Disks

[Don Pamponi]

Was there ever a concensus on upgraded brake disks/pads?

Ideas anyone, or should I just overhaul the standard calipers & uprate the pads?

[mpk490p]

you can get drilled and grooved discs cheap enough from the us hawk pads from a couple of the venders on here

not sure about a complete new upgrade you may loose you PCD could go tII brakes?

Mark

[antnicuk]

i had a low mileage first gen with superb brakes, it had Hawk Pads (blues) black diamond discs (drilled/grooved) allround from clive and the calipers were all working as they should.

I didnt know first gen brakes were every supposed to be that good, i was pleasantly suprised. This would certainly be good enough for road use.

Sounds like you are getting a little enthusiasm back.   It must be that loverly weather i can hear outside!

[MikeLMR]

same here, totally stock brakes on my 7 and they were more than adequate, in fact I would go as far as saying they are extremely good for a car of that age.

[antnicuk]

on the other hand all the gen 1 i have had have been crap, i think the calipers has a lot to do with, i would definately have them referbed/rebuilt

[shaunwil]

Are calipers easy to rebuild ?? Can you buy a kit off the shelf to rebuild the calipers ?

Mine doesn\'t feel terrible but it feels like i have warped discs, need them re-skimming !

Shaun

[djguru]

Calipers are easy to rebuild even for those not mechanically adept (ie. me!).  I re-did my fronts a few years back; the hardest part was the loosening of the caliper mounting bolts without rounding the bolt ends. The caliper piston seals had degraded so they looked like silicone sealant (no wonder the brakes were rubbish); once the wire retainer ring was removed from around the seals I used a compressed air nozzle gun to force the piston out of the caliper; there was no other non-destructive way to do this.  Checked the piston for pitting or rough spots (as per Haynes if I recall) and used really fine emery paper to rectify where required; decided it was all good enough to go back together. The rebuild \'kit\' (basically the seals and the retaining ring) was a Mazda item, i can\'t remember if I got it from the states with other stuff I bought or got it here (mail from Bourne Rd Mazda?).
I changed the disks - standard ventilated - and bearings at the same time and the brakes were as good as new.
I agree that, even in standard format, the brakes are more than ok.

Dave

[Don Pamponi]

Well I was told mine were all refurbed with the rest of the car, but I supect the calipers were just painted.....

[kiwimazda]

Right, dont get excited but a couple of us are working on a brake upgrade kit.
It will be interesting and use parts found here in the UK
More details in a couple of weeks:wave

[djguru]

I know in Australia years ago one of the common upgrades offered was the use of Girling 4-pot calipers from the Volvo 240 model range. Can\'t remember the exact details of the mod, how hard or easy it was and which evolution of the 1st gen it was best suited to.  
Kiwimazda - do you recall this?

Dave

[kiwimazda]

We are looking at using the Gen 2 4 pots. Its been done by various other people in the US and its simple enough now Ive seen the templates etc. Or how about putting on another G1 calliper opposite the 1st one:xconfused

[MikeLMR]

I was looking at this kit for a sierra the other day and thinking of fitting one to my 323 ... re-work the brackets etc. It\'s not really that big of a deal AND it comes with brand new calipers and discs. Would cost more for a set of FB discs and recon Rx7 calipers.

http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=10508&osCsid=141b448cbdd0443e1c4b7ff8c7185336

We also struggled to fit Rx7 calipers under sensibly sized wheels. It was a right job to fit them under 14" wheels and I\'m still not quite sure how we squeezed them in!

[MikeLMR]

hmm just noticed thats for a solid disc kit ... not ideal. They do other kits for more $$$\'s

[drutin]

howzit

either reco your calipers and get slotted and grooved discs and good pads or

2 options i like

one.. use series 4/5 brake cailpers and discs, on series 3 get the disc machined off the hub and turned down so disc fits over hub and get disc redrilled to 4 stud holes 4x114.3 pcd them make mounting bracket for caliper

two... use series 4/5 brake cailpers discs and hubs but change to 5 stud 5x114.3 pcd get sleeve made for outside stub axle diameter and inside bearing diameter, fit over stub axle press on and then fit series 4/5 hubs fit discs and make caliper mounting bracket

option 3... get after market expensive brake discs and caliper kit dont like this option as too expensive and only really needed if racing

i used option 2 for my cortina and my series 3

hope helps

later
glen

[kiwimazda]

Top man Glen. Option 2 is where I am heading and I can get it all made 10 mins from my house:D