Brake Compensator Missing

[BT124]

I'm starting to work on rear brakes on my 1979 Spider and found that the compensator rod is missing. Before I buy a new one and go through the trouble of reinstalling, adjusting, etc.. I am wondering if it really is that effective. It seems a little (what's the Italian word for "hokey"). Maybe it's super critical, in which case I'll rebuilt. Comments/advice gladly accepted!

I have to crawl under car again to see what parts are missing, but I think PO just crimped the brake line that fed the proportion ing valve! The fun never stops.

[paintdudeluke]

Don"t waste your time. I zip tied mine up to disable it. Supposedly if you slam on the brakes at 100mph the awesome stopping power might cause the rear end to lift and cause a slide. As it lifts it reduces the brake pressure to the rear to negate the sliding tendency should it break loose. I can't brake the rear loose if I try, and I like the idea of all the brake force I can get. Leave it off. If you ever have a problem with your rear end sliding loose deal with it, but I have never had a problem and I drive like a maniac.

[So Cal Mark]

I offer a bypass hose to replace the compensator

[BT124]

Thanks Mark. I think I'll call you and order the bypass hose and some new SS brake lines.
BobT

[toplessexpat]

There's a few threads on here about the pros/cons of removing the compensator, and more opinions than threads

I work on the theory that generally if the car was built with it, then it had a sensible purpose (or at least an intent even if the execution wasn't brilliant). To me, the compensator is one of those that was executed really rather well too. As described above, it's purpose is to reduce the likelihood of rear lockup. This, to me, is a good thing!

I'm sure that there's something to be said that in the days that it was designed, tires were different, brake pads were different, and I know that many people I respect enormously on FS.com have never locked up the rear and have theirs removed. I have locked up the rear on my 1800 - and the compensator went back on.

Thinking about it a bit more - I suppose that if you haven't worked on your front brakes and so they're not that efficient, then the need for the compensator is reduced a little as you won't be dipping so hard to the front.... I've rebuilt my 1800's front brakes (stock, but rebuilt) and they really are pretty good.

Just my 2c

Andy

[amawds]

Mine was poorly adjusted when I lowered the car and on the first test drive I locked up the rear. Was fun for a bit, felt like I had a high power hydraulic rear brake and I could slide it around with just the brake. As you can imagine, not safe AT ALL so I went home and adjusted it.

Our cars have equal sized brakes front and rear, right down to identical rotors. This makes brake bias VERY important. I eventually plan to bypass mine on my next car, replacing it with an adjustable brake bias knob.

[BEEK]

the front and rear brakes are not the same. yes they share the same rotors and pad style. the rear calipers are much smaller diameter and put less force than the fronts do when the pedal is applied. physics 101. i would bet that 75% of the spiders that have compensators still installed are non functional, unless they have been recently replaced.

[v6spider]

I bought a manually adjustable compensator. I removed the factory one because the arm that connects to the rear end is in the way of my duel exhaust. I'm mounting it so the knob is inside the cab. That way I can adjust it to the optimal pressure.. Bias has to be right.. Too much pressure to the rear brakes is dangerous..

Rob

[bradartigue]

The cheapest car company in the world, FIAT, didn't have this part in there because it had no purpose. It is too easy (and cheap) to make this thing work to eliminate the safety measure it provides.