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Comments
One technical question: Is drum design on the Protege allows the auto-adjustment when the pads slowly worn out?
Bruno
If someone else will do the work, I'd stay away from Sears.
Although the way I heard it, you have to hit the brakes rather assertively while you're in reverse in order for them to adjust.
If I get a chance, I'm going to drop by and have a look at them. I'll report back to you all about what I think.
If we're really lucky, we'll scan them when he's distracted and then I'll have something interesting to post for a change.
Looking forward to the pics.
I've had that happen in traffic -- alarming!!
If the peddle goes all the way to the floor and no braking takes place -- it's no fluid.
fowler3
What happend was that the rotor spliced the caliper from being so worn (that's what the mechanic told me anyway). I had to get new pads, new rotors, new brake hoses (they were wearing, the guy said), and a new caliper. Since I was a asst. fleet manager then and had a shop for all the cars, they only charged me $250 for everything. From then on, I get my brakes checked at EVERY oil change...
Bruno
Also, how does the 100W split up? 25Wx2 + 15Wx2 + 10Wx2? Just wondering if anyone knew.
Should we debate disc/drum? Just kidding. However, rear disc has auto adjust for the parking brake. Otherwise, the way a caliper slides on its mount means that it requires no adjustment.
fowler3
Now, I checked the brake fluid yesterday and it was at its designated level.
I am not experiencing brake fade, but rather slow braking from the beginning. I mean it's not bad, but it's not like it used to be. I suspect that with 30.000 miles on it so far, it's time for a replacement. My cousin's Z24 had to have its pads changed at 30.000 miles too just 1 mth ago. His is 5spd, but we both drive similarily - don;t ride brakes, just apply them when really necessary.
As for the rear drums, should I back it up and slam on the brakes? Mazdafun's advise seems contradictory - although I highly doubt my rotors are gone.
Dinu
all that wet snow froze on my PRO by yesterday morning, so....
someone had the pleasure of scrapping ice of windows for 10+ mins in cold, windy, but VERY sunny weather.
I have chunks on ice "glued" (frozen on) to the sheetmetal. You should see the cars here - they're like moving 4-wheels igloos
Dinu
PS: Yes, Canadians still live in igloos
As Fowler said, it has to be a firm application of the brakes.
At the very least, give it a try, and see what you think. You've got nothing to lose.
Dale: Guess I'll try that thing - if I can only find a place w/no ice (definitely not parking lots!)
Dinu
Dinu, did you put winter tires on? I forget
I found out my insurance will decrease by 5% if I get a security alarm, so now I need to look into buying one of those for both our vehicles. Has anyone installed the Mazda alarm on their Protege? Any idea how difficult it is?
For the next car, I'll probably get something else - some touring/summer low profile tires for summer and 4 snows: it will be my first winter driving a 5spd full time.
When we had the 94 5spd SL1 a few years ago, it had 4 snow tires with HUGE grooves and it was a beauty to drive in snow, but I only drove that car occasionally - I had the Tercel and Civic for me.
Dinu
They got the best reviews on Tire Rack, but I prefer the Michelin X-Ones. These tires (Yoko Avid T) don't wear off - so if they don't wear off, they don't work, rite?
Dinu
Bruno
j/k
I'm a big fan of x-ones too. I have a set and love em.
Bruno
temperature makes a big difference on how sticky the tires get...
running side by side, the MP3 will dominate a stock Protege/Protege5 any day.
As for the alarm system, it would eventually pay for itself. We plan to keep this car for a long time. I wouldn't get one just for the sake of saving a few bucks on my insurance. I have been wanting to get one for our vehicles for a while, but it was hard to justify the cost. Now, it is less difficult.
I never said that you said the P5 was better than the MP3. Bruno said that.
And there is definitely a healthy margin in handling performance between the two.
edit: Malt beat me to it.
The P5 didn't beat the MP3, not even once. They were never put head to head in a comparison. They were tested on different days and maybe different tracks with different drivers. Test them at the same time and if the P5 puts up better numbers than the MP3, then and ONLY then can you say that the P5 beat the MP3.
You have every right to say "P5 didn't beat MP3, not even once", but I also have the right to say "with a little bit of favorite conditions, P5 can beat MP3". But never mind, it's just the wording.
Bruno
"with a little bit of favorite conditions, P5 can beat MP3".
Huh? Favorable conditions? What conditions would be favorable to the P5 and not the MP3?
change of atmospheric condition for example, better driver, or whatever creates a greater slalom speed for the P5 vs MP3 given in the C&D article.
OK Todd, you win: P5 can never beat MP3.
Bruno