Handbrake caliper mystery

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Mickaleen59
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Handbrake caliper mystery

Post by Mickaleen59 » Thu Apr 11, 2019 9:06 pm

As above, Probe (1994 16v) failed NCT (MOT equivalent) on handbrake imbalance (88%)
Took off RHR calliper to find adjuster inside minced so got replacement calliper but when fitted it was no better.
Looked at LHR calliper to find it doesn't have an internal adjuster so mechanic said the one on the right maybe shouldn't have an internal adjuster either. Could this be the case?
Also, the RH cable isn't releasing properly either and he says that was probably what caused all the problems in the first place.
Are the Probe handbrake cables the same as the MX6 and 626? Reason why I'm asking this is that most times when I go to a parts place here they've never heard of a Probe but mention a 626 and there's no problem then finding parts😃

cpt black
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Re: Handbrake caliper mystery

Post by cpt black » Fri Apr 12, 2019 5:17 am

There should be an adjuster on both calipers,suspect one was just missing on the LHR
Use the adjuster from your new caliper to set up LHR
The cables are the same as the MX6 if you change the cables also do the small hand brake
lever cable

jrh
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Re: Handbrake caliper mystery

Post by jrh » Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:20 am

The Gold Award for fiendishly clever handbrake caliper adjustment must go to the Probe design.
Even getting them apart to component parts is worthy of respect.
However, the design flaw is fatal and really, no amount of cleaning will permanently correct it.
Bit surprised about your finding the mechanism 'minced' though.

Mickaleen59
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Re: Handbrake caliper mystery

Post by Mickaleen59 » Fri Apr 12, 2019 9:08 am

Mechanic said there is no adjuster mechanism on the LHR caliper as in, no bolt removal with adjuster inside, so he rekons the RHR should be the same?
Has anyone ever heard tell of that before.
So we should replace the 3 cables as well?

fuerte
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Re: Handbrake caliper mystery

Post by fuerte » Fri Apr 12, 2019 11:40 am

Correct me if I am wrong but due to rear caliper problems I was advised to park car in gear with handbrake off.

Mickaleen59
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Re: Handbrake caliper mystery

Post by Mickaleen59 » Fri Apr 12, 2019 2:17 pm

Yeah I always leave handbrake off unless absolutely necessary i.e taking off on a hill

Kit
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Re: Handbrake caliper mystery

Post by Kit » Fri Apr 12, 2019 3:06 pm

Mickaleen59 wrote:
Fri Apr 12, 2019 9:08 am
Mechanic said there is no adjuster mechanism on the LHR caliper as in, no bolt removal with adjuster inside, so he rekons the RHR should be the same?
Has anyone ever heard tell of that before.
So we should replace the 3 cables as well?
This might be a late Mazda 626 Caliper, as I found on the 626 once had - that had no adjuster& the pad were different !!!!

Kit

fuerte
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Re: Handbrake caliper mystery

Post by fuerte » Fri Apr 12, 2019 3:30 pm

Mickaleen59 wrote:
Fri Apr 12, 2019 2:17 pm
Yeah I always leave handbrake off unless absolutely necessary i.e taking off on a hill
Thats made me laugh.I am imagining some crazy handbrake trick to make the car fly off the top of a hill.lost the plot!!!

Mickaleen59
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Re: Handbrake caliper mystery

Post by Mickaleen59 » Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:19 pm

fuerte wrote:
Fri Apr 12, 2019 3:30 pm
Mickaleen59 wrote:
Fri Apr 12, 2019 2:17 pm
Yeah I always leave handbrake off unless absolutely necessary i.e taking off on a hill
Thats made me laugh.I am imagining some crazy handbrake trick to make the car fly off the top of a hill.lost the plot!!!
Need the sunroof open for that, but can't get my hands on an ejector seat :lol: :lol: :lol:

Mickaleen59
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Re: Handbrake caliper mystery

Post by Mickaleen59 » Fri Apr 19, 2019 8:10 pm

Ordered 3 handbrake cables for the Probe they are "Japanparts BC 300 and BC301" for left and right.and "Firstline FKB 1728" for the centre cable.
When mechanic went to fit them he said they were the wrong cables, the ones on the car has different fittings he says. The thing is, when I look up the part numbers on the Japanparts website it says those cables suit all year Probes and Mazda mx6 and 626's and Xedos.
I've looked up lots of other brand names on eBay etc and they all look the same as the Japanparts cables, there doesn't seem to be any others with different fittings!!!
Question is, has anyone come across this situation before and is there any variations of fittings?
All ideas, solutions etc welcome please.

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