TeamPlayers

First of all I retract my previous thread http://www.protegeclub.com/showthread.php?t=38660 ....Mazda sucks. Today just started out bad.

I went to go to the store and came to a flat tire. So I jump in the other whip and go buy a patch kit. I get back and take the car to the garage to fix the flat and change the pads. Well I spent 2hrs trying to get the rims off. No luck I only got one off. So I start to change the pads on the one wheel I got off. I pull the caliper off and try to push the piston back I bent my clamp trying to push it back. Yes I opened the bleeder valve and still no luck.

Now my car is in the garage on jack stands and I am taking a break. If anyone has any suggestions it would help me out ALOT.

jster28

Put some more torque to break free the lugs, make sure the car is on the ground and put your weight to it but be careful not to strip the lugs or break the studs. break them all loose before raising car up. If you get them off, put some anti seize on the wheel stud to prevent it from seizing.

For the calipers. You will need a metric Allen socket (5mm I think) to remove the lower caliper bolt so you can pivot the calipers up and remove the pads. You will also need a BIG C-clamp (3" or larger) or a piston retractor tool to push in the caliper pistons back; the calipers may not be very big but they're quite thick, and a small C-clamp or a set of channel-lock pliers won't cut it.

hope that helps up out a bit.

kargoboy

Sorry I can't help you, but I'll at least post my sympathies.

MC

when i got my flat yesterday.... it did take an almighty effort to get the rims off

just put that (umm i donno what its called the thing u put into the bolt to take em out)... and u kick the tool down (MAKE SHO CAR IS STILL ON THE GROUND DONT WANT IT TO SKIP OFF THE JACK) takes a bit of effort but it will come off (not a pretty sound too hehe but mine had no damage @ all when it came off)

i had to do that yesterday to get my wheel off when i got a flat..

as for brakes sorry caint help u there

greenmachine

buy new calipers

jster28

WHAT!!!??? He doesn't need new calipers. Take my advise about the bigger c-clamps. Don't buy new caliper like this guys said.

JHew84

jster28, instead of backyard bob-ing it, he should go and get the proper tools, there is a kit made specifically for doing brake jobs, it includes a tool that pushes the piston back to the fully open position, it is only around 10 dollars and is a life saver, works like a charm every time...

and as far as not being able to get the other wheel off, when i doubt, use more torque ... make sure the other rim is back on, and the car is back on the ground, put it in gear and put the e-brake on, if you have wheel chalks, use them, put your breaker bar (any good mechanic has one, you should to ) on the lug, push like a motha, if it doesn't want to budge, find yourself an extension, remember, the longer the lever arm (breaker bar) the more torque you are putting down, the easiest extension most people use is an old section of pipe that fits nicely of the breaker bar, if you get enough extension, breaking the lugs loose should be NO problem whatsoever...

TeamPlayers

Well I just got the job done after 2days. I think everyone got it wrong. My bad for not writing it better but I got the lugs off but couldnt get the rim off..Rubber mallet and alot of anger took care of that problem.
The front pistons were no problem. Got them pushed in with no problem. It was the rears that were giving me most of the problems. Mazda had to be weird and have a set screw right behind the piston that didnt allow the piston to go back. After countless hours and one long-distance call from Belgium to Georgia I fixed it and now she is all good.

Da P-Funk!

Hey kids!
Stuclk by the side of the road?
Stuck wheel?
No mallet?

Remember - you can kick the tires REAL HARD in one spot to break free.

If that didn't work - put the lugs almost all the way on and roll the car a foot or so. That should pop it loose!

TeamPlayers

Damn I didnt even think about that. The mallet was more fun.

JHew84

true, also more dangerous though , i'd get sick to my stomach if i damaged my rims, i hate hurting things like that ...

but ya, we all missed the target on that one , and i guess i didn't think about it, but the brakes on my probe are the same (set screw behind the piston), there is a reason, something like making sure the fluid is always totally full, might not be it but thats all i could bring forth out of my tired/college informationedusedup brain at the moment ...

glad to hear you got it fixed

- James

Da P-Funk!

Remember - the loose/roll/pop was for when you are in the middle of nowhere/flat/can't get the ^%$#%@$ wheel off procedure for the back of your mind...

TeamPlayers

Well I hit the inside of the rim so it wasnt to bad.