Miata Mailing List: November 1997, Message #304
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From: 	Arlyn Strano <Arlyn@ncentral.com>

Subject: Re: What are "sliders?"

Date: 	Mon, 3 Nov 1997 11:44:21 +0000



 

>

>Had car towed to mechanics.  They said it was the slider(s)?

>"Easy Fix.  No explanation as to why it would have occurred

>on a 7 month old '97 M."



You did the smart thing.

>

>What is a slider?  Any one ever had a similar problem?

>Any idea why one (more?) would do whatever they were doing

>to make that G-awful sound?



The Miata like many cars today come equiped with floating calipers.  This

means the caliper has one piston on have the caliper  and a floating or

sliding assembly on the other half.  When you step on the brake pedal fluid

is pushed to the calipers.  The hydraulic pressure exerts pressure on the

piston and in turn the brake pad.  This pressure forces the sliding or

floating side to be pulled to the rotor and since the pad is between the

floating assemblly and the rotor,  the pad on that side comes in contact

with the rotor. 



When the sliding shims become frozen the pistion side is working and the

floater remains fixed.  If it is fixed while making contact with the rotor

over a short period of time you will ruin the rotor and that pad.  If it is

fixed away from the rotor than you will have less braking on that wheel and

only  the active pad will wear out 



I hope I didn't make this sound too simple and insult anyones mechanical

knowledge but, for those who have no idea  you need to start with the basics.  



Liz if you still have any questions, feel free to call me..





Arlyn

Strano Performance Parts

888 9STRANO