Any views on what pads to pop onto my 2000 mx5 would be gr8 and if this job is an easy one or do I need some "speacial " tool to get the job done… Cheers [maz]
Some useful links & threads here.
I’ve had Axxis Ultimates - great pad, but very dusty.
EBC Kevlar (currently) - adequate road pad, hardly any dust!
Good Afternoon,
I’ve just replaced the rear pads on my car, I’m not much of a mechanic, but followed this guide on the forum, took my time and it was pretty straight forward.
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/p/831/2495.aspx
I bought my pads from here, the Ultimax ones, I’ve used them on the front for a while now (even did a few laps of the Nurburgring) and they’re fine for spirited driving.
http://www.ebcbrakesdirect.com/
I had to buy a 4mm hex key and a trolley jack (Screw Fix do a great box set, 2 ton jack, axle stands and wheel blocks for £32), even so it worked out much cheaper than taking it to the dealer.
EBC Redstuff on mine (all round), currently just through the main part of the bedding in process, and they are pretty amazing.
My MK2.5 Sport has bigger discs, pads & callipers than most models, and with them I don’t think you could get much if any more braking performance (at road speeds) than what I’ve got with Genuine Mazda discs & Redstuff pads.
Even when the discs are (fairly) cold, they are able to get the ABS going at 70MPH, and they are even better when they have a bit of heat in them.
There is a small amount of noise with light braking pressure on ‘warm’ discs, but it’s barely noticeable even with the roof down.
So far, there is absolutely no noticeable issues with brake dust (one of EBCs main selling points), but as I say, it is early days, and furthermore my car is usually washed 2 or 3 times a week ([:)]), so I’m not really giving anything a chance.
Use the guides as suggested above, and you will have no problems [Y]
I’ve got a slight grinding noise coming from my front brakes when I’m coming to rest.
I assumed that the front pads are completley worn (It’s difficult to see how much pad is left unlike the rears which are very obvious).
Was intrigued by the bit in the guide that mentioned ‘sqealers’. I have been without a car for a few years before my 5 but the last car I had would give me a warning light a few hundred miles before I needed new pads.
Are these incorporated as standard to MX5 pads?
Does this mean my pads are probably good for a bit longer?
Lol - no warning light (Mk1), and the “squealer” is a tab of metal that will rub on the disk when pad is worn down enough.
You can bend this away a little as there will be some pad left unused - BUT don’t delay replacing the pads by very long.
Do you always get squealer squeal?
I’m not getting any squeal, just a vary slight grinding type noise sometimes at very low speeds, almost like the discs were rusty.
I’m planning on upgrading to axxis ultimates anyway, just wondering if it’s a case of now rather than sooner as I don’t want to knacker the discs.
Assuming you’ve got ordinary disks (i.e. not drilled or grooved) I’d take a wheel off and investigate further.
As Goof says, for all the time it takes, I’d have a wee look, just to be safe [Y]