Brake Woes

[jclarkey]

Spent the day washing and shining up the car in prep for a nice evening cruise on this Canadian long weekend. She started right up and I was stoked for a nice drive. Until I hit the brakes and the went all the way to the floor and then the brake failure light came on. I knew I had a small leak in the rear caliper, but I guess it must have grown because my fluid was bone dry. So much for my cruise

So I am guessing this is not a good thing. When the car is off, I can pump up the brakes, but the pedal still moves after 6-8 pumps. As soon as I start it back up it is right back to really soft brakes.

Thoughts? Do the lines just need to be bled?

[azruss]

If the reservior went dry, then you pumped air into the system, so yes they need to be rebled

[jclarkey]

Worst part is that it is suppose to be 28 degrees tomorrow

Any tips or tricks for bleeding the lines? Will try and take a crack at it tomorrow.

[4uall]

This might help

I am by no means an expert but after overhauling my brake system this past weekend, I think that you can bleed your brakes single-handedly in about an hour and a half including the wheel removal and installation, jacking, etc. I had help but I tested the theory and it seems to work just as well without help too, just not as efficiently.
I used the method described in the Factory Fiat Service Manual. This method uses a segment of clear tubing (standard air tubing for a fish tank - $1.50/8ft at Walmart) and new bottle of brake fluid and and another bottle/container filled with a couple of inches of brake fluid (I used the near empty bottle of the fluid that was knocked over earlier in the day.). Cut about a 2.5ft segment of the tubing and force one end over the end of the bleed screw and place the other in the container with the small amount of brake fluid, making sure the end of the tubing in the bottle was completely submerged. Now just barely crack the bleed screw and start pumping the brake pedal. Air and fluid escape through the screw and into the tubing and finally into the bottle. As long as the other end of the tubing stays submerged in the other bottle of fluid, air cannot return through the hose back into the caliper. If you have the jar jacked up, as I did, there will be and gentle arc made by the tubing from the caliper down to the bottle. This arc in the tubing is important if you are bleeding yourself. Air bubbles rise to the top of this arc and remain there until they are forced out of the bottom of the tube. If you are doing this yourself. Pump the brake and then check the tubing if you can see any bubbles left in the tubing you need to keep going. If there are no bubbles and the fluid is clear then you can close the bleed screw and remove the hose. In order not drip brake fluid, pinch the tube at the top of the bleed screw and hold vertically above the other end in the container and gradually release pressure, excess fluid will drain into the container and you are off to your next caliper.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... &sk=t&sd=a

http://www.international-auto.com/brake ... eo-164.cfm

[So Cal Mark]

you really should fix the leak before attempting to bleed it. Driving a car with a leaking caliper is just asking for bigger troubles.

[4uall]

Like Mark said

Here is a good video on brake caliper rebuild

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXcClOf ... A&index=45

[kilrwail]

Mark was too polite - you MUST fix the leak before you spend another cent on brake fluid! If it's leaking around the piston, either rebuild it or get a replacement rebuilt caliper from NAPA (they have them).

[jclarkey]

Thanks guys!

Rebuild kit was ordered last week and I was hoping it was going to get here before the weekend so I could do it while I am off. I guess I will just have to admire the car from the garage this weekend.

[pluktv]

Or do what I did and just keep topping up the fluid for a summer. It was the tiniest of weeps. Problem was that the brake fluid splattered onto the rear wheel and took the finish off. Not good.

All for the sake of a less than $10 rebuild kit and an afternoon.

[jclarkey]

Or do what I did and just keep topping up the fluid for a summer. It was the tiniest of weeps. Problem was that the brake fluid splattered onto the rear wheel and took the finish off. Not good.

All for the sake of a less than $10 rebuild kit and an afternoon.

That is what I was doing. Still waiting for the seal kit, but at least now I can bleed the lines and maybe get out for a cruise.

[BEEK]

the worst part is where there is a weep, there is potential for complete failure. just would not want to take the risk of driving a car and all of a sudden have absolutly no brakes. especially when it could have been prevented

[jclarkey]

the worst part is where there is a weep, there is potential for complete failure. just would not want to take the risk of driving a car and all of a sudden have absolutly no brakes. especially when it could have been prevented

Totally! Still waiting on the new seal but got the car up on the jack stands last night ready to fix as soon as it comes in. I am going crazy not being able to cruise.

[jclarkey]

Part arrived earlier this week, caliper remove (after an hour and lots of cursing) and the wife and kids are out of the house tomorrow! Time to get this leak fixed! Miss my car!

[fiat218]

Part arrived earlier this week, caliper remove (after an hour and lots of cursing) and the wife and kids are out of the house tomorrow! Time to get this leak fixed! Miss my car!

I thought you was going to say, wife and kids in the car waiting lol
Get the brakes fixed

[jclarkey]

Rebuilt the calliper (was surprised at how easy it was) and bled the lines this past weekend and everything seems to be ok. There was a little fluid on the floor this AM but I think that was just overflow that was on the brakes and in the wheel well. Fingers crossed!