1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Please help with brake work.

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Old 10-17-14 | 07:53 PM
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Please help with brake work.

Hi guys i really need some help here i am trying to remove my caliber to get to the brake pads and rotors but for the life of me i can't get how to remove it i have a 79 rx7 shop manual and Haynes manual both saying to remove the clips which i did and remove the stopper plates which i can't find. It says to remove the hose to get to the bolt i am trying but all it is doing is twisting the hose with it i don't what to break something what am i doing wrong? Thank you for the help!
Old 10-17-14 | 07:57 PM
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So, it is a 79 right?
Old 10-17-14 | 07:59 PM
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Yes
Old 10-17-14 | 08:03 PM
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If it is the stopper plates are basically shims located one at the bottom and one at the top of the caliper that "jam" it into the caliper bracket. The clips you removed are located in the shims. After you get the clips out you can take a small chisel ar a screw driver and a hammer and gently tap the stoppers out of position. Now the calipers are loose and will come out easily. You do not have to take off the brake line, support the calipers with a piece of coat hanger so they dont hang on the brake lines. Then the caliper brackets come off by loosening two the bolts that bolt them to the strut. They are behind the backing plate.
Old 10-17-14 | 08:06 PM
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These brake caliper assemblies are the most stupid ones I have ever seen on a car. They changed the design in 80 to make them more user friendly. the first time you deal with them is really a pain, once you figure them out, they are still a pain!
Old 10-17-14 | 08:08 PM
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Okay great thank you i got the stoppers out but the caliper is still stuck on there should i try to hammer it out?
Old 10-17-14 | 08:11 PM
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No. If you pick it up and position it just so the bottom will swing out of the bracket.
Old 10-17-14 | 08:13 PM
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You may have to wrestle with it to get it postioned just so , but it will not take any force. Dont force it.
Old 10-17-14 | 08:13 PM
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Do i have to remove the two bigger pins to besides the small ones?
Old 10-17-14 | 08:14 PM
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It should be loose enough to move around within the bracket just a little.
Old 10-17-14 | 08:16 PM
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The only pin like piece will be the clips the keep the stoppers (I think the book calls them wedges) from working their way out.
Old 10-17-14 | 08:18 PM
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Yes i took those out and the stoppers but there are two bigger pins going into the caliber and pinching both ends of the calibers. It still won't move with the stoppers out.
Old 10-17-14 | 08:24 PM
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I am working from memory, I ditched these brakes a long time ago, but Im thinking the pins you mention that are pinching the calipers work like springs, see if you can lift he caliper up against the top one and gain enough clearance to swing the caliper out.
Old 10-17-14 | 08:29 PM
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It won't move maybe a tiny bit but i can't get it to do anything the pics show in the manual the pins are still on it when they remove it.
Old 10-17-14 | 08:35 PM
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Here is a link to a thread I did about upgrading my brakes ,

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...twist-1029145/ look about halfway down page 1 and fing a pic of the old caliper and brackets. You can see the what I think you are referring to. In the pic they are the silver wire things that I call springs. If they are what you are talking about then yea, you can lift the caliper up against the top on and swing the opposite one out of the bracket.
Old 10-17-14 | 08:39 PM
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yes those i tried to push up against it again and again and nothing it will move but not enough to take it out of the slot
Old 10-17-14 | 08:42 PM
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Wow finally got it when i pushed everything i had against it but when i did a flat disc the shape of the brake pads fell off is that anything important?
Old 10-17-14 | 09:06 PM
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Okay i got how to do everything but how to take off the caliber bracket to get to the rotors to i got the top bolt off but how do you reach the bottom bolt when the lower control arm is in the way thank you!
Old 10-18-14 | 08:35 PM
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bump my manual says i need to use the box end of a wrench to get in there but for the life of me there is not enough room to work with it says to use a screwdriver with it to move it a little at a time but the screwdriver does nothing is there a trick or something i am missing i have been trying at this stupid bolt forever i can't believe they only give you that much room to work with thank you.
Old 10-18-14 | 08:47 PM
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You may have to grind the wrench down a little to get it to fit.
Old 10-18-14 | 08:54 PM
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I don't know if that will work it kinda fits but the wrench is flat so it won't go around the bolt all the way only half.
Old 10-18-14 | 09:03 PM
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I also like to use 6 point wrenches in a tight space. It's way to easy to round the bolt with a 12 point wrench.
Old 10-18-14 | 09:08 PM
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They look the same as the wrenches i have doesn't look like it will give me more room to fit in there.
Old 10-19-14 | 12:07 AM
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Old 10-19-14 | 10:19 AM
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idk what happened to my post but here i go again. On the LCA, loosen the front 17mm bolt and unbolt the rear so you can turn the whole assembly outward to access the caliper bracket lower 14mm bolt


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