No Brakes!

Paolobuchberger · #1 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 02:13 PM

Hello All,

returned we found brake fluid coming out of somewhere in the rear of the left calliper (ie not the one with the hand brake).

Mine is an inboard disk car.

The callipers were replaced with new ones about 20,000 k ago. Anybody else had this issue? I assume it is a seal that has failed? Amplanning to take the calliper off. any Advice?

Enzo Ferrari once said (when criticised for the 1968 Ferrari F1 brakes) that any fool can make a car go slow but only a genius can make it go fast. Nevertheless I need my brakes.

regards

paolo

77SudTi · #2 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 03:45 PM

I would say a bad seal or a damaged bore, a gouge in the cylinder can allow fluid past the piston, even with a good seal doing its job. If they are reconditioned units anything could be possible.

Paolobuchberger · #3 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 04:14 PM

Actually they were new so hopefully just a seal.

**bshorey** · #4 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paolobuchberger

Hello All,

returned we found brake fluid coming out of somewhere in the rear of the left calliper (ie not the one with the hand brake).

Mine is an inboard disk car.

The callipers were replaced with new ones about 20,000 k ago. Anybody else had this issue? I assume it is a seal that has failed? Amplanning to take the calliper off. any Advice?

Enzo Ferrari once said (when criticised for the 1968 Ferrari F1 brakes) that any fool can make a car go slow but only a genius can make it go fast. Nevertheless I need my brakes.

regards

paolo

GTVnut · #5 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 05:19 PM

Dont forget that the brake bias mechanism is also up on the left side of the rear in these cars. I had the same problem recently, and once I replaced this unit it was fine. Check carefully!

Paolobuchberger · #6 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 05:31 PM

Thanks All,

Good advice. I have to admit that it was my friend underneath checking whilst I was pumping the pedal and he told me that it seemed strange that the caliper itself was not coated with fluid, but that rather it was dripping off the gearbox housing behind and below the caliper. Shall try and check carefully.

regards

paolo

GTVnut · #7 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 05:28 AM

definitely sounds like the rear proportioning valve, mounted up just near the rear left caliperget your friend to pump while you look!

enri · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 03:39 PM

i was going to suggest that too, but i wasnt sure if paulo was talking about the rear of the front left caliper as they are dual piston and the handbrake works on the inner !, or the rear left brake in the sense that it is a non-33 model that doesnt have the handbrake at the rear!!! but now i think you have changed to an alfetta?!!

Paolobuchberger · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 04:49 PM

Hello Guys,

Will check for the valve, though you are confusing me now. I'll check the Haynes manual tonight. Is it at the back of the front left caliper? I s that what you mean? The fluid is coming from behind the front left caliper, not the rear brakes at all. As enri says the handbrake operates on the front disk calipers on a sud.

PS I'm sure my car was sabotaged at the concourse by the despicable opposition (BMW, Mercedes etc...no offence).

Paolo

enri · #10 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 05:13 PM

the brake proportioning valve is at the rear left of the car above the axle.
so your problem is the front caliper, or connection or hose as suggested

Paolobuchberger · #11 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 05:28 PM

Thanks enri. Suspected as much.