what the hell is wrong with my brakes?

[htchevyii]

So, you know how some projects (and project cars), go easy and with others everything that can go wrong does? Well, it seems that the '82 Spider was the easy one and my '72 is posessed! I've been fighting the brakes for a while and thought I'd actually won, but no such luck.

Here's the history: I rebuild the front calipers, replaced the m/cyl and frt hoses, (rear stuff old). I had a really hard time getting pedal and getting fluid from the right frt caliper. I used the vacuum pump and finally got fluid. After messing with it for days, I left the caps off of the reservoirs and finally got a big a big pocket of air, rebled all four wheels and nothing but soild fluid.
Test drive: Brakes barely work and pull. Booster is bad and causes a vacuum leak, so I pinch off the line. I figure that the old rear calipers are the problem, so I replaces them with remans, (frt calipers and frt pads+ new hoses). Bled the hell out of everything and went for a drive. The brakes are just a horrible as ever and barely work, if I pump them several times. I installed Russel Speed Bleeders and pumped a whole bottle of fluid thru the system and saw no air. Still no workie.

Tonight I pulled off the booster and master, (yes, the fluid is doing a wonderful job ruining my new underhood paint). I bought a booster overhaul kit from P/F that I have yet to install, but am not sure where else to go from here. Even with the bad booster, the brakes should work and the brakes did work when I got the car, (although I didn't drive it). Has anyone had issues with the proportioning valve? I've still got the crusty old m/cyl, but i don't really want to put back on. I'm really ready to be done with this and it's really pissing me off Any ideas?

[mdrburchette]

Trey, we just automatically replaced and adjusted the proportioning valve when we did the brakes on my 72. Are you sure the m/c is good? I had an issue with my 71 where the mc was leaking into the brake booster.

[kilrwail]

Trey - Have you read all the threads in the "Suspension" forum about brake problems like you're having? You are not alone Support the rear axle as high as you can; lower the front end until the rotors are barely off the floor; bleed away with an assistant. There is still air in your system - either in the calipers or the master cylinder - that's the reason your pedal gets harder after pumping it. Try leaving all the bleeders open for several hours so gravity can do the work for you. Then bleed some more. Good luck!

[narfire]

I did what Peter recomended to get air out of the MC but I also ended up fiddling with the acorn nut on the booster to get the MC to push fluid. I'd like to think the MC's have the same clearance specs, but I ended turning mine out 1 turn and then I had some brake,turned one more and spot on,got brake now.
When someone pumps are you getting fluid at the fronts? Rears? try bleeding with your assistant pushing the pedal.
These can be frustrating (read Katsi's trials and tribulations)
Good luck

[mbouse]

cuz i don't stand a chance of needing to pay off... i bet

i bet that the fifth brake hose (under the center of the car, forward of the rear axle) is leaking. pumps up fine, but tests for shit. the leak has not been big enough to notice on the floor yet, and not big enough yet to suck air in.

[kmead]

cuz i don't stand a chance of needing to pay off... i bet

i bet that the fifth brake hose (under the center of the car, forward of the rear axle) is leaking. pumps up fine, but tests for shit. the leak has not been big enough to notice on the floor yet, and not big enough yet to suck air in.

Now how would you know a thing like that?

[htchevyii]

Trey - Have you read all the threads in the "Suspension" forum about brake problems like you're having? You are not alone Support the rear axle as high as you can; lower the front end until the rotors are barely off the floor; bleed away with an assistant. There is still air in your system - either in the calipers or the master cylinder - that's the reason your pedal gets harder after pumping it. Try leaving all the bleeders open for several hours so gravity can do the work for you. Then bleed some more. Good luck!

Ya, I tried all the tricks and read the threads, (I think that's what jinxed me ). I've bled 2 quarts of fluid thru the system, using an assistant, one man bleeder, vacuum pump and finally Speed Bleeders. I haven't seen an air bubble in days. Currently I've got the master and booster off, (the booster is a story of it's own). Once I get the booster issue dealt with I'll bench bleed the master and try again. That acorn nut is another issue. I don't remember what brand master I used on the '82, but it wasn't an issue. I got this one from IAP and tried to adjust the nut as per the instructions. I've messed with it several times since then, so who knows wher I'm at now?

[mbouse]

Now how would you know a thing like that?

cuz i am hungry and need lunch?
cuz i spent more time than one would normally think necessary on one specific Spider brake system?
cuz it happened to me?


or, all of the above.

at the very least, my adventures with my Spiders will be conversation pieces for the rest of my life...