About John Campbell Expertise I am an expert in body repair and restoration. This includes electrical and mechanical. I can also be coaxed into finding hard to locate parts for interesting marquees. I have a broad knowledge of automotive design and engineering that allows me to work on any make or model without digression.
Experience Son in a father/son European and exotic restoration shop specializing in MG, Triumph, Jaguar, Austin Healy, and Morris.
12 years experience in field along with multiple show winning cars and caretaker to some of the finest European automobiles on the eastern seaboard.
Already an expert in the automotive boards under cars-automotive and UK cars.
I would be changing my rotors and brake pads this coming weekend for my 2000 Mazda MPV LX. My question is that, can I just use a C-clam in pushing back the caliper pistons in installing new brake pads? In doing so, is there anyway that will damage my brake cylinder and/or the ABS.
I would be also changing my Automatic Transmission Fluid and I am just wondering if my van has a filter or none?
Thanks very much for your time and looking forward to hear from you soon.
Victor (Toronto)
Answer You can purchase a caliper wrench for around $20 from an auto parts store if it is needed. It is a cube with 3/8" ratchet holes on each side and different shaped pins on each face. The compression of your caliper will not damage the ABS or cylinders.
A repair manual will give you any procedural details you need. I do not remember if there are any particular special procedures used for retracting the pistons. It has been a while since I replaced the pads on an MPV of that vintage.
The van has a filter, but the changing of the transmission fluid should be done at a repair shop as it requires the use of a Transmission Flushing machine. You cannot change the fluid completely by any other method.
The fluid lost in a filter change is only around 1.5 - 2 quarts in an 8-12 quart system. Not really all that effective in maintaining the vehicle. The whole process is usually around $150 and will last it another 80,000 miles.
