Rear Brake Caliper

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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Broadsword
Posts: 111
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:17 am
Your car is a: 1970 124 Spider
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Rear Brake Caliper

Post by Broadsword »

I finally got around to putting one of the rear calipers back together with new seals etc.
I have read a lot of threads regarding re-assembly of rear calipers, and in particular the woes of compressing the spring washers so the emergency/hand brake lever arm can slide through.
Mine went through without a problem; in fact it came out fairly easily as well.
Before putting the new rubber boot over the lot I applied liberal high temperature grease, and the arm returns nicely so the springs are working.
Should I be worried, or am I lucky it went on easily???
Thank you.
SoFlaFiat

Re: Rear Brake Caliper

Post by SoFlaFiat »

In my experience, if you get it all lined up just right... It pops right in with the proper leverage. If it went smoothly, count yourself lucky and talented!! I just put mine back together and one went great, the other tried to fight with me!
Well done!!
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Broadsword
Posts: 111
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:17 am
Your car is a: 1970 124 Spider
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Rear Brake Caliper

Post by Broadsword »

LOL; I will go with lucky rather than talented!
That is good to know.
Thank you.
SoFlaFiat

Re: Rear Brake Caliper

Post by SoFlaFiat »

Ah, don't discredit your talent! The rear calipers in these cars have caused people to quit their projects! You obviously have the necessary patience and talent!
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Broadsword
Posts: 111
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:17 am
Your car is a: 1970 124 Spider
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Rear Brake Caliper

Post by Broadsword »

Don't speak too soon, I still have the other side to do!
I was reading a thread regarding the line in the piston relative to the bleeder.
I am sure it said they should be on opposite sides, but then I looked at one of the calipers as it was when it came off the car and they are on the same side.
Which is correct?
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SoFlaFiat

Re: Rear Brake Caliper

Post by SoFlaFiat »

Got me, never checked that... :oops:
Anyone have a better answer than that?
User avatar
Broadsword
Posts: 111
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:17 am
Your car is a: 1970 124 Spider
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Rear Brake Caliper

Post by Broadsword »

I just found the answer in the workshop manual; the line in the piston should be on the same side as the bleeder.
There is a caution note, although the drawing does make it look like the bleeder is on the opposite side.

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SoFlaFiat

Re: Rear Brake Caliper

Post by SoFlaFiat »

Hmmm, I should pull mine back off and verify!
Learn something every day!!
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Rear Brake Caliper

Post by narfire »

Yeup, the line should be on the same side as the bleeder.
Congrats on rebuilding the rear caliper. The problem I've always had was getting that little metal wedge back in... I'll have to search here and see if there was a "trick" to get the thing in without buggering up the bushings or imbibing too much installation fluid and then nothing gets done... or I end up bleeding.... :oops:
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
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