Miata Mailing List: November 1998, Message #425

sponsored by

I installed a set of Baer Claw Sport brakes on my 1990 this weekend.  I'm
still in the process of seasoning the rotors, so I can't be too hard on
them.  These are my inital impressions only.

Information: The kit consists of PBR 2-piston calipers (same ones used on
the last 'Vette and the current Mustang Cobra), 12.5" Kelsey-Hayes rotors
(1.1" thick and vented), smooth
SS lines and all necessary mounting parts for $875.  Nickel plating,
cross-drilling and slotting are about $60 each.  You can also get other
options such as the Baer logo on the caliper and slots in the shape of
little Baer Claw logos.  Baer can be seen online at http://www.baer.com .
My setup is the same as the one pictured at
http://www.baer.com/images/logocal1.gif .

Completeness of kit:  The only item not included is brake fluid.  All the
parts are well packaged and complete, with the pads already installed in
the calipers.  The installation instructions are labelled "Temporary", with
a date of 2/98.  I was surprised at this, as 9 months seems a long time for
temporary instructions.  They appear to be complete, but an Enthusiast's
Manual comes in very handy with Miata-specific details and diagrams.  Also
included were instructions on seasoning the rotors and bedding the pads.
These were quite detailed.

Installation impressions:  The front brake discs on an 8-year-old Miata are
pretty well glued on there, but I was able to pop them free using a bolt in
the threaded hole provided for this purpose.  The bolt I used was actually
a scrap one from my dead Wankel :)  All the parts fit perfectly, with only
a small adjustment necessary to ensure the brake lines were not fouling
anywhere.  This is tricky to check with the car on the ground due to the
lack of clearance, but a necessary step.

The only problem with the installation was the odd assortment of bolt
sizes.  The calipers are attached to the adaptors with 18 mm bolts.  I had
to visit three hardware stores before I was able to track down an 18 mm
socket.  Surely a 17 mm bolt would have been just as effective?  Elsewhere,
a 16 mm nut was used on a 17 mm bolt.  Some standardization would ease the
installation.  The rest of the Miata can be field-stripped using 10, 12,
14, and 17 mm only, it seems.

It is suggested that the debris shield be cut with tin snips.  I found this
almost impossible to do cleanly, but a Dremel chewed through the shield
quickly and easily.

Visual impressions:  Those discs are HUGE.  There's little room to spare
with 16" SSR Integrals.  There is no empty space in the front rims anymore.
 It's almost a frightening sight.  The Baer logo on the caliper is a good
colour match to a red Miata :)

Driving impressions:  As I've said before, I'm still seasoning the rotors
and can't push the brakes too hard.  Pedal feel is excellent, however.
Travel is slightly longer than before by perhaps a half-inch, but then it's
like stepping on a brick.  This is a big improvement over the old KVR
setup.  The extra weight is definitely felt, however.  A caliper and rotor
combination weighs in at about 24 lbs.  I haven't weighed the stock ones
yet, but it's an appreciable difference.  I was surprised that the entire
rotor was steel instead of using an aluminum center to save weight.

Keith


------------
Keith's page de home:
   http://www.miata.net/keith
------------