Brakes question

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
Funcar
Posts: 193
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:24 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat Spider 124
Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada

Brakes question

Postby Funcar » Wed Apr 26, 2017 9:01 am

I just brought my 73 spider home from storage. I had just gotten the car certified a few day before I put it in storage so had only driven about 100 miles. I had completely rebuilt the brakes. This included having a mechanic replace the metal brake line on the front driver side. During my first few drives I hit the brakes to make sure they worked and was happy that I could lock up all 4 wheels.

When I picked the car up the left reservoir was empty. I have the dual reservoir. The other was still full. I am pretty sure this one supplies the front brakes. I can't see where the brake fluid leaked out? I tightened the connections at the caliper and the metal line. I have pumped the brakes after filling the reservoir to look for the leak. Nothing leaks out. Do I now proceed with the normal bleeding procedure or is there something else I can do first?
Glen
Kitchener ON Canada
73 Fiat Spider 124

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kilrwail
Posts: 1099
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:49 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Location: Perth, Ontario

Re: Brakes question

Postby kilrwail » Wed Apr 26, 2017 11:43 am

Check for a leak under the master cylinder and along the frame rail under it. The fluid might end up running down the LF control arm and pooling on the floor inside the tire. Mine did - a new M/C was required.
_____________________________________________________________
Peter Brownhill

1978 Fiat 124 Sport Spider - original owner
1977 Porsche 911S - track car
2022 Ram 4 x 4 - hauler
PCA National Instructor and Motorsport Safety Foundation Level 2 Instructor

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RRoller123
Patron 2020
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Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Brakes question

Postby RRoller123 » Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:00 pm

That is exactly what recently happened to mine as well, with the same drip locations, inside of wheel rim too.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

Funcar
Posts: 193
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:24 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat Spider 124
Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada

Re: Brakes question

Postby Funcar » Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:48 pm

Thanks you guys ...much appreciated...but I'm sorry to join your misey/love of our spiders!

I did think that would be the problem. Have been reading some threads about the enjoyment of making the swap. Ok as a non mechanical but love to DIYS guy will give it a go.

Wish Russ from AZ lived in the neighborhood!
Glen
Kitchener ON Canada
73 Fiat Spider 124

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nelsonj
Posts: 394
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:37 pm
Your car is a: 1972 Spider 124

Re: Brakes question

Postby nelsonj » Thu Apr 27, 2017 12:32 am

I had two issues. First, I had a rear cylinder on the caliper start leaking, badly. It left a puddle behind the passenger wheel and my reservoir low. I got a rebuild kit (basically just new o-rings), and while it was a task, it has worked great since the rebuild.

Next - my M/C went bad. I never could figure out where the break fluid went - perhaps in the wheel well. Anyway, I replaced the M/C and it completely solved the problem.

Good luck.

(Aside - speaking of brake misery. I have a co-worker/friend with a Porsche 356 that's been in the family since new. It has four wheel drums and he is constantly, I mean constantly, having brake issues. He is somewhat amazed our Spiders have 4-wheel disks, and really wishes he had it so good. It is a nice feature on our car, and they really aren't that bad of a maintenance issue. Plus, new disks are really, really affordable.)


Peace.
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Simi Valley, California
Spider 1800
Romans 10:9


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