How do you change the front brake pads on a Mazda rx8?

Answer 1

Block the rear tires, loosen lug nuts, raise vehicle set on jack stands. Remove wheel, remove the two bolts attaching the brake caliper to the steering knuckle (very obvious, only two bolts on the caliper), use a piece of metal from a clothes hager to hang the caliper in the wheel well. I use the spring on my shock, this is so your caliper is not hanging by the brake line. Remove the two old pads, clean then remove your brake fluid resevior cap, under the hood drivers side. Now use a brake caliper spreader to press the piston back into the caliper. You may also use one of the old pads resting against the piston and a C-clamp to squeeze the piston into the caliper. Now clean your caliper with a rag, apply a VERY small amount of brake caliper lubricant on the piston ring and where the pad rests on the opposite side to the piston. If you look at your old pads you can tell where they rubbed. Install your new pads, most have an inside pad and an outside pad. If not sure check the other brake that is still together. Pull out the two slider pins from your steering knuckle, clean lube, replace. Slide the caliper with the new pads onto the rotor, if you get close and it won't go, check to be sure the slider pins are pushed in all the way. Line up bolt holes, bolt together, use a torque wrench, or tighten well but do not over tighten. I use liquid thread locker to ensure the bolts stay put. Repeat on opposite side, reinspect ensuring bolts are tight replace brake fluid resevior lid, turn key pump brakes inspect, make sure top edge of pads are in line with rotors. Replace wheels, check lug nuts after a few miles of driving.