NB2 rear caliper rattle
#2
Duralast Brake Disc Hardware Kit - Rear H5887 - Read Reviews on Duralast #H5887
If it's the same rattle I had without these pieces, these have been on my car for 4 years or so now.
If it's the same rattle I had without these pieces, these have been on my car for 4 years or so now.
#3
Thread Starter
Boost Pope
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From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Reviving this thread, as the situation is starting to make me crazy...
Knowledge I've learned:
Most later-model NBs came equipped from the factory with "sport" rear brakes. These calipers do not support the use of the M-shaped springs or anti-rattle clips. So that's why they were missing from my car.
I replaced the pads back in August or so, also replaced the slider pins / bolts. No improvement. The whole caliper can still be wiggled side to side on the pins.
It seems clear that the bores in the caliper which slide along the pins have become enlarged / elongated.
It doesn't seem to be possible to purchase a brand new rear caliper for this car. Even Priority Mazda only has rebuilds. I'm assuming that these holes don't get drilled out and re-bushed during a typical rebuild.
Searching both here and the other forum revels that a lot of folks have experienced this nuisance, but I see no evidence that anyone has actually solved it.
Seriously, it's embarrassing to hear my car rattle like a 70's vintage Chrysler every time I drive over rough pavement, which, here in Chicago, is about 90% of it.
Knowledge I've learned:
Most later-model NBs came equipped from the factory with "sport" rear brakes. These calipers do not support the use of the M-shaped springs or anti-rattle clips. So that's why they were missing from my car.
I replaced the pads back in August or so, also replaced the slider pins / bolts. No improvement. The whole caliper can still be wiggled side to side on the pins.
It seems clear that the bores in the caliper which slide along the pins have become enlarged / elongated.
It doesn't seem to be possible to purchase a brand new rear caliper for this car. Even Priority Mazda only has rebuilds. I'm assuming that these holes don't get drilled out and re-bushed during a typical rebuild.
Searching both here and the other forum revels that a lot of folks have experienced this nuisance, but I see no evidence that anyone has actually solved it.
Seriously, it's embarrassing to hear my car rattle like a 70's vintage Chrysler every time I drive over rough pavement, which, here in Chicago, is about 90% of it.
#6
Amazon tells me i bought both those Centric kits. Neither actually fit. There's thread upon thread out there of people trying to find those kits that fit with sport brakes. Even the ones you get through Mazda Motorsports don't fit unless you modify them and cut about half of each clip off.
What i have found, is that the kits that Stoptech is sending with their pads, fit great. What i have not found, is how to buy those separately.
What i have found, is that the kits that Stoptech is sending with their pads, fit great. What i have not found, is how to buy those separately.
#7
Thread Starter
Boost Pope
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From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
2003+ so sport brake
Front: Centric Parts 117.45036 Brake Disc Hardware
Back: Centric (117.45040) Disc Brake Hardware Kit
Front: Centric Parts 117.45036 Brake Disc Hardware
Back: Centric (117.45040) Disc Brake Hardware Kit
What I found out from the folks at Rosenthal before they folded is that there were two possible brake packages on the late NBs. The "standard" brakes (which use those clips on the rear) and the "sport" brakes, which do not.
Because of all of the "special edition" cars that Mazda was pumping out towards the end of the NB production run, the vast majority of late NBs got fitted with what we'd otherwise consider to be LS or MSM brakes. My car, for example, was an "Azure Blue Sunlight" car, meaning that like an LS, it had leather seats, a cloth top, 16" wheels, and all of the "convenience" accessories, but otherwise none of the "serious" hardware you'd find on an LS. (5 speed, open diff, etc)
Except the damn brakes.
As a result of this confusion, it's damn near impossible to trust the online parts catalogs on the '01-'05 non-MSM / non-LS cars when it comes to brake hardware.
The scary thing is that I found out during my adventure that the "standard" pads will in fact drop into the "sport" calipers, though they're loose as hell. Makes me wonder how many cars are driving around with this combination.
#9
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Boost Pope
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From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Obviously they need to support the stock parking brake.
#14
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Boost Pope
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From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
I really don't have confidence that caliper clips are going to solve the problem of loose calipers. Ideally, I'd like to find a place that'll sell me two brand new calipers which fit with the stock "sport" rotor (hell, I'll even downgrade to the "base" rotor) and the stock 16" twisted-starfish wheel.
#16
Find a local machining place. Call them, ask to speak to a supervisor. Bring donuts and parts for show and tell. Ask for a "government job price" (this means someone is going to do it on their own time for cash).
Or ship parts to someone you know that does this kind of thing.
#18
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Boost Pope
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From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
If I drag the hand-brake lightly while going over bumps, the noise vanishes completely. As soon as I release the brake, it comes right back. This proves to me that the calipers are at fault, and not anything in the suspension / exhaust / etc.
Oh, god. Don't remind me of that experience.