Hello ... Just discovered this group. I own a 1990 Miata, purchased Feb
91. I've put 150,000 km on it so far without a problem. ....Except...
I've had to get the rear brake pads replaced 3 times due to their
wearing wedge shaped. ...One end of the pad would be full thickness; the
other end would wear right down to the metal. ...This condition only
takes place on the rear brakes, but with both sides (Ie: on both wheels)
the wear is identical. ....The area service mechanic came up with the
brilliant idea that I was driving around holding the emergency brake on
??!! ...Geez, I'm a little past that stage (if some kooky individuals
actually go through that)...Heck I even purchased my Miata with an auto.
Trans. ...Any help would be appreciated. ...They said there was
nothing wrong with the emergency brake adjustment, plus I've never been
an aggressive braker. ...Thanks Jon
I pulled my wheels several years ago when my '91 B had 80,000 miles
on it, figuring that with the mileage, it would need brake shoes. I found
the front pads with about 3mm uniform thickness, but the back pads were
worn down to the metal on the bottom edge, with about 3mm thickness on the
top edge. I thought it rather odd, but did notice the rear pads did not
have the spring clips installed like the front brakes (I had bought the car
new in '91, and knew no one had touched the brakes).
I installed new pads on front and rear, and installed the spring
clips provided with the pads. I suspected the lack of clips on the rear
pads caused the uneven wear, but I have not checked my pads since then.
Did your pads have the clips installed? Rod
> Hello ... Just discovered this group. I own a 1990 Miata, purchased Feb
> 91. I've put 150,000 km on it so far without a problem. ....Except...
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> nothing wrong with the emergency brake adjustment, plus I've never been
> an aggressive braker. ...Thanks Jon
wueys - 01 May 2004 13:55 GMT
I second the spring clip theory. Go to page 6 of my site here and note the
position of the spring clip:
http://www.cardomain.com/id/wueys
> I pulled my wheels several years ago when my '91 B had 80,000 miles
> on it, figuring that with the mileage, it would need brake shoes. I found
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> > nothing wrong with the emergency brake adjustment, plus I've never been
> > an aggressive braker. ...Thanks Jon
Johnny1000@webtv.net - 01 May 2004 15:39 GMT
Sorry, Rod... Couldn't tell you about the clips. ...I took my Miata to
the shop assuming the "trained" Mazda mechanic knew what he was doing.
..They kept harping about lubricating and thus keeping the emergency
brake operational. They felt this was where the problem lay. ---I never
use it, as the winters here can be long and cold. I've heard horror
stories from those who have.
Ironically, I took my Miata for new tires a few months ago. I figured
it's probably time to change the pads -- again. ...He said they were
fine. Perhaps the clips were the problem, but the dealarship didn't
want to admit to the previous screw-ups. They just quietly slipped the
springs in. ...Jon
Chris D'Agnolo - 03 May 2004 17:50 GMT
That may be possible, avoiding admitting any guilt!
I don't think that the hand brake holds the pads tight to the disk unevenly
anyway, do they?
Chris
92BB&T
> Sorry, Rod... Couldn't tell you about the clips. ...I took my Miata to
> the shop assuming the "trained" Mazda mechanic knew what he was doing.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> want to admit to the previous screw-ups. They just quietly slipped the
> springs in. ...Jon