Having problem with left hand side hand brake not effective, Right hand side is O K adjusted cable up at in car handle till brake worked but this caused the left side to lock up lever on rear of calliper is moving - pads about 50%, seems no way to adjust cables separately.
Could be cable be stretched and needs replacing or will I need to replace both cables to get balance back?
Dont wish to insult you but have you actually adjusted the pads at the caliper before adjusting the cable.
Thanks, No not insulted - First experience of these brakes will read up how to do adjustment at caliper and have another go.
Also check that the handbrake arm on the bottom of the caliper is moving free, as these are open to all weathers and can freeze solid, also check that the cable on that side is also moving free.
Info in here may help?
http://www.mazdamenders.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=416
M-m
Basic rear caliper/handbrake adjustment is fairly straightforward. Unless you have acces to a ramp you will need to jack up and remove the rear wheels. Slacken the handbrake cable at the lever inside the car to remove any tension. It can be wise to replace a couple of wheel nuts on the studs (with a spacer if required) to ensure the disc does not move) though not always needed. Now assuming your caliper is free ie not seized on the slider pins all you need to do is remove the 14mm blanking plug from the back of the caliper (in line with the piston). Once done you can access the allen adguster screw (4mm I think). Turn it clockwise until the pads grip the disc then back it off about 1/2 a turn anticlockwise until the disc/hub turns again. It is likely to be quite heavy to turn as you are rotating the transmission, but as long as the brake is not dragging it will be ok (though a slight rub is likely). Do this both sides, then adjust the cable back up at the lever in the car to about 5 to 7 clicks and your handbrake should work.
You may wish to undo the caliper and check the slider pins are free and lubricated but the above is the basics. Make sure you block and chock the car for safety reasons.
May be worth looking at thes also. http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/831.aspx
Cheers for help & advice, seems sorted working much better now, thanks…
Easy when you know how. Before i looked this up, having just come into ownership of my 5, It failed the MOT on handbrake, ie only holding firmly on one side. The gararge changed the pads as they thought them to be over half worn. Picking the car up, i could pull up the hand brake and still pull away in second gear? The wokshop staff said it had passed but it was just not working. All the adjustment had been taken up at the handbrake lever so they obviously didnt know or care about the caliper adjusters. The old pads mysteriously vanished but would have showen the ware to have been very little as the pads are thin from new anyway.You live and learn dont you
Sure do 
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While this is not a difficult job at all, once you have done it a couple of time, I would strongly recommend that rather than trying to wind the piston back with the very fragile splined “key” that you actually help the piston back, either with a proper piston compression tool or a long screw driver across the piston and other side of the calliper. So push the piston back, wind the key gently till is starts to stiffen again push the piston back again and repeat till it is all the way in.<o:p></o:p>
It only takes seconds but can save you all the tears of a stripped key.<o:p></o:p>
M-m