MS brake pads install help
 

Hi guys, I just got the MS brake pads today and planning to install it over the weekend. I've a few questions regarding the installation and will appreciate the input, especially from someone who has done it before.

1. For the front pads, it has mentioned about using a special service tool which is on step 6 of the instruction sheet.
"Install the piston using the special service tool, 49 0221 600C"
What exactly does it mean :confused:

2. Similar for the rear pads on step 7.
"Rotate the piston clockwise slowly using the special service tool, 49 F043 002, and push in the piston completely until the piston grooves are in the position shown"

So do you need to get these special tools for the job!? I was under the impression that all you need is a 14mm wrench to loosen the calipers!

3. For the rear brake, do you need to remove the parking brake cable beforehand? I don't recall doing this step for the other cars before. Is it really needed??

4. For both front and back, it has mentioned about these little "guide plates". I presume they're attached to the calipers for the purpose of securing the pads. Do you need to take them out and replace them, and if so how difficult/easy it is to ply them out from the calipers?

5. It has mentioned the using of anti-rattle brake grease (but just for the front?) Where can you get these stuffs? Pep-Boys??

6. Last but not least, it does not mention the proper break-in procedures for these pads. Since they're not strictly track pads, so I presume I just use them as if they are any new regular street pads. And it won't be fully effective until about 100km on them.

Sorry for the long post :p , but I really appreciate any input to these questions. :D

TIA,
Pete

Go to the Stoptech site and check out how to bed your pads....makes a big difference. Don't need any special tools to do pads

Have you tried searching the forums for answers? I don't know how many times I've told newbies to do a simple search before asking questions that have already been answered. However this isn't one of those situations. :D

Without knowing what the tool looks like my offhand guess is it's used to move the piston back into the caliper. You need to do this to increase clearance for the thicker new pads. No idea why you rotate the rear piston. I've used C-clamps or Channellocks for this task.

Yes. Any automotive store should carry it.
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The SST will be a hand-held wrench with a special end on it that engages the piston without gouging it up like pliers will.

You can get Lisle part #28300 at Sears hardware or other stores with that line. It's a very inexpensive piston brake tool that plugs onto the end of a 3/8" socket extension and works just like the Mazda SST.

>You can get Lisle part #28300 at Sears hardware ........
They sell that in the Sears hardware store?? I know you can order that by the part #28300 as you've said, but what are they really call??
Btw, I believe that is only used for the rear brakes only as you have to 'twist and turn' that piston back to its full recess position, which is unlike the front which is a lot more straightforward!

TIA
Pete

28300 is the wrong part #?

Here are the correct tools/pictures from Sears:

Lisle Disc Brake Piston Tool (for the rear pistons)

Craftsman Disc Brake Pad Spreader (for the front pistons)

I've never used these. My c-clamp and needle nose pliers worked fine. No gouging observed.

rx8cited

You should also be able to find the brake piston tool at your local auto parts store. The ones around here all have them.

You do not need to disconnect the parking brake cable to change the rear pads.

The guide plates, at least in my case, stayed in the caliper when I removed the pads. I left them there and simply replaced the pads. I interpreted the instructions to mean, "remove the guide plates, then put them back when installing the pads." Since they never came out I didn't mess with them.

I was able to push the front pistons in with my hands. Your mileage may vary. :)

Mine is about 8 years old and the blister card (don't know why I saved it) definitely says 28300, however it is the same piece pictured in your link as 28600. You had me worried I couldn't remember 5 digits going from the garage to the 'puter.

You did scratch out the old # and write the new # on the blister card, right? :D.

rx8cited

#28600 may be an updated model with newer patterns than #28300?! Btw, did you actually use the tool on the RX-8 before? I realize a few manufacturers making similar tool but they all have slightly different patterns from each other so they may fit different brake piston patterns.

Truthfully I've not had occasion to try my brake tool on the RX-8. Bought it for my 3rd gen and 'ASSumed' that Mazda wouldn't radically change patterns on its rear caliper pistons from one model to another.

Just to be completely done with this I went to Lisle Corp's site and 28300 is not a current part #. A search on 28600 brought up the little cube tool.

So #28600 fits the RX-7? And where can you buy the Lisle tools, PepBoys, AutoZone etc??

Thanks :-)