[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?

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

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?

How did she stop to make the call?

I don't see the booster being an issue. Maybe the cotter pin broke from the pedal to the booster.
You can see of the MC is a problem, it is right on top.

pads, no way. You would have hit the wear markers that give a nice squeal if they where low. Even if they where to the lowest point they should still stop the car. Lets not forget the rears are most likely 1/4 or more than the fronts on most occasions!
Should have stopped the car fine. Maybe not great but good enough. There are a lot of safety features with braking systems.

Maybe something you did previously as this does not sound like a common problem that spider owners encounter?! Interesting though.



J

 

[ddouglas77]

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

J

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.

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

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.

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]

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

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]

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.]

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?

It is always good to look at everything related.
Autozone? Maybe you need to buy some pads from a alfa supplier.

Yes, the pad could have worn down to the backing and slipped bye but highly unlikely unless you really let it go.

j

 

[ddouglas77]

highly unlikely unless you really let it go.

j

Jason, don't you know me by now? Of course I would really let it go that far-everything is in the excess...

 

[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.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Um, you want to repair Spiders professionally?

 

[cmlmtn]

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]

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

Hmmmm... Don't think a plywood countertop will kill you.

 

[Stan Murray]

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]

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.

The right one was checked, she didn't check it, her cousin did. Brake fluid level going low also means, at times, the pads are wearing out, the further the piston has to come out of the caliper, removes that much fluid from the reservoir. I always hated doing brakes and when I got to the last set see a pool of brake fluid gather in my garage, that happens when the people who brought me the car thought that a low level meant you add fluid, not that it meant the pads were severly worn.
She did say the brake pedal was extremely stiff with the car off, but went to the floor with it running. If it is possible as Jason suggested, it could be I lost a set of pads and pistons are fully pushed out, that would explain some things, but either way, the only way I'm going to know for sure is by getting myself dirty...so heres to it.

 

[ddouglas77]

Um, you want to repair Spiders professionally?

Yes, I get to practice with mine all the time!

 

[ddouglas77]

Hmmmm... Don't think a plywood countertop will kill you.

You must have never heard of "killer splinters"...

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

[Now that you mention the pedal I would have to say MC.
hard pedal would indicate Booster, soft or to the floor MC, air in the line, lost fluid.
Like I said the pad theory is most likely a shot in the dark, but I have seen it before. Plenty in-stock if you need one
J

 

[ddouglas77]

soft or to the floor MC, air in the line, lost fluid.
J

Air in the line is always a possibility, but not likely if there is still fluid in the reservoir, it may be the MC, not going to overlook that either, but for the past 3 months, I knew I needed new pads up front, without a doubt, was just wanting to get new wheel bearings, rotors, ect...I didn't just want to do the pads which is where I'm at now. Waiting for my woman to get out of the shower, I don't know where her cousin lives and apparantly that is where the car is. Luckily Autozone took my advice and stocked up on spider parts for me as they have pads in stock in 2 different flavors.

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

Well, I guess it is the pads then.
J

 

[ddouglas77]

Well, I guess it is the pads then.
J

As you said, it was a shot in the dark, the MC could be leaking out internally, bad seal in the piston bore, etc...This is better than trying to guess the "mystery meat" in the high school cafeteriea-it could be so many things