So you think your Spider has a handbrake problem
-
So Cal Mark
Re: So you think your Spider has a handbrake problem
I think it was just due for a thorough washing. Watch for it on ebay soon
-
4babycar
Re: So you think your Spider has a handbrake problem
This one time in Madison Heights.........
Back when I was in high school and knew very little about cars (not that I know all that much more now), I had told my father that the hand brake on my 81 wasn't working well. He said he would get to it but kept putting it off. Well our house was on a hill with a long paved driveway with two large brick planter beds at the end on both sides. Well one day while I was out with friends (not in the car) the parking brake finally gave way and my little car drove itself to the base of the drive way and planted itself perfectly on top of the planter. All 4 wheels were in the air and the undercarriage was resting comfortably on the inpatients. The interesting part was that between my father and a neighbor they were able to lift and slide the entire car off of the planter and drive it back to the top of driveway and to a level spot in the yard. Surprisingly the only damage was mild scuffing of the rear differential and of the rocker panels. I can't say as much for the planters or the inpatients. I know it isn't quite as dramatic as at the bottom of a pool but a funny story none-the-less.
By the way, did I mention that I had just gotten a new girlfriend? Typical jealous FIAT!
Back when I was in high school and knew very little about cars (not that I know all that much more now), I had told my father that the hand brake on my 81 wasn't working well. He said he would get to it but kept putting it off. Well our house was on a hill with a long paved driveway with two large brick planter beds at the end on both sides. Well one day while I was out with friends (not in the car) the parking brake finally gave way and my little car drove itself to the base of the drive way and planted itself perfectly on top of the planter. All 4 wheels were in the air and the undercarriage was resting comfortably on the inpatients. The interesting part was that between my father and a neighbor they were able to lift and slide the entire car off of the planter and drive it back to the top of driveway and to a level spot in the yard. Surprisingly the only damage was mild scuffing of the rear differential and of the rocker panels. I can't say as much for the planters or the inpatients. I know it isn't quite as dramatic as at the bottom of a pool but a funny story none-the-less.
By the way, did I mention that I had just gotten a new girlfriend? Typical jealous FIAT!
-
So Cal Mark
Re: So you think your Spider has a handbrake problem
some years ago, I was test driving a customers' Spider, I pulled up in front of the shop, put it in neutral, yanked the handbrake on and went into the shop to get something. I came back out and the Spider was gone. I accused a couple of the mechanics of playing a joke on me by moving the car. Everyone plead innocent. I started looking around and found the car across the street, out in the field. Luckily it hadn't hit anything 
-
SpiderHead
Re: So you think your Spider has a handbrake problem
Interestingly enough, I seem to be having quite the oposite problem right now.
I was on my way to my folks house in Fullerton to play some golf with my Dad on the 4th, when quite unexpectedly on the freeway the car felt like it was losing power. I down shifted and it just got worse. I pulled off of the freeway, and it became obvious that the rear brakes were engaged. I pulled into a McDonalds parking lot to inspect it. My rear brakes were smoking heavily, and were fully engaged. The handle had not been pulled, and it seemed to happen spontaniously while on the freeway. Wierd.
Resolved to the fact that I was going to miss my tee-time, I went inside to grab a bite and give it some thought. While doing this obviously the pads and disk would be allowed to cool off a bit as well.
The only time I had ever heard of this happening was on my fathers Austin Healey, after it had been sitting for a little over a decade. The rear drums would engage when he braked normally, then would not diss-engage readily. The only "fix", was to put it in reverse, and back up a few feet.
I didn't really think it would help, but it wouldn't hurt to try it right? So I finished my crappy breakfast sandwich, ate my "hashbrowns" in three bites, and took my coffee out to the car. After rocking back and forth a few times, the brakes kicked loose!
Keep this in mind folks!
I made my tee-time, and the weekend was saved!
-Ryan
ps, I haven't even engaged the hand brake since then.. lol I'm replacing the whole kit next weekend anyway, including the cable.
I was on my way to my folks house in Fullerton to play some golf with my Dad on the 4th, when quite unexpectedly on the freeway the car felt like it was losing power. I down shifted and it just got worse. I pulled off of the freeway, and it became obvious that the rear brakes were engaged. I pulled into a McDonalds parking lot to inspect it. My rear brakes were smoking heavily, and were fully engaged. The handle had not been pulled, and it seemed to happen spontaniously while on the freeway. Wierd.
Resolved to the fact that I was going to miss my tee-time, I went inside to grab a bite and give it some thought. While doing this obviously the pads and disk would be allowed to cool off a bit as well.
The only time I had ever heard of this happening was on my fathers Austin Healey, after it had been sitting for a little over a decade. The rear drums would engage when he braked normally, then would not diss-engage readily. The only "fix", was to put it in reverse, and back up a few feet.
I didn't really think it would help, but it wouldn't hurt to try it right? So I finished my crappy breakfast sandwich, ate my "hashbrowns" in three bites, and took my coffee out to the car. After rocking back and forth a few times, the brakes kicked loose!
Keep this in mind folks!
I made my tee-time, and the weekend was saved!
-Ryan
ps, I haven't even engaged the hand brake since then.. lol I'm replacing the whole kit next weekend anyway, including the cable.