(Apologies if this, or something like this, is duplicated. I sent it last week, and see no sign of it on the list, or in the archives)
Hey Listers! I don't drive my Spitfire much, but a few weeks ago, I had it out for a little spin, and I noticed that the brakes were grabbing a little. Last weekend, I took the cylinders off, and they looked clean. I re-bled the brakes, and took off. After more than a few "stop & go"'s the pedal was hard to the touch - no play, and as soon as I stepped on it, the brakes were obviously being applied. A few minutes later, the engine was straining more than it should have been on a hill. When I stopped, the brakes were so hot they were smoking, literally, and a lot! Obviously, the front brakes were hot. I checked the rear wheels, and they too were hot- the studs, which would transfer heat from the drums, were very hot to the touch. A friend indicated that I had boiling brake fluid. This makes sense to me- if any one of the brakes was adjusted too tight, it would heat up and create bubbles in the line, pushing back on my master cyl., brake pedal, and other cylinders, exacerbating the problem. If this is the case, I caught it just soon enough, as my wheels could still turn under the engine's power. Any concur? Disagree? Other theories? (Need more information?) What kind of brake fluid do I use? I must confess that I don't know. It's likely all DOT4, but there may be DOT3 in there. After this, I'm quite sure that I'll have to tear down the whole system to ensure that there is not damage to the calipers, fix the PWDA, and restore some confidence in my braking system. So, any comments on my problem, diagnosis, remedy, future prevention, writing style, or long absence?? Of course, I welcome all input... ;-David PS: Notable meeting with another Spit driver who happened across my driveway when I was preparing to set off- he lives in the next town, and had seen my car, but never a person around it. He owns a '73 Spitfire that he bought in '75. I mentioned the list to him, and will suggest that he get online with it when I re-contact him, as well as tell him about Joe's list and to make sure his vehicle is on it. Your messages not reaching the list? Check out http://www.team.net/posting.html === This list supported in part by The Vintage Triumph Register === http://www.vtr.org === Help keep Team.Net on the air === http://www.team.net/donate.html === unsubscribe/change address requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or try === http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool === Other lists available at === http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo === Archives at http://www.team.net/archive === http://www.team.net/the-local === Edit your replies!
