Glad I found this forum!

[johnr49442]

Hello. My name is John and I have a 1971 Fiat 124 Spider. It's the original baby blue paint. I live in Western Michigan and I was hoping someone here could help me find a reputable garage near me to do some brake work for my little Fiat. I replaced all four calipers, pads, and rotors, now I want a good garage to do the bleeding. Any suggestions? It is so cool to find a forum that deals with these over looked Italian beauties.

[pope]

Welcome!
Huuummmm, do we know anyone in western Michigan? OOOhhhh yah, we know someone. His name is Mike and he'll be right with you.

Post a pic of that car. Gotta see baby blue!

[So Cal Mark]

welcome! You've done most of the work on your brakes, why not finish it? You can buy a one-man brake bleeder for about $50

[johnr49442]

I actually bought one of those one man bleeders, but I can't seem to get all of the air out of the system. The pedal is still soft. I even supported the rear axle because of the proportioning valve. The only other thing I can think of is a bad booster. Oh, I also replaced the master cylinder and brake hoses. If it is the booster, I have never replaced one of those on any car I've worked on.

[So Cal Mark]

a bad booster won't cause a low pedal, just the opposite in fact. Sometimes just supporting the rear end isn't good enough. Try disconnecting the link to the compensator and tying it up as high as it will go. If you replaced the master and didn't bleed it before hooking up the lines, it can be hard to get all of the air out.

[ANALOG]

Welcome John! Where in West Michigan are you? I'll also be looking for a good tech in the Grand Rapids area in the near future. Here are a couple I know of so far:

Turin Sportscars - 3309 Redmond St., Kalamazoo - http://turinsportscars.com/ - (269) 388-6070
Slayton Foreign Car Service - 13942 Sundstrom Lane, Grand Haven - (616) 847-7730

I took my previous Spider to Turin Sportscars in Kalamazoo. Mark has a lot of experience working on Spiders and a lot of parts on hand. Now that I'm in Ada, I'll likely try out Slayton.

Post some pics of your car when you get a chance. And check out the FLU Michigan web site: http://flumichigan.italiancarclub.com We've got a lot of activities planned for the summer.

Rod

[rlux4]

Hey John, welcome to the forum. You should hear from Mike any minute now. He no doubt will be impressed that you're doing the brake work. For some reason he keeps harping about how important it is to be able to stop our cars after we get them running. Go figure.
Good luck, and looking forward to seeing your car, I'm partial to blue, even if I did end up with a red one.
Ron

[mbouse]

John!! West Michigan..... where ?????

Drop me a line, we have LOTS to talk about: mbouse@chartermi.net

Mechanics? We got mechanics. Mike Slayton has already been mentioned. Mike is a member of WEST MICHIGAN FLU, a Chapter of FIAT LANCIA UNLIMITED, and as Analog mentioned, he is in Grand Haven. his number is (616) 847-7730. Mike is a full time mechanic specializing in Euorpean imports, but he does Pacific rim vehicles as well. He even owns a 1966 Alfa 1750 Spider.

Depending on where you live, and what is wrong with your car.... I might better steer you in the right direction for another person(s). To determine that, i'll really wanna talk more to you via email. Brakes can be a simple thing, or fairly complex...but collectively the boyz at WEST MICHIGAN FLU seem to have enough resources to come to your aid. Of course, if you prefer a licensed mechanic, we can help you out there as well.

Mark Bury in Kalamazoo was also mentioned by Analog, but do not attemt to contact him via his website or by email. He is rather old-school in that.... his website serves only as passive advertising. If you wanna contact Mark, you gotta do so in person or by telephone. (269) 388-6070.

Like i said, finding some brake work for you is only the beginning. We need to talk about summer activities together. Look us up at http://flumichigan.italiancarclub.com/ and see if we might be the group you'd enjoy driving around with this year.

Blue is my favorite color. Gotta see yours real soon. Hoping I get the chance, in person.

[mbouse]

Muskegon? 49442

John, our chapter president lives nearby, and obviously Mike Slayton is only a hoot and holler away!!

[jprisbe]

Hi John,

As Mike said... I live nearby... in Fruitport.
If I can be of assistance just let me know.
I wouldn't mind being on the pedal pumping end of a brake bleed instead of the dirty end

And as Analog said... check out our website http://flumichigan.italiancarclub.com. Our first driving event of the season is just 6 weeks from yesterday... although some of us we may be heading to Allendale for some ice cream much sooner than that.

BTW, if you 'd like to join West Michigan FLU... we are having a garage day on May 31st at Slayton Foreign Car Service. You'll have a chance to get you car up on Mike Slayton's lift and get a good look underneath.

[johnr49442]

Thanks to all for the help! I am in Muskegon, so it looks as though I have a lot of support near me! That is so relieving. I've had my Spider for two years, and this is the first I've heard of this forum or the local chapter of Fiat lovers! My baby blue is in storage, so I'll have to get her out, throw some wax on her, and snap some digital photos to post here. You folks have stoked the Fiat fire in me again, because I was about to lose faith in getting these brakes to work. It's all I've worked on since I got her.

I will be in touch with everyone locally in West Michigan, too! Thanks again!

John

[jprisbe]

John,

West Michigan FLU has officially been around just about two years so you probably acquired your spider about the time we organized.

Looking forward to see you on the streets of West Michigan.