Spider brakes

[Bill Bain <BBain@domain.elided>]

New rotors, new pads on '83 Spider with soft brake pedal and parking brake
problems.

Parking brake 1st.  The parking brake doesn't grab the rear rotors
caliper-style, it has 4 drum-type shoes that are behind the rear rotor.  The
pads could be worn out, but more likely the cable to the lever has
stretched.  The shop manual has the procedure for adjusting the cable and I
can scan it and email it to you if needed.  The drum pads are a real pain to
replace and relatively expensive (~$60 for the 4 needed) so try the cable
adjustment 1st.

Soft pedal:  Since the system is hydraulic, there are no routine adjustments
to make (AFAIK).  The rotors can be replaced without opening the brake
lines.  Did the shop replace the fluid?  If not, it's possible that all the
brakes need to be is properly bled.  The bleeding technique is pretty
standard but it takes a LOT of fluid to make sure all the bubbles are out.
Many folks, myself included, like Castrol LMA.  


Bill Bain
AROC Atlanta
'83 Spider 

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