Rear brakes

[almitch1]

Hi all,

Is it possible that with the rear brakes and hand brake that these to rub an size? The reason I ask is the car needs to to revved fairly hard to pull away, or May there be another issue or is that just the way the car is?

Thanks

[shnazzle]

Hi all,

Is it possible that with the rear brakes and hand brake that these to rub an size? The reason I ask is the car needs to to revved fairly hard to pull away, or May there be another issue or is that just the way the car is?

Thanks

Welcome to one of the MR2's (and Yaris and everything else with the same brakes) biggest issues.


Yes, the brakes are prone to seizing, as are the handbrake cables. It's much like the engine; service regularly and it will last a lot longer.

The sliders on the carriers tend to rust into the calipers making them stick and cause the pads to rest against the discs. Slows you down as well

Handbrake cables can get water in the covering and have the same effect. But the handbrake mechanism on the calipers themselves can also seize. For the most part it can all be freed up with a bit of effort.

You can do quite a lot of un-seizing without anything drastic on the front but the rears is much easier as a "off the car".

Callipers and carriers off the car, handbrake cable disconnected from calipers, spray lots of wd40 into cable and let it run up, then drain out. Finish by spraying grease in.
Caliper is a case of lot of filing, sanding, emery paper, and grease. Makes a huge difference to operation.

Alternatively... Fresh set of rear calipers. They're not that expensive.

Replacing handbrake cables is a bit of a pain as it requires dropping thr fuel tank a bit

[Topdownman]

As you have just bought the car, could it be that the previous owner overtightened the adjuster (under the centre console) to make the handbrake work but have gone too far? (Probably fairly common as its hard to get the hb to work well!).

Have you jacked up the rear of the car and turned the wheels with the handbrake off?

Does this happen every time or just the first time in the morning as if its just the first time, it might just be the pads sticking/rusting to the discs and so not much of an issue? Every time would mean something is wrong though.

[Carolyn]

You can narrow it down by going for a drive, stopping and feeling the centres of the wheels.  Any that  are warm are dragging.

Lubricating the sliders is always a good place to start.  Use 'Ceratec' grease. Ordinary grease rots the rubbers and copper-slip goes hard, so best to use the proper stuff.

[Gaz mr-s]

The clevis pins at the handbrake ends can rust-up but can be replaced with stainless off ebay.  The rubber bellows on the cable ends disintegrate with age & allow water & crud to travel down from the high-point. If they will still just move by push-pulling the inner cable you might be able to save them by dropping the rears to the ground & using 3 in 1 oil from the inside...disconnect & get the ends vertical....but it is a slow process.  And fit these. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGF-MG-TF-Gear-Cable-Change-Rubber-End-Gaiters-NEW-PAIR-A-GENUINE-UK-COMPANY/113230491760?hash=item1a5d103070:g:SnkAAMXQUmFSphV6

[1979scotte]

You can narrow it down by going for a drive, stopping and feeling the centres of the wheels.  Any that  are warm are dragging.

Lubricating the sliders is always a good place to start.  Use 'Ceratec' grease. Ordinary grease rots the rubbers and copper-slip goes hard, so best to use the proper stuff.

100% use ceratec the trouble I had on a previous 2 after copper slip was used and turned into glue.

[shnazzle]

Just as a warning;

If your brakes are in this condition; please don't take @1979scotte out for a drive in your MR2. He has a tendency to set your brakes alight

[1979scotte]

Just as a warning;

If your brakes are in this condition; please don't take @1979scotte out for a drive in your MR2. He has a tendency to set your brakes alight

Some Dutch bloke was driving not me. 🖕

[shnazzle]

Just as a warning;

If your brakes are in this condition; please don't take @1979scotte out for a drive in your MR2. He has a tendency to set your brakes alight

Some Dutch bloke was driving not me. 🖕

haha I'll hold my hand up to that... I was driving. Never seen brake pads smoke as much for so long after "normal" use.


Good times...

[Gaz mr-s]

You Dutch do have a reputation for smoking things, so par for the course, no?   :-))