Driver side rear caliper - Ruined threads on piston's sleeve. What to do?
 

While doing my brake pads today, I couldn't get the driver side rear brake piston to compress into the cylinder. After further inspection and taking apart the assembly, I discovered that the piston has a threaded sleeve, and about 1/4inch of the initial threads are completely ruined. The stud in the cylinder itself is scratched, but seems usable.

I posted in ASH8's parts number thread and according to him, I cannot get the sleeve directly from Mazda and I would have to get the whole caliper for $304. I would much rather replace the sleeve and finally call it a day. Where can I purchase something to get the job done?


(attached photo of the piston and the thread sleeve)
*PLEASE CLICK THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE. THE RESOLUTION IS VERY HIGH*

I would look for a used caliper in a wrecking yard.

like Easy said, a used one from Junk yard should cost you very little.

You can buy rebuilt calipers online for far less than that amount.

My friend was able to tap the thread out at the end and seat the piston into the cylinder. For now it seems like a temporary fix since the piston most likely won't extend itself beyond the ruined threads with the new pads. We will be finishing up on the brake job and see if it works.

Still looking for suggestions, but I will start hunting for a used caliper.

the rear piston is a screw in type right, and you tried to press it in?

That's only the rubber grommets and seals. Not the threaded sleeve that screws into the stud inside the cylinder.


Tried screwing it and didn't work. Tried to press it with a C clamp and that didn't work either. Gave up and took the thing apart.

On the subject of junkyards, I visited one a long time ago but didn't go in. I remember they didn't have a list of the cars in the junkyard so I couldn't even be sure they had an RX8 in there BUT I was required to pay first to get in. So I didn't go in.

Are all junkyards like this? Will some junkyards tell you if they have an RX8 in there before you pay to go in?

Been a long time since I prowled junkyards, but I never encountered "pay to enter." Have yuppies discovered junkyards, and have the yard operators figured out how to milk them?

In my used part scrounging days, yards might not let you in to pick parts yourself, unless they know you, or unless you at least look like you know what you're doing. And at every yard I've ever been to the guys up front knew what they had.

Ken

Good junk yards have a complete listing and are internet connected and sell parts throughout the country.

Junk yard is your friend....

But the dog isn't.

How did you go with this??

Some have suggested "other" brands or makes of Rear Calipers assemblies sold on-line, if you have to go this way I suggest you renew Both Sides as you could need a different designed pad and piston design may be different, and then there may be 'other' issues with another design Caliper?? ..

I would definitely try a junk yard, or if you think the thread tapping your friend did was OK then OK....Frankly I never Compromise on Brakes...what is more costly $300 bucks or the worst thing that could go wrong?

Sorry man, I am not lecturing you..I just do not like fiddling with brakes.:)

BTW: NO other Mazda USES this Caliper, it is RX-8 exclusive.

press in 100% won't work.

You should just try Junk yard ... there are a lot in the Ridgewood area.

The next time you mess with a piston of any kind, don't let it know your identity here.

Ken