Rear brake caliper

[spider2081]

I have various Fiat repair Manuals including the original Spider Service Manual (3 ring binder). After reading them all I am confused in how to set the piston on the rear calipers with respect to the bleeder valve. The factory Manual states " Reference mark "A" must be on the side of bleed screw or system cannot be bleed properly and brake action will be irregular." yet the diagram below the statement shows the reference line on top and the bleed screw on the bottom. Another manual states " screw the piston until it is properly installed with the mark cut on the piston opposite the bleed connection." It's photo shows the reference mark and the bleed screw both on top. To me if they were to be opposite one would be on top and one would be on the bottom. Can anyone tell me the correct position of the reference mark with respect to the bleed screw

[eddy314]

That's funny, I just rebuilt my rear calipers and my manual had the same ambiguous statement and conflicting picture. I just screwed my piston in as far as it could go and then turned it out just enough so the slot on the piston could fit on the brake pad. It seems to be working fine. At least for now. My opinion was that it didn't matter which side the mark was on.

[narfire]

Crikey is this a timely thred or what...
I just removed the rear calipers from the axle that is sitting on a bench at the shop. Knowing about the lines on the rear pistons I notice one was up and one was down. I had not driven the car previously, as it is a " rescue" and being rebuilt, but thought about what your talking about and sctatched my skull (no hair).
All I can suggest is give a reputable repair shop , or I'm sure several here will chime in I hope, a call and find out what works.
I put both lines up on my 80 that I currently drive and the car stops just fine.

[Foster48x]

I also have both lines up on my 80's rear calipers and haven't had any problems with braking.

Rick

[So Cal Mark]

the position of the lines won't affect braking, merely the ease of bleeding the system

[Foster48x]

Mark, so should they be on the top or the bottom?