Hi:
bought my RX8 4 weeks ago, for the last couple of weeks I've noticed a slight squeal during moderate braking for stop signs. checking all 4 brakes visually, there's a very noticeable score mark around the driver's rear brake rotor. I'm thinking maybe there's something on the pad that might be stuck and causing the noise/wear. So I want to pull off the rear caliper to check....what size and type of socket/etc. do I need to pull the rear calipers off??
thanks in advance. I hope the pad/rotors aren't damaged permanently!
p.s. I did try to search the archives on this topic first!

 

I believe it is just 2 14 mm bolts. I have used just a socket wrench to remove the calipers. It was really easy.

 

You should have a torque wrench to put them back on with...brakes are one area that need to be torqued to specs so they don't loosen and cause brake failure

 

you should bring it back to the dealer and ask them whats wrong with it. i use to have that problem with mine after 3 months after i bought it. there was a squeeking noise whenever i brake. so i made an appointment with them and brought it in for a check up. they did a test drive and found out that my disk needed to be resurfaced. so they did that under warranty with no charge because they know that the brakes dont run out that quickly.

 

silver, u beat my post by like 2 seconds. i was gonna say the same thing. take it to the dealer. there are TSB's like theres no tomorrow about mazda models and brake noise. hello, mazda3>?????????

dealer+warranty= free

 

I wonder if the dealer will do anything about it though if you've ALREADY gotten that TSB dealt with and the squeal comes back. The squeal came back on mine and it's damn loud on the left now.

 

There is only ONE Brake TSB on the RX-8 and that has to do with the fronts NOT the rears and the fix is just a pad swap to reduce noise. Also I want to confirm the bolts are 14mm and the torque specs are in the photo. You will also need to remove the parking brake cable, that is held in by clips.

Dealer + warranty= free

Dealer + Quality work =???????????

 

haha..true about the brake noise because i traded my 04 silver rx8 for and 05 white rx8 and the noise was still there so instead of even bother bringing it back..i bought cross drilled slotted brake disks to replace it. now it works way better than stock and the noise never came back.

 

"...about mazda models and brake noise. hello, mazda3"


i didnt say a bunch for the 8, i said a bunch total for mazdas in general. which implied that the brake issue is common and it can be taken care of. also, if the car is under warranty, the work is free. whether it is quality or not, is up to the technician working on it. silver has the answer, replace stock with aftermarket and be done with it!!!!!!

 

Thanks, I should have a 14mm socket in my set. also a torque wrench. I assume the first line of numbers in your photo is the "Ft-Lbs." one... e.g. 25.x-31.x for what looks like the main caliper bolts?

Thanks also for the advices about asking the dealer to do warranty work. I won't hesitate to do so, it's just that I don't think I'll have time in my schedule to take it to the dealer this coming week. so might as well get at the caliper one of these evenings and see for myself if there's something obvious going on.

 

The first line is Newton , Ft Lbs is the last range of numbers.