Hi, this is Martin in Ohio. My Fiat is a 1981 124 Spider with FI.


Recently, rebuilt brakes including rotors, pads, calipers, lines, master cylinder, compensator valve and of course all the fluid. Also, adjusted the acorn at the servo.


My problem didn't get better. The brake pedal travel is about 4 inches before the pads engage. Same as before all the above work.


Don't feel this is "normal" but not finding advice or a good solution.
Hoping a Fiat owner can advise me on how to get a higher brake pedal.
Right now, I'm sure if I made a panic stop, I would lose brakes before the pedal hits the end of its travel.


Thanks,


Martin

You could try clamping off all 4 brake hoses at the calipers and see if you have a normal travel brake pedal. If not ,then there is likely still air in the system or a problem with the master cylinder or linkage adjustment..

If pedal travel is normal, try releasing the brake hose clamps one at a time , trying the pedal each time to find which brake/brakes are causing the increased pedal travel. I'd nearly expect the problem to be with the rear brakes.

These cars need to have the brakes bled with the rear axle supported, not hanging or alternatively with the compensator valve held open. Also the rear caliper pistons have to be correctly aligned so that the brake can be bled.There should be a line across the piston just above the deep groove that fits over the spud on the back of the brake pad(remove caliper to check) and this line should be uppermost,otherwise caliper won't bleed.

Handbrake also needs to be carefully set up to ensure good handbrake(parking or emergency brake in US) performance as well as normal pedal travel.

Not a good idea to mess with the acorn at the servo unless you have the correct setting figure to hand.

I wouldn't advise using this car until the brake problem is solved, it sounds like only the front brakes are being applied and the problem is with the rears.

Hope this helps, come back if you have more questions and let us know how you get on.

Al.

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www.international-auto.com