doesn't seem to be able to fix it permanently. It works for a few
weeks and then the left rear brake fades. The brake pads are fine, and
so is the handbrake cable as far as I know. The caliper has been
reassembled too, though I would not be surprised if this is still the
problem.

I had a similar problem - it turned out to be the bowden cable
running from the handbrake equaliser (under the middle of the car,
where the single cable from the handbrake lever splits) to the brake
caliper. It seems that the rubber sealing bellows had come
off/disintegrated and were letting dust & muck into the cable,
eventually making it bind. With the wheels off the ground and
handbrake on, I could still turn the affected wheel by hand.

The faulty cable was not obvious when I tried to fix it (it still
moved, but apparently not enough), so I ended up going to "Sterling
Brake & Clutch" (or Sterling Clutch & Brake) in Onehunga. I have no
qualms about recommending them - they certainly seem to know what
they're doing.

Otherwise, I'd suggest Rotary Power (Sunnybrae Rd, Glenfield).


Karl.

[SLYDIT]

Theres also a bolt which adjusts the hand brake in the
rear calipers. Often these seize up and an unfamiliar
mechanic may adjust the cable but not the caliper
adjusters.
My caliper adjusting bolts are a bit too free as i put
anti-seize on them and i have to nip them up every now
and then! This is maybe whats happening on your
car,(Nicely lubricated bolt loosening off after time)
I beleive the procedure is to have the car on a flat
surface with the hand brake OFF and use an allen key
to screw the rear pads in till they touch the disc,
then back off the screws 1/4 turn.
Please correct me if that procedure was incorrect as i
cant find my haines manual at the mo.
Glenn "SLYDIT"

[Greg McBain]

This does not come from personal experience of brake problems, nor do I know
if this is his area of expertise, but Glynn at City Garage knows the MX5
very well.

At Marmion St just up the hill from the Queen St / Mayoral Drive
intersection in central Auckland. Phone 379 5649.

May be worth a try

Regards,
Greg