A black '69 124 Spider AS

[Weelan]

Ruhroh, my exhaust is too low too then. I actually still can't get that brake off because the line won't retract so the spring decompresses...

[RCSquadraCorse]

Ruhroh, my exhaust is too low too then. I actually still can't get that brake off because the line won't retract so the spring decompresses...

If you take a look at the video I've posted before, you'll notice that also in that case the rubber is going under the exhaust, touching it. However I've tried to push my exhaust closer to the car, and basically it won't move up that much to let the cable going under it without touching. It's just impossible, the brackets of the hand brake cable are on the route of the exhaust (I don't know if I've been able to express myself properly).
However to remove the cable from the caliper just unscrew the bolts on the threaded connector of the hand brake to take off some tension from the line. If the spring will still have too much tension on it, try to disconnect the whole metal piece that connect that hand brake inside the car to the cable. I have a picture that will may be helpful:

The part with the bolts on it, is the "metal piece" or "connector" I'm talking about. There is a small "U" clip on the other side that held in place the threaded piece. Remove the clip to completely release the tension from the line.
While, if you're having troubles with the spring that actually is ON the caliper (the one inside the rubber), that will always be a bit hard to be removed, even without tension on the line.

Riccardo

[fiat218]

Ruhroh, my exhaust is too low too then. I actually still can't get that brake off because the line won't retract so the spring decompresses...

If you take a look at the video I've posted before, you'll notice that also in that case the rubber is going under the exhaust, touching it. However I've tried to push my exhaust closer to the car, and basically it won't move up that much to let the cable going under it without touching. It's just impossible, the brackets of the hand brake cable are on the route of the exhaust (I don't know if I've been able to express myself properly).
However to remove the cable from the caliper just unscrew the bolts on the threaded connector of the hand brake to take off some tension from the line. If the spring will still have too much tension on it, try to disconnect the whole metal piece that connect that hand brake inside the car to the cable. I have a picture that will may be helpful:

The part with the bolts on it, is the "metal piece" or "connector" I'm talking about. There is a small "U" clip on the other side that held in place the threaded piece. Remove the clip to completely release the tension from the line.
While, if you're having troubles with the spring that actually is ON the caliper (the one inside the rubber), that will always be a bit hard to be removed, even without tension on the line.

Riccardo

doesnt all the e brake cable rub on the exhaust, i have not seen one yet that has not

[RCSquadraCorse]

doesnt all the e brake cable rub on the exhaust, i have not seen one yet that has not

Ok, this is a "good news", thanks man. At least now I know that is not just my car with this weird solution! Crazy Italians...

Riccardo

[fiat218]

doesnt all the e brake cable rub on the exhaust, i have not seen one yet that has not

Ok, this is a "good news", thanks man. At least now I know that is not just my car with this weird solution! Crazy Italians...

Riccardo

Must be a way to make it work the right way, I am pretty sure when it was new that it did not rest on the exhaust

[RCSquadraCorse]

doesnt all the e brake cable rub on the exhaust, i have not seen one yet that has not

Ok, this is a "good news", thanks man. At least now I know that is not just my car with this weird solution! Crazy Italians...

Riccardo

Must be a way to make it work the right way, I am pretty sure when it was new that it did not rest on the exhaust

Hmm... I don't know to be honest... maybe an expert can enlighten us on this feature. On my car the brackets of the cable make impossible not to rub the exhaust. There is just no space to make the cable going under, even if I pull all the way up the exhaust with the hands! I'll take a picture that will explain better what I mean.

Riccardo

[RCSquadraCorse]

As you can see, this is how the cable looks right now (remember that there is no tension, the cable is completely disconnected):


And this is how it would be even if I lift up the exhaust all the way up:


I've jacked the exhaust to the max and the cable would still rub on it, not to mention that there are no brackets for the exhaust to keep it that high, so even if it was good enough I won't still be able to keep it in place.
Also, can anyone tell me if the 2-1 section of the exhaust (basically the first bend under the car) is normal that it sits lower than the oil sump?
Thanks in advance.

Riccardo

[giuliot60]

Riccardo, my '81 cable doesn't touch the exhaust pipe at all. There is more of an arc to my cable. I'll try to get a shot up soon. It also appears that the resonator is not in the right position. I believe mine is before the cable, but I don't know if it's different for the various years. I would think not.

[RCSquadraCorse]

Riccardo, my '81 cable doesn't touch the exhaust pipe at all. There is more of an arc to my cable. I'll try to get a shot up soon. It also appears that the resonator is not in the right position. I believe mine is before the cable, but I don't know if it's different for the various years. I would think not.

Thank you Giulio, it would be great to have an image to understand what's wrong with my setup. But I'm still curious about why also the Allison's exhaust rub on the cable... Take a look the video I've linked before.
About the exhaust, it's a genuine Fiat part, so I don't know what's wrong with it. I'm really starting to hate the previous owner! Ahah! My father told me that he has never changed anything on the car, he just did the general maintenance, but he also told me from who bought this car and... well, believe it or not he was a mechanic...

Riccardo

[giuliot60]

I did see the video Riccardo. I don't know why. Maybe ask (PM) Mark Allison.

I also have a catalytic converter, so there would be some difference there. I'm wondering if you could arc the E-brake line a little to give the exhaust more room. Physically bend it down. It's held to the body with 4 small bolts (2 on each side), maybe add spacers (and longer bolts) to move it down a little.

It's been raining here (car is covered outside), but I'll see what I can do about getting the shot posted.

[RCSquadraCorse]

I did see the video Riccardo. I don't know why. Maybe ask (PM) Mark Allison.

I also have a catalytic converter, so there would be some difference there. I'm wondering if you could arc the E-brake line a little to give the exhaust more room. Physically bend it down. It's held to the body with 4 small bolts (2 on each side), maybe add spacers (and longer bolts) to move it down a little.

It's been raining here (car is covered outside), but I'll see what I can do about getting the shot posted.

I think I see what you mean, I'll have a look and see if it's possible to make something like that. It would be really smart, cheap and functional, so fingers crossed and thanks for the advice!
Take your time for the pictures, I'm not in a hurry since I'm rebuilding the brakes and installing the new broken hard line!

Riccardo

[giuliot60]

Here are some images of my exhaust/e-brake scenario. And I was wrong about the resonator, mine is in the same position but maybe a little further back.

As a photographer, you are well aware of the foreshortening a camera can do. Looking at my shots the exhaust does almost appear to be touching the e-brake cable, but in fact there is plenty of room. Close up shot does a fairly good job at showing it. Shot with iPhone.





Hope these help a little.

Yes, it is a new exhaust from Auto Ricambi (Made in Italy)

[124JOE]

mine rubbed also
and melted the rubber

[RCSquadraCorse]

How is possible that you have all that room?!?
It looks like your cable is 20cm longer than mine, otherwise I cannot explain all that space between the parts!
Is it possible for you to take a shot of the e-brake linkage and brackets "before" the exhaust? I'm curious to see what's the difference from my car... still have to look for the "spacers solution" tho...
Thanks for the pictures Giulio, much appreciated!

@Joe, it looks like a common problem, but that's weird, isn't it...?

Riccardo

[fiat218]

u say your car is original. id like to see your door panels ,just to compare with mine, id like to see if mine are the same , thanks