No brakes.

**ddouglas77** · #1 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 05:49 PM

I was just woken up with a call from my woman that the brakes in my car no longer work. I am wondering (just like the rest of you who have not seen it either) if maybe the delicately designed levers into the booster have come undone. The only info I have is that: 1: There are no brakes. 2: There is brake fluid. My other thought is that the front pads have finally gone south (I've been waiting for that as well, hence saving this on my ebay page: eBay Motors: 83 90 Alfa Spider Veloce F Brake Rotor Pads Kit Rotors (item 190038753878 end time Oct-31-07 06:33:38 PDT)). Anyone care to point out other areas of interest for me?

**Alfissimo Int.** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddouglas77

I was just woken up with a call from my woman that the brakes in my car no longer work. I am wondering (just like the rest of you who have not seen it either) if maybe the delicately designed levers into the booster have come undone. The only info I have is that: 1: There are no brakes. 2: There is brake fluid. My other thought is that the front pads have finally gone south (I've been waiting for that as well, hence saving this on my ebay page: eBay Motors: 83 90 Alfa Spider Veloce F Brake Rotor Pads Kit Rotors (item 190038753878 end time Oct-31-07 06:33:38 PDT)). Anyone care to point out other areas of interest for me?

**ddouglas77** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfissimo Int.

as this does not sound like a common problem that spider owners encounter?!

J

**Alfissimo Int.** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddouglas77

Thanks Jason, I'm "pretty sure" the problem lies in the fact that the front pads are no longer there...not sure, again, haven't been able to inspect it, but I do know the front pads were on their way a long time ago-shame on me for not buying that kit to begin with....I thought there may have been a common problem with the brakes and the spider, so figured I'd ask before I got up to my elbows in grease with it.

**ddouglas77** · #5 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfissimo Int.

Like I said if they where even down to the wear markers you still would have plenty left to stop, so did you let them go so far as to possibly slip past the calipers?

Any recent work done on the brake system, at all???

J

**ddouglas77** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 07:07 PM

Well, my woman was deleted from here, but this is what she says in her own words and typing-here she goes:
LOL, I feel like I am writing out a police report!
Okay, so I came to a stop and the breaks felt a bit spongy, but at the next stop sign, the break pedal went almost completely to the floor, however, it did stop. At the next stop, not so fortunate, all breaking ceased and sailing happened. No accidents, but no breaks either!

**Alfissimo Int.** · #7 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddouglas77

They've been squealling for a month at least, the transmission in her car went out, which is what I've been promoted to drive while she drives the spider, last night, I believe I saw the "Brake" light on, so I figured the pads wore down a bit since she has been driving it (she likes to drive very fast too-already claims having the car at 110mph). I was just wondering if it would pay to look over the linkage and what not or just go to autozone and pick up a set of pads (in the car with a bad transmission)....

What do you mean by "slip past the calipers", are you saying the pads may have come off wearing the caliper piston into the rotor?

**ddouglas77** · #8 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfissimo Int.

highly unlikely unless you really let it go.

j

**Bill S** · #9 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 10:06 PM

Is it possible she checked the clutch reservoir instead of the brake? Or is going by looking at the dark stain on the inside of the reservoir instead of pulling the cap to check actual level? No stopping at all sure sounds like no fluid.

Art Vandelay · #10 (**permalink**) 10-27-2007, 12:02 AM

Um, you want to repair Spiders professionally?

cmlmtn · #11 (**permalink**) 10-27-2007, 07:19 AM

Never judge a mechanic by his car...I've built hundreds of homes, but I've had plywood countertops for almost two years!

It sounds like the brake MC to me...If the pads were to the point where they wouldn't stop the car wouldnt there be a hedious metallic grinding sound?

**aldo** · #12 (**permalink**) 10-27-2007, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmlmtn

Never judge a mechanic by his car...I've built hundreds of homes, but I've had plywood countertops for almost two years!

**Stan Murray** · #13 (**permalink**) 10-27-2007, 08:12 AM

Brake warning light comes on only when the fluid is low. Switch is in the reservoir.
If you are losing fluid and you can't find a leak in your brake lines or calipers then it is the rear seal of the MC and it is leaking into the booster. You can pull the hose off the booster and there will be brake fluid residue in the hose.

**ddouglas77** · #14 (**permalink**) 10-27-2007, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill S

Is it possible she checked the clutch reservoir instead of the brake? Or is going by looking at the dark stain on the inside of the reservoir instead of pulling the cap to check actual level? No stopping at all sure sounds like no fluid.