Had dinitrol/underseal done at Rustbusters Spalding last week and handbrake hold is gradually getting worse and it won’t hold on inclines. ![]()
Could treatment materials affect the cable operation or pads - would wax in there give me problems, suggestions as to what to look for or replace please
Frog
p.s. In UK at the moment (sw cornwall) and if there is a good MX5 specialist in the area to consult let me know
p.p.s Urgent as have to get MOT (Contrle Technique) done next week when I get back to the Dordogne
The rear brake calipers have a handbrake mechanisim in them that goes after a while and no you cannot blame the rust proffing guys. I’m afraid it’s to you account.
First lossen handbrake cable at the handbrake lever and get the little 14 AF mm covers off the handbrake adjusters.
Put a 4mm allen key into the hole in the caliper that the 14mm cover was in and try and tighten the adjuster to get the wheel locked and back off a quarter turn. Replace the 14mm AF cover and tighten the handbrake cable again and make sure the handbrake cables are not broken there are three of them.
Is the handbrake now working probably not?
My guess is the mechanism in the calipers is jammed and possibly the disc pads are well worn. Also check the state of the discs themselves.
Just replace the two rear calipers on a Mk 1 a few days ago and pads. The discs were OKish.
I would tend to buy the bits from either MX5parts, Autolink or Brakeparts.co.uk.
Do not buy the calipers from an unknown source on ebay.
Pretty common fault.
Thanks Eddie
All 4 discs and pads and cables bought from MX5 parts and replaced last year about 2000 to 3000 miles ago and adjusted a month ago to allow for any bedding in. will adjust them again checking mechanism in calipers is not jammed then see what happens. If jammed is it just a case of replacing calipers?
Unless it is goo on the discs from the underseal it is basically a case of do I rebuild or replace.
If they are say 10 years old then what are you going to find when you strip them.
Sometimes life is too short and you replace.
Wear and tear and just needs re-adjustment on the handbrake, but i would recommend a proper service being done on the braking system.
M-m