How to separate front caliper from bracket

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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Zoofly
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Posts: 129
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 4:14 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Los Angeles, CA

How to separate front caliper from bracket

Post by Zoofly »

I've just started the process of replacing the front brakes including rotors, calipers, and hoses. While I'm there I'm also going to check/replace/repack the bearings in the wheel hub. Spent several hours reading manuals and watching videos of the process. I ran into a little snag, and I think it's a pretty easy thing, but I cannot find any written material or videos to help me.

How do you separate the caliper from the bracket? The shop manual simply says, "separate the caliper from the bracket" but it doesn't appear obvious to me how that is done. I've removed the cotter pins and the locking blocks and this is where it says to "separate the caliper from the bracket." But it's still sorta locked in the bracket at this point. Is there suppose to be spring action to make this removal possible?

I finally just took the bracket off too since I was headed for the wheel hub anyways but I know I must be missing something. BTW, I've NEVER worked on cars before but I've had this car since the early 90's with it sitting for much of that time. It's back on the road and doing great but the front brakes started to lock up once in awhile so it's time to start checking the brakes. It might also be the MC but that will be answered soon enough.
2020 124 Spider Abarth
2019 Alpha Romeo Stelvio - sold
1977 Triumph Spitfire
2017 Fiat 124 Spider Classica - sold
1999 Jaguar XK8 - sold
1998 BMW Z3 - sold
1988 Pontiac Fiero - sold
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geospider
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Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:07 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000
Location: concord, ca

Re: How to separate front caliper from bracket

Post by geospider »

soak with PB Blaster, a little nudge with a hammer. I am sure just some old rust and grime.
clean them up, hit with some paint and will be great.
geo
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Zoofly
Patron 2020
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Posts: 129
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 4:14 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: How to separate front caliper from bracket

Post by Zoofly »

I'll give that a try when I do the passenger side. Thanks
2020 124 Spider Abarth
2019 Alpha Romeo Stelvio - sold
1977 Triumph Spitfire
2017 Fiat 124 Spider Classica - sold
1999 Jaguar XK8 - sold
1998 BMW Z3 - sold
1988 Pontiac Fiero - sold
DieselSpider
Posts: 2130
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: How to separate front caliper from bracket

Post by DieselSpider »

I usually push the slides out which if they are rusted in will take a little effort. If its stuck that badly then you will likely have issues with hot dragging brakes along with accelerated pad and rotor wear so you really need to get things separated and moving as they should.
tima01864
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Posts: 702
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:01 pm
Your car is a: 1983 FIAT Pininafarina Spider 2000
Location: Wilmington, MA

Re: How to separate front caliper from bracket

Post by tima01864 »

If you decide to crack the bleeder, use a five point socket. Soak with PB Blaster overnight and then carefully turn, Hopefully they are not frozen. If the bleeder breaks hang it up and get new calipers.
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