rear brakes

[spider78]

just aquired a 79 spider which sat for 13 yrs replaced MC and all calipers due to not having brakes bled the front no problem not getting any fluid to the rear also when the brakes are pumped getting air thru the carbs can someone give me some info

[seabeelt]

Make sure the rear axel is supported on the jack stands and not hanging, otherwise the compensator will block fluid flow.
R/

[bobplyler]

Why do you say you are getting air through the carb? Could you elaborate?

[DanD]

If something happens to your idle when you hit the brakes, you may have a bad booster. To fix my rear brakes, I had to replace the flexible hoses, including the center one, and also replace the compensator and rebuild the rear calipers.

The compensator was frozen, the hoses collapsed internally, and the calipers corroded. Fiat spiders will still stop if the back brakes are totally shot, so often they go years without being fixed. If you jack up the car by the rear axle and put jack stands under it, you might be able to bleed your system. If not, all of the above items are suspect.

There are a lot of brake rebuild threads I think. You could try a search, or someone may post you a link.

[spider78]

Thanks for the imput in reguards to the air thru the carb when i was pumping the brake pedal to bleed the system it sounded like air blowing out of the card which shouldnt be

[rbp911]

I HAVE REBUILT ONE OF MY REAR CALIPERS LON MY 85 PININFARINA AND ALL WENT WELL UNTIL I INSERTED THE PISTON AND STARTED SCREWING IT DOWN ON THE PLUNGER. ABOUT 1/2" OF THE PISTON IS STILL STICKING OUT PAST THE CALIPER CASTING AND CONTINUED TURNING OF THE PISTON DOES NOT DRAW IT IN ANY FARTHER. SHOULD THE PISTON GO ALL THE WAY IN UNTIL IT IS FLUSH WITH THE CASTING?

[azruss]

No, as it remember it will stick out about 1/16"

[rbp911]

SO WHAT DO I DO TO GET IT TO GO ALL THE WAY IN?

[4uall]

[rbp911]

Very funny, Jay! I guess I set myself up for that one and you could not resist. Seriously, does anyone know what I should do next?
Ron

[4uall]

When installing new rear brake pads on your Fiat 124 or Fiat X1/9, remember that you cannot seat the rear caliper piston just by pushing it in. You must SCREW it in, in a clockwise direction. This is due to the fact that the handbrake is incorporated into the rear caliper.

You must also ensure that the handbrake actuating lever on the caliper is fully released while screwing the piston home, otherwise the handbrake will be ineffective. Finally, see to it that the line scribed in the end of the piston is at the top, closest to the bleeder.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18859

[Funcar]

This is how I was able to press and turn the rear caliber pistons into place.( Previos post)

I finished the brake job yesterday...well almost. I have replaced all four rotors, calipers ; pads and rubber flex hoses. Didn't bleed them as my assistant had gone to bed. (Wife). I thought I had pretty well read most information on brake jobs on this form and proceeded. The front brakes went on as expected. The rear brakes gave me more of a problem. I could not get the caliper to seat properly so I could put the wedges in. 2 hours of toil and sweat and no success. I found that the piston was jamming on something on the way in. I could not seem to apply sufficient pressure and find a good tool to turn it in further. I called my mechanic friend and he said he could lend me a Caliper Tool Kit.



He told me to make sure that I left the slot in the piston perpendicular so it lines up with the bump on the caliper. He said this allows the caliper to slide on past the bump on the back of the brake pad. I had not know this and I know this has probrably been posted here. I had the slot turned verticle and the caliper was jamming on the bump on the pad!

Tips I learned. Have a propane torch. I keep a garden hose handy when using it. Use liquid wrench generously over days. Get the right tools. Read and search this form. Get spare cooper washers as the flex hose didnt supply them. Clean and return tools you use promptly with a coffee in hand. Have beer in the fridge. Patience and persistance a must
Funcar Posts: 88Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:24 amLocation: Kitchener Ontario Canada

[azruss]

When you thread the piston on, you should reach a point where you can still turn the piston but doesnt go any deeper. You have reach the maximum depth at this time. The top will not be flush with the casting but will stick out about a 16th". You should be able to get them over the rotor if you have the correct pads. Some of the pads have a shim on the back and you may need to remove that.

[rbp911]

Is the anchoring connection at the very end of the hand brake cable supposed to rotate at all?