Getting ready to do the brakes..

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

      Spider brakes are simple.  Both front and rear retract nicely when 
spread with a screwdriver.  Just tap the lock pins out toward the inside of 
the car with a drift, remove the cross bar, and spread the caliper to replace 
the pad.
      Rather than push the dirty brake fluid back into the master cylinder, I 
like to have someone hold the brake pedal down.  Then open the bleeder to 
squirt the fluid out when you push the pad back.  Replace one pad, push the 
other pad back and replace that one.
      Be glad you do not have a Milano, Alfetta or GTV-6.  The rear brakes on 
the transaxle cars are a night mare.

       By the way, buy a shop manual anyway.  You will need it.  Alfa never 
did publish one workshop manual covering all systems prior to the mid 1980's. 
 You should buy several after market manuals as none are as complete as they 
could be.  Also, almost everything in the mid 1980's spider manual reprinted 
by IAP and other will also apply to your car except for the fuel injection.  
Engine, transmission, rear end, suspension, etc., are all the same for all 
spiders after 1972.

Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City


In a message dated 05/27/2002 2:07:21 PM Central Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:


> Date: Mon, 27 May 2002 00:22:31 -0500 (CDT)
> From: "Gregory S. Youngblood" <greg@domain.elided>
> Subject: Getting ready to do the brakes...
> 
> I'm planning on replacing the pads and rotors tomorrow. Unfortunately I
> wasn't able to get a book in time (and I did enjoy reading a couple of
> books about Alfa's in the book store -- my "favorite" was a guide to
> imported cars (to the US) that used "Alpha Romeo" as the title headings,
> but used "Alfa Romeo" in the text for the cars).
> 
> I've done brakes on other cars and think I should be able to handle this
> job without any surprises. That is, unless there is something special
> about the brakes on a 1974 spider that I should know about.
> 
> I'm used to using a C-Clamp to slowly push the piston in on front disk
> brakes. The only other car I've worked on that had rear disk brakes had a
> screw-in piston that you did not use the c-clamp on, but did require
> patience and a little brake fluid to turn the piston.
> 
> I'm assuming the Spider's brakes are going to be pretty typical and not
> overly complicated. Is this a safe assumption, or should I bag this
> project until I get a real shop book for the car?
> 
> Thanks,
> Greg
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