Break question

[70spider]

My brakes are a little less than desirable. When breaking from highway speeds the car tend weave around a lot, not to the point I lose control but unnerving. Also when putting on new tires yesterday I noticed that the wheels do not spin freely, noticeable rubbing on all 4. What would be a solution to solve these issues? I intend, God willing, to take Pesto on our yearly vacation to New Mexico and some of the mountains are fairly steep and twisty so breaks are high on my priority list.

[gearhead63]

Sounds like you have some sticky calipers. What you describe sounds like they are dragging a bit as well as unevenly braking. Might have some loose suspension bushings, too. I know when I replaced all my front bushings and ball joints, it was much more stable while braking.

[RRoller123]

+1 on that. When was the brake fluid last changed? Mine came out nearly black from moisture incursion, which had caused corrosion in the cylinders leading to pretty much the same behavior (but only on the front right for some reason). It gave me a good reason to upgrade the brakes. The bushings being shot will cause that squirrel action too. Maybe an overly loose steering box as well? Check to see how much steering play there is in the steering wheel before you get movement at the tires. Should be about an inch or so at the wheel's outer circumference. It can be adjusted somewhat at the steering box if it is out.

What came out

[70spider]

Sounds like you have some sticky calipers.

My thoughts so I was going to replace them with the re-manufactured units from AR.

When was the brake fluid last changed?

the PO had it changed prior to me purchasing the car 2 yrs ago. It crystal clear.

Maybe an overly loose steering box as well

hard to tell, I would say about 1.5" , maybe a little more. I thought about trying to adjust the box but I have to pull the intake and carb off to get to it. Unfortunately my Spider has the "old" box so I can't replace it with a new one so I hope I can adjust it when I get the nerve to pull the intake system off.
The car has always behaved like this under hard braking so that is why I tend to stay off big highways.
Thanks for the suggestions .

A couple of more questions, do braided lines work that much better than OEM and I was wondering what others felt about the Vicks Prima brake kit, the one that fits under 13" wheel? As much as I would like I can not go with kit from Marks' kit due to the fact I would have to replace the wheels and tires.

[klweimer]

70 Spider,
Braided stainless steel flex lines on the brake system are a nice replacement for longevity of the system, but I doubt you will notice any difference in actual performance in day to day driving. You were asking about upgraded brake systems from Vick's (or others). This is strictly personal opinion, but I would not spend the money on big calipers, etc and spend it instead on a comprehensive reconditioning of the stock system and have some left over for front end component replacement. The stock brake system works well when in good shape. No question about where the car is headed when you step on the brake pedal...
Klweimer

[lglade]

My car did the same thing as you've described: pulling under braking. I rebuilt all of the slave cylinders and replaced the master cylinder (it was leaking) as well as all of the old flex lines. The pulling was improved but far from fixed, so I next identified that the steering idler bushings were gone (your car probably has the old style idler before Fiat went to bushings) which allowed the right front wheel to toe-in when the brakes were applied. I fixed that for another small improvement, but my car still pulled under braking.

It wasn't until I started on the suspension (worn ball joints and control arm bushings) that the problem went away altogether. Your own situation may be different, but if your driving on the car's original suspension components, then don't be surprised if there aren't several causal factors. My car behaved predictably the whole time, so it became second nature to dial in a little counter-steer every time I hit the brakes, but it was unnerving to everyone else who drove the car.

[124JOE]

i have had my car for 20 yrs i did all the run around and around and around ...

it turned out the brake pads were the problem the whole time
pull them out and compare them to each other,and you will see some are wore more than others.

let us know how it turns out, thanks.joe

[Trickster]

Okay, all wheels are " dragging". As mentioned could be brakes are the issue, or maybe your wheel bearings.
Have you had the wheels off for a look? Notorious area for grime and grit to cause what your describing, moving
parts may need a clean and lube.
Good luck.