[alfa] rear brake pressure compensator

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Group:

A few weeks ago I discovered that the rear brake pressure compensator on my 
'74 Spider had metamorphosed into a solid piece of rust, and I replaced it 
with one I had over-nighted from IAP.  Seemingly, I'll never learn, and 
received a part that is perhaps questionable.  It's a different design, 
although made by Benditalia, and the in/out ports are not marked.  One end 
has provisions for a mounting bracket, so I modified the existing bracket 
(which was on the inlet side of the original part) and installed it that 
way.  I've never had much trouble bleeding Spider brakes, and I'm pretty 
darn sure that the system is free of air, but the pedal feels 
terrible.  Lots of travel, and very spongy, whereas before, on this Spider 
and on my '87, I've always been able to get it very firm.

BTW, the rest of the brake system, in its entirety, is almost-new; 
calipers, pads, rotors, MC, hard lines, SS flex hoses, all only have a few 
thousand miles (or much less) on them.  The compensator froze suddenly, and 
resulted in poor braking, and a pedal that felt like it was bolted to the 
frame.

So, I called IAP and asked about the mounting orientation, and while I 
wasn't using a video-enabled connection, a blank stare was the response 
from my "sales advisor".  Anyone know the answer here, as to which port is 
in and which is out?  I certainly can't hang the thing just by the brake 
lines using the reverse orientation.  Would installing it backwards result 
in a spongy pedal?  According to IAP, this is a part that also fits the V6 
transaxle cars, so perhaps that's a clue to its orientation, but I've only 
got Spider's to look at.  Any help would be appreciated, before I remove 
the part and send it back.  Perhaps I should have taken one of you guys up 
on an offer to accept a good used part, and I am considering that, so feel 
free to offer again.  Now I'll need a bracket, too, as I had to cut the old 
one to fit the new part.  Thanks.


Regards,

Dean W. Cains
dwc@domain.elided

'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's
Lutz, FL 
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