My mechanic told me that my rear calipers need replacing. I’ve been doing some research and I understand I could fit mk1 calipers in my 2003 1.6 mk2 as long as they belong to a 1.8, as 1.6 mk1 discs are smaller while both 1.6 and 1.8 mk2 use bigger rear brakes?
Any advice? I’m struggling to find anything on ebay. Should I try euro car parts? Thank you!
I wouldn’t bother with used calipers.
Remanufactured calipers:
https://www.autolinkmx5.com/brake-caliper-rear-lh-mazda-mx-5-16--18-mk1--mk2-left-hand-remanufactured-22-p.asp
https://www.autolinkmx5.com/brake-caliper-rear-rh-mazda-mx-5-16--18-mk1--mk2-right-hand-remanufactured-293-p.asp
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/rear-caliper-reconditioned-mk1-25-standard-brake-p-380.html
The caliper stayed the same, just the disc and the caliper mounting bracket changed, going from 1.6 to 1.8.
Rear calipers are interchangeable across 1989 to 2005 cars apart from the cars with the big brakes 270mm diameter discs, late certain Mk2 and a good few Mk2.5 cars but not all these cars. The caliper brackets are larger on the MK1 1.8 and on the Mk2 cars to fit the 250mm discs.
The front calipers on the 1.8 MK1 and the non 270mm diameter big brake Mk2 and Mk2.5 cars are interchangeable.
The big brake cars have their own specific calipers, hoses and brackets.
Mine is a mk 2.5. I don’t know if it’s on of those you’re talking about?. It’s a 1.6 from 2003.
Basically If I get these calipersfit to my mechanic will he be able to fit them?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F153323992191
If not, what about these
Thanks for your help pal I really appreciate itthttps://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323321531826
Rear brakes only.
I no longer try to refurb the older car calipers or use secondhand as the price of remanufactured or in some cases new units from trusted suppliers is too keen to bother.
Both of the links you list offer calipers that will fit although the seller of the latter link tries to tell you otherwise.
As stated all standard rear brakes - calipers, carriers, etc are the same for MK1 - MK2.5 cars 1989 - 2005.
If you need guidance/confirmation in this respect, check out MX5Parts website specs on their offerings.
I would not fit used calipers on the rear - go for refurb or new. used calipers will likely need new seals and probably pistons. Corrosion on the pistons means they will work fine on the car they were taken off but will probably have issue when fitted to another car where the corrosion band may interfere with seals, etc.
OC discount from Autolinkuk more or less covers the VAT (bit less), making those calipers a bargain. Remanufactured calipers better than brand new pattern calipers.
Most mechanics can fit the calipers, but many have problems setting them up; they can call Autolinkuk for advice.
So I ended up ignoring you guys and I got the second hand ones for 50 pounds, from a 1.6 Mk1. My mechanic told me that they don’t fit my car, which is confusing as everyone told me they should fit. He also told me that he managed to install the brakes but the handbrake would then stop working . Do you guys think the calipers were in bad condition (they were advertised as in exelent condition from mx5dudes) or my mechanic is rubbish and doesn’t know how to install them? Anyway I have ordered the refurbished ones from autolink as you suggested. I apologise for not following your advice from the beginning but I was trying to be savy
Right, what do you think, was it the calipers fault or the mechanics fault?
thanks again
It is your fault! I give up on this post!!!
LOL calm down I ended up buying the refurbished ones didn’t I
MKII 1.6 has MKI 1.8 brakes so the callipers are different.
Hi,
Have you had a look at the Downlaods section of the website. There you will find instructions on how to replace the rear brake calipers and how to adjust the handbrake.
The used calipers will fit your car, but are not working because - either the mechanic’s lack of knowledge on how to adjust the handbrake, or the brake piston is corroded and will not move to the right position.
Update: I note from the MX5 parts website that on some rear calipers, the handbrake bracket that is bolted to the caliper is different on the MK1 1.6 and they recommend using the bracket from the removed caliper.
Rear caliper part numbers; they are all interchangeable. The front 1.8 caliper is different from the 1.6 caliper, but the calipers are interchangeable, albeit they have to turn upside down, which shouldn’t work, but it does.
Late NA8
NA75-26-980A
NA75-26-990A
Early NB8
NA75-26-980C
NA75-26-990C
Late NA6CE
NA 10-26-980
NA 10-26-990
My bad sorry, I thought we were talking front calipers. Read properly Rob!!!
You should really have taken heed of the free advice buddy:-)
One of the problems with the rears is handbrake operation or lack of it. There is a lozenge that levers in a cam to operate the handbrake. These do wear over time and the handbrake operation on one side or both fails or is limited. Trust me, it was one of the first jobs I did on my MK1 1.6 back in the early 2000s. Send the calipers back and trust the advice of people that have absolutely nothing to gain by passing on our experience.
Fair play to you coming back to admit that you ignored advice to save money and it did not work out. Look forward to hearing that you have spent some time to send the broken calipers back, been refunded and then done the thing you were advised to do in the first place.
Here endeth the lesson my son:-)
Cut your loses and take Rhino’s advice.