Brake Job Details

[pc124]

I have completed the disassembly. 1978 124 Spider.

From the brake fluid reservior to the master cylinder it has 2 different types of hoses and 3 different types of hose clamps. But fixing the work done 30 years ago at a gas station Spokane is part of the fun.

Anyway...

1) What type of lubricant is proper for the caliper blocking plates?

2) Any other lubricants that are recommended during reassembly?

3) My rear calipers are Fiat parts, they match, but I have 2 types of blocking plates -- in plan view (a) is rectangular and (b) is oblong and 8 sided -- which is correct?

4) My front calipers are mismatched, one is a Fiat part, the other is not -- that kinda bothers me -- are remanufactured Fiat parts out there for sale? Or does anyone have a left front OE caliper (complete) for sale?

5) Front blocking plates, same question as item 3 above, what does the correct blocking plate for a Fiat front caliper look like? Mine look like those described as item 3(b) above, but with slots running lengthwise.

6) I did not expect to find wheel spacers, is that normal?

Thanks

[manoa matt]

1. High temp brake grease. In the little "ketchup" packet near the counter at the parts store will be plenty to do all four wheels. You only need to lube the caliper wedges.

2. Anti-seize on the caliper mounting bracket bolts.

3. There are several designs of the caliper wedges, but all should fit, and it should not matter.

4. As long as they stop the car you should be ok, but check to see if the pistons is the same size. Yes, remanufactured brake calipers are out there and some of your local parts stores will have better prices than the Fiat vendors. I have three sets that have been recently rebuilt if you are interested, in addition to countless caliper wedges and pad springs.

5. See #3, but I've never seen wedges with slots running lengthwise, maybe to hold grease. Do the slots look homemade?

6. Those 5mm thick steel wheel spacers are stock.

matt.scarton@gmail.com

[124cso]

By "caliper blocking plates", i assume you mean the caliper wedges that slide in parallel to the axle, to fix the caliper into the mount and kept in place by the spring wire clips ?

I just use a smear of an anti-sieze compound like Kop-r-kote on each bearing face. Wipe it on with one finger and virtually wipe it off again with same finger. Squeeze out 3/32'" stub from the tube and that should be ample for both sides of one wedge.

[robmorais]

Advance Auto Parts has remanu calipers for about $35. The only problem is that they use a really poor company to do it so you may need to try a few to get one that works. MAKE sure you check that the bleed screw turns and that the brake line screw hole face is flat and will seal well. I had to order 3 to get one that worked... You can also bring yours to a re-builder and they can do it for the same $35. There is a guy here in Detroit that ONLY does rebuilds - if your interested I can try and dig up his number.

Rob

[htchevyii]

Be careful with the reman calipers. I thought that with something as important as brakes that they would not dare risk selling a inferior part. Boy was I wrong, after 3 or 4 junk A-1 Cardone remans from Kragen I rebuilt my old ones. One had exactly 2 good threads holding the bleeder screw, One had a crappy insert for the bleeder and it looked like they bead or sand blasted everything including the bores and groves that retained the seals. The pistions were much looser in the bores than my old ones. Scary

[pc124]

Thanks for all the help.

I bought caliper wedges from a forum member. Same for one of the hard brake lines. I am going to try the compensator bypass, I will let you know how it goes.

I bought reman Fiat front calipers from these guys: http://www.automobilia.nl/.

I am also on a mission to replace hoses of every variety under the hood, some of which have never been replaced.

Thanks to all who are providing answers and parts.