That makes sense as to why the front (front right, actually) calipers were the hottest (they actually caught fire) but without something else, like a faulty master cylinder, how would that affect the others too - the rear right were also hot to the touch, and the brake pedal was firm at fully extended (at-rest-position). Note- I didn't check the left side brakes for temperature, as I was pulled over, and the road was busy, but I assumed that all four were grabbing because of the two I felt, and the firm brake pedal)
BTW, I'm based in Toronto, but the car is north of Oshawa (was in Georgetown, but it was moved the weekend of the fiasco) ;-D On Thu, 2006-10-05 at 07:59 -0400, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Hi David, > > I have a couple ideas as to what your problem may be. Since the car isn't > driven much it could be that the calipers are somewhat seized and once > applied are not "backing off" when the pedal is let off. Or, and I think > more probable, it could be that the rubber brake hoses have perished on the > inside and are restricting the flow of fluid to the extent that once you > let off the pedal the brakes are staying on. > > Just curious, where are you located? > > Mark Jones > Sarnia, ON > 1980 Spitfire 1500 > > > 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 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!
