spider brake compensator

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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81spider

spider brake compensator

Post by 81spider »

Any one had to replace one of these? I have an 81 spider, and the brake compensator is leaking. If anyone knows about this let me know if its going to be an easy task. Thanks, Rob
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

they are sort of a pain in the a** because of the location. Be sure to use a line wrench so you don't round off the nuts, and bleeding the system is a little tricky. You have to support the rear axle or leave the link to the compensator disconnected and pushed up to allow fluid flow to the calipers. Many owners have done away with the compensator
81spider

Post by 81spider »

Do you know how i can do away with the compensator?
Thanks
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

you could eliminate it by joining the two lines together with fittings in place of the compensator or eliminate the extra lines altogether.
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

I now have brake compensator bypass hoses in stock. Check out my website for info and price.
jdoktor

Post by jdoktor »

So what are the effects on the braking system resulting from removing/bypassing the compensator?
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

several people that have bypassed the compensator have told me that they haven't noticed any difference in braking. I find lots of compensators that have become frozen over time, resulting in almost no rear braking.
The danger in bypassing the compensator would be under extremely hard braking, that the rear could lock up when the rear of the car comes unweighted. I haven't seen that happen
spider2081
Patron 2024
Patron 2024
Posts: 3015
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT

Break Compensator

Post by spider2081 »

On the 81 LE I am working on the line feeding the compensator was bent back the rear hose that the output of the compensator goes to. This is a simple way to bypass it. If you are unhappy with the results you can bend it back and replace the compensator.
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

have you driven the car yet with the compensator bypassed?
lanciahf

Post by lanciahf »

I have mine disconnected for about a year+. I have not locked up the rears once. But my car is lowered with stiffer springs so I do not get much nose dive or tail lift. I drive the car only on sunny days and the fronts have Whoa Brakes installed. The car is perfectly stable. Not sure I would do he bypass if I had the stock springs on the car.

Ralph
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