So judging by the replies in this thread the best “Bang for Buck” is change the brake fluid.
I’ve had the car 2.5 years and looking through what service records I have there’s no mention of a fluid change.
It will be an excuse to drag my car lift out and actually use it for my own stuff. So far its only been used for other peoples vehicles.
Now to order the parts and hope that the summer returns.
Thanks for provoking me into what must be the most neglected item in servicing a car.
Paul G
Out of sight, out of mind and it is really surprising how badly neglected brakes still stop the car and are good enough to pass an MOT.
Not patronising or gloating, failed miserably with this myself on more than one occasion and several cars. Don’t like using brakes, its what the gearbox is for innit?
Here you go - gone up a few pence since I bought but still a real bargain!
you should have enough there to do the clutch as well.
And still some left over,even cheaper with the current 50% off, mind you ECP always have something off.
Bought the fluid, thanks Rhino, and as mx5parts were out of stock I payed £85 from Pro-lineMotorsport for the SS lines.
Payed my membership to the OC, so best go deliver some invoices.
Paul G
Had a few of these braided hose split and leak over the years. Never an issue with OE Mazda. Brake master cylinder braces also achieve much of the same effect (firmer brake) without compromising the braking system with parts of dubious origin.
I notice that generally, many with the xperience, will warn against pattern replacement calipers, in favour of remanufactured Mazda cores, but there is a suspension of disbelief when it comes to these hoses.
I don’t know what to say …
You do realise that many many items fitted to a finished car are not made by the car manufacturer themselves but are bought in from outside suppliers. If that supplier can’t meet the deadline
then they simply go elsewhere. Some of the top companies in the world don’t produce a car, merely bits for cars. Brembo in the case of brakes for instance.
Please don’t tar all performance parts with the same “dubious” brush.
Paul G
A shame you were not involved in this thread earlier - as you can see Paul has lashed out £85 of his hard earned on a set of these. I was not aware of reliability issues but had heard that some of these sets were not really designed for the MX5 - the seller just added MX5 because with some effort that should not really be required with new parts, they could actually be fitted.
What braided hoses have you had issue with please and has there been any cause other than simply an inferior part that has let you down.
Hope the brake fluid changes transforms the brakes Paul. Got my work cut out this weekend as water off. The old alkathene service pipe sprung a leak in the middle of the night so car plans on hold whilst I replace all that. Try and catch up on some sleep too.
quote " Hope the brake fluid changes transforms the brakes Paul. Got my work cut out this weekend as water off. "
Parts not due till Tues/Wed and then it will depend on my workload. Hope your waterworks go well.
Paul G
The fluid and braided lines have arrived. Got to stay in tomorrow as I have some ducting being picked up, and a Noble twin exhaust being delivered
for conversion to re-packable. Nothing to actually do so I might as well raise MiXi skyward and make a start. Forecast is good so rather than be cramped
in the garage I’ll go for a suntan.
Paul G
c
Hope your local forecast is better than mine Paul 0% precipitation in my area, just got back from dog walk and got wet
Cars in to Mazda today for hood problems diagnostics, so hastily (well, rather slowly actually) got the lid up as I’m sure main dealer will just leave the car outside before and after its alloted time in the workshop.
TBH, I’m also an “outdoors” man as my garage too, is rather small.
Barrie
Yes, this is what “OE Mazda” means; reference to tier 1 suppliers. I believe a lot of the braking parts Mazda has used has come from Sumitomo, for instance. Suppliers are selected on a variety of criteria, not just “timeline”, but also price, performance characteristics and quality. Tier 4 suppliers never get a shot at supplying a car maker, usually because their quality control is terrible. Rota is good enough to supply Toyota factories in the Phillipines, but you will never find a Rota on a new Toyota in the UK, as basically, their wheels aren’t that round, enough of the time.
Braided lines were never standard fitment to any Mazda. I’d be interested if anyone can put forward an application that uses braided lines as standard. The failed ones I have had were fitted by previous owners, and based on paperwork, have been sourced from various UK suppliers (HEL probably). Failure seems to be where the tubing is crimped or fitted into the banjo.
I am not tarring “all performance parts with the same “dubious” brush.” You’ve gotten me mixed up with someone else. Just reminding that increduality should not be suspended just because its a braided line. I still would stand by fitting a brake brace ahead of changing the rubber brake lines, if the goal was improving brake pedal feel. If the brake brace doesn’t do it for you, then you think about the lines, and then you have to decide are the lines swelling because they are old, or because you are asking too much of the stock parts. My instinct, if in that situation, would be still to fit new OE Mazda parts, and I would be confident they would be as good, for my needs as braided lines, with less of the risk because of insufficient testing by the supplier.
I suppose as a measure, you seek lines with TUV approval. This certifies that the part is at least of equivalent quslity to OE. Its not infallible. In North America, there is very little regulation of aftermarket car parts, and consequently there are distinct tiers of suppliers, that can get pretty alarming to those in the UK used to a more benign regulated environment. We can be generally assured that, for instance, our brake pads will work. Americans aren’t.
MiXi is soaking in a few squirts of 3in1 penetrant while I soak in a mix of sunshine and Cornish Ice Cream.
It seems the logical way to approach the job.
No problems with my forecast Barrie.
Paul G
Yes, I know. I should have washed the mud off