Restoration stopped by brake issues!
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:00 am
I have been working on and off on getting a 73 spider on the road as it hasn’t run for about 25 years. Currently I have it at my mechanics who is the PO. The current problem is we cannot bleed the rear brakes. The front brakes work fine. My mechanic says it is the distribution block valve under the hood. He calls it a proportioning valve. It is necessary because if the brakes leak it will still allow brake fluid to flow to the other brakes so you can get stopped and fix the problem. The rational is that after sitting for 25 years the fluid has solidified and clogged the valve. We did get a lot of dirty fluid out of the front bleeder but now it runs clean brake fluid. See picture.
I called AR and got Csaba. He knew immediately what part I was describing and explained it’s use and interestingly the history of the part which was used on the early models and discontinued after 2-3 years and replaced with a float. He advised me to bypass it and hook up the left front brake using a longer brake line. He said I may be able to get one locally from the Fiat club. He made me feel pretty good and assured me if I couldn’t get the parts he would find one for me. The rear brake line is long enough to attach to the master cylinder. He mentioned this was a hard part to find brand new. He also mentioned to go to this form and read the details which I did.
I did find this part on another vendor’s website. It is used and the vendor states: Condition: USED (8 of 10)
Good used condition. Should be disassembled and cleaned internally before installation.
I met with mechanic and explained what I learned. He said he would not by pass this valve as it was a intricate part on all cars for safety reasons. He was not for buying a used one and cleaning it as this would not guarantee it will work. I have been looking on the net for a new one with no luck. In the interim I got an e-mail from Ramzi telling me he had by passed his but that if I wanted he would search for a new one. Talk about customer service.
I went to see my mechanic...by the way he is a great guy and told him I was postings my issue on this form and would e-mail him the results. Thanks for any and all explanations.
I called AR and got Csaba. He knew immediately what part I was describing and explained it’s use and interestingly the history of the part which was used on the early models and discontinued after 2-3 years and replaced with a float. He advised me to bypass it and hook up the left front brake using a longer brake line. He said I may be able to get one locally from the Fiat club. He made me feel pretty good and assured me if I couldn’t get the parts he would find one for me. The rear brake line is long enough to attach to the master cylinder. He mentioned this was a hard part to find brand new. He also mentioned to go to this form and read the details which I did.
I did find this part on another vendor’s website. It is used and the vendor states: Condition: USED (8 of 10)
Good used condition. Should be disassembled and cleaned internally before installation.
I met with mechanic and explained what I learned. He said he would not by pass this valve as it was a intricate part on all cars for safety reasons. He was not for buying a used one and cleaning it as this would not guarantee it will work. I have been looking on the net for a new one with no luck. In the interim I got an e-mail from Ramzi telling me he had by passed his but that if I wanted he would search for a new one. Talk about customer service.
I went to see my mechanic...by the way he is a great guy and told him I was postings my issue on this form and would e-mail him the results. Thanks for any and all explanations.