Giulietta brake problem

[M.Battley@xxxxxxxxxx]

<I have a '62 Sprint Speciale with a weird brake problem. After 
<driving for about 10 minutes, the brakes, or at least one wheel's 
<brakes, seize up and the brake lights come on and there is no travel 
<at all in the brake pedal.

Does it happen without you touching the brakes, or as you use them?

I'm not familiar with the Giulietta brake system, but the fact that 
the brake lights are on is an important clue. I presume that the 
brake light switch is a pressure switch somewhere in the line as 
with the 105 series: whatever is causing the problem must be 
"upstream" of this. Master cylinder is a likely culprit. Is there 
enough freeplay between the pedal and the piston?

Does it have a vacuum booster? I had similar problems on the rear 
circuit of a twin booster RHD 105 GT Veloce. Non-releasing 
brakes, high and hard pedal. Turned out to be the booster: more 
specifically the small external air hose that goes from the air valve 
to the vacuum chamber. It was perished and was collapsing under 
vacuum, preventing the booster from releasing. Could be heat 
sensitive: the rubber will soften with increased engine bay 
temperature.

Unlikely to be a hose or caliper problem if the brake lights are on.

Good luck!
Mark Battley
Auckland, New Zealand

1974 2000 GT Veloce

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