Re: [alfa] 105 Benditalia Brake Boosters

[Mark Battley <M.Battley@xxxxxxxxxx>]

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Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 18:54:08 EDT
From: RBSHARER@domain.elided
Subject: Re: [alfa] 105 Benditalia Brake Boosters

Biba,
I should have "replied all" to the thread. Of course I don't mind. I also 
should have mentioned that in the process of working out this lockup
problem, I 
replaced the four calipers. After disconnecting the boosters, I also
replaced 
the master cylinder - figured that I might as well do the whole system. The 
first time the lockup happened, I was at the stop sign next to the
inspection 
station - went to take off in first, and the car wouldn't move. Tried
reverse and 
it would barely move. Checked what I could, then called AAA for a tow - 
arrrrggg! When we arrived back home - three blocks - the car rolled off the
flatbed 
just fine. I tested it in the driveway, and the same lockup happened. Waited

a bit, and it would move. Someone suggested removing the vacuum line, and 
that's where I am. So it looks like I need a repair kit. In the IAP catalog,
they 
list a major kit for the 7" diaphragm and an air valve kit. Are either of 
these what you referred to? Thanks for the assistance.

Bruce Sharer
Raleigh, NC

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Spent a loooong time chasing similar symptoms - turned out to be the short
90deg rubber hose that connects the external airvalve on the booster to the
hard pipe that comes out of the vacuum chamber. When this hose gets soft
with age it can collapse under vacuum, and prevent the boosters from
releasing until the vacuum slowly bleeds away. If it does it again feel the
hose - it is obvious if it has collapsed. I got replacment hoses from
AlfaStop in the UK, but probably any 90 deg hise will do. As a short term
measure you can stick a smaller hose or spring inside the hose to stop it
collapsing.

Of course it can be more fundamental problems with the booster, typically in
the airvalve assembly. The local guy who rebuilds the boosters with
stainless liners adds a very light helper spring to the airvalve system to
ensure that it releases reliable, apparently similar boosters on other
slightly later vehicles had this standard.

Also had a brake lockup once after having the MC off - was just that the
pushrod from the pedal was adjusted a fraction too long to the MC piston
couldn't come back quite far enough. Make sure there is enough freeplay.

Good Luck,

Mark Battley
Auckland, New Zealand

1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce
1989 Fiat Uno Turbo
1999 Fiat Marea Wagon, 2.0 20V
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