1978 spider, bleeding calipers

[boogiedude]

I'm in the process of purchasing a 78 spider for a very good price. it has its positives and negatives. one of the negatives being that an unknown number of calipers are allegedly seized open, so far as the owner knows. a friend of mine suggested bleeding the fluid to see if that fixes it, but theres a tiny problem. the only bleeder he has is for his 1976 bmw 2002. would the cap fit on the fluid container for the spider? i know its a long shot, but its worth a chance before i order calipers to replace them.

any help? ideas?

[ventura ace]

All you need is someone to sit in the driver seat and push the brake pedal down when you say 'Push', and let it up when you say 'Let up', . . . then after a few minutes of not getting anything out the bleeder screws, you come out from underneath the car and explain to your wife the difference between the clutch pedal and the brake pedal!

Just kidding. But serious, that no special equipment required. Just a wrench to crack open the bleeder screw, and some tubing and a container to catch the spent fluid.

Alvon

[boogiedude]

haha thanks. the car hasnt been registered in over 5 years and hasnt really been driven in that time either. could it be the fluid? or is that just wishful thinking? or do spiders' calipers have a tendency to seize after remaining untouched for a while?

[SpiderHead]

naw Boogie,

unless the brakes were buggered when it was parked... they are still just fine, chances are they are in the same condition as when parked.

the beauty of the Fiat brake system, is that it is 4 wheel disk... so as drum brakes can freeze up (meaning rust solid). Disks do not have that as a major issue.

and that is completely 180 degrees away from the symptoms you outlined. no braking means no fluid, or no pads...

The system almost certainly just leaked fluid, and created air pockets as a result.

Bleeding will certainly get the system functional, but long term you REALLY need to look at brake line replacement.

Go braided stainless unless you are broke.

-Ryan

[So Cal Mark]

braided stainless hoses aren't much more expensive than oem rubber hoses. If the car has been sitting 5 years, plan on completely rebuilding the brake system. That means replacing the master cylinder and rebuilding all 4 calipers, removing the rust from the rotors and caliper slides. Pads and hoses would only have to be replaced as needed. Flush ALL of the old fluid out.

[boogiedude]

thanks for the advice guys, i was already on anticipating replacing the calipers. but at least now i know that i should be able to bleed the fluid and drive the car 15 miles home instead of financing a tow-truck

[racydave]

When I first got my Spider ( from an old friend ) we dollied it on a 2 wheel trailer. About a mile later the rear brakes were locking up. I know they were fine when it was parked a few years earlier. Since one of the front brake bleeders broke off, I replaced all 4 calipers and all rubber brake hoses. Then the Master cyl would not pump, so it was replaced as well. The system is 30 years old! Good luck! PS there is a special procedure to bleeding the rear brakes because of the rear valve.

[boogiedude]

would you happen to know the "special procedure"?

[ga.spyder]

Basically,because of the brake compensater,you have to jack up both wheels to about the same height.Put stands under the axle,and then remove the wheels.If one side is much higher than the other,it wont bleed properly.Then bleed away.I just redid my rear brakes last week,so it is fresh on my mind!!
Craig

[boogiedude]

that procedure goes for both front and rear? or just the rear?

[racydave]

There is a compensator valve attached via linkage to the rear axle. Basically just put the jack stands under the rear axle. No special procedure for the fronts. We have a Fiat friend ( Manoa Matt ) he would be a good connection, and is a good fella also!

[manoa matt]

Whoa, Brah, I just noticed your location. Sweet. I also got a 78. We should meet up. Matt (808) 206-1978 Would be more than glad to help out, and have tons of parts too.

[boogiedude]

wow! didnt expect to find anyone from the islands on here, and ya that would be great to have someone to ask for advice out here, since i am very new to fiats

[manoa matt]

Did you just pick up that yellow 78 from kailua that needed brake and exhaust work? That was a good deal.

[boogiedude]

yup, thats the one haha, its in amazing condition, paint is immaculate except for being a little dull after all the years, no rust on the body, engine purrs like new