How to Replace the Disc Brakes on a Mazda Protege
- 1). Park the Protege on a flat surface and turn the engine off. Put the transmission in "park." Pull the hood release lever under the dashboard on the driver's side of the car. Move to the front of the Mazda.
- 2). Lift the hood and remove the master cylinder cap. Place a shop rag over the reservoir to catch any overflowing brake fluid.
- 3). Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels with a lug wrench. Place a jack under the frame and lift the car's tires from the ground. Rest the axles on jack stands for support. Remove the lugs and take the wheels off.
- 4). Place a flat screwdriver into the opening at the outer surface of the brake caliper. Wedge the screwdriver against the side of the opening and force the caliper piston into the side of the caliper. Remove the screwdriver once the piston is fully depressed within the side of the caliper.
- 5). Remove the two caliper slide bolts from the back of the caliper with the 13 mm wrench. Lift the caliper from the brake pads and caliper bracket and suspend it from the steering arm with a wire coat hanger or bungee cord.
- 6). Remove the brake pads from either side of the brake rotor. The pads rest inside the slots of the caliper bracket and can be removed by hand. Remove the two caliper bracket bolts with a 15 mm wrench. Lift the bracket away from the rotor and set it aside.
- 7). Pull the rotor straight from the wheel hub by hand. Use a hammer to strike the center of the disc if you are unable to remove it easily.
- 8). Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove the packing oil that coats the surface during shipping. Place the new rotor onto the wheel bolts. Replace the caliper bracket and bracket bolts. Slide the new brake pads into the slots on either side of the rotor.
- 9). Place the caliper onto the new brake pads and screw in the caliper bolts by hand. Tighten both bolts with the 13 mm wrench. Place the wheel onto the wheel bolts and screw on the lug nuts. Lift the Mazda and remove the jack stands. Lower the tires to the ground and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
- 10
Repeat steps 3 through 9 for any additional sets of brakes that require replacement. Return to the engine compartment. Remove the shop rag and check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir. Place a funnel into the container and add fluid as necessary. Remove the funnel and secure the master cylinder cap. Close the Protege's hood.