speedometer problems, e-brake not holding
 

I just bought a '90 miata and there are two major problems that i want to fix before i do anything else. First is the the speedometer, it doesn't work but as i'm driving it'll move after a while. For instance it's stuck at 15mph when i'm not driving, then i'll drive for 20-30 mins and it'll move to 40 mph but i'll be on a highway doing 60 or 70 (i think). So i guess it kinda works. Does anyone think I should replace the cable or lubricate it? I would also like to know how to adjust the brake pressure for the e-brake b/c its not holding. Thanks in advance

Your speed gauge is probably stuck or broken. If it was the cable you would have no movement or noise in the system. The ebrake adjusts via a flat tip screw driver just pop the handle cover off and in the resting position you will see the adjustment rod straight up and down on the passenger side of the ebrake, i suggest you give it 5-10 good turns in and see if that helps.

Replace the cable.

As for the brakes, when the rear pads get low, the parking brakes gets more travel. If it wasn't properly adjusted the last time the brakes were changed, it would be worse. Take the rear wheels off, verify you have usable life remaining in the pads and then adjust the preload on the caliper/parking brake. Do that by removeing the 14mm bolt (it's just a fancy dust cover and the only one on the back of the caliper), use a hex key to tighten it up as much as possible by hand but don't crank on it...and turn it back 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn (make sure the parking brake is in the disengaged position in the car). Get in the car, pump the brakes once or twice and then check the engagement and position of the parking brake lever. It should hold tight with 4-6 clicks. If that doesn't work or improves the feel, you can adjust tension on the cables via the adjustment bold on the bottom of the parking brake lever as they do stretch over time from improper yanking on the cables (like the assholes who think it takes the strength of The Hulk to se the parking brake).

<----- this guy.


How much force should you put on the e-brake? What about foot actuated e-brakes? Do you just put enough pressure on it to keep the car from moving?

Well, reading comprehension FAIL.

I saw that as a troubleshooting paragraph and skipped to the editorial comments....

thanks guys i'll definitely work on my car when the weather clears up here