I called level 2 ordering to find out price & availability for a M/C rebuild
kit ($25, 6-8 in stock, if memory serves) and when the TRF employee
answered, I thought it was still the phone system... apparently John Swauger
(sp?) is the "voice" of the phone system as well as a higher-up at TRF, and
all around swell guy. I explained my symptom to him, and while he admitted
that the M/C or PDWA could be causes, he suggested I check the metal brake
lines before buying any parts.
(Amazing, a parts place suggesting you NOT buy parts :) because they do
recognize the feelings you get when your expensive new part doesn't fix the
problem)
So once I got home today, I pumped the daylights out of the brakes and
looked for a puddle. Right rear. I'm thinking to myself,"that was a BRAND
NEW rubber line, and a BRAND NEW rear cylinder." Both true, but the nut on
the steel line that runs from the rubber hose to the rear cylinder must have
loosened about 1/2 turn. Maybe even a full turn. I tightened it down,
retightened all of the other rear nuts, and the PDWA even went back to
normal.
The BRAKE light is now out!
Even better, John told me that TRF received their Spit catalogs from the
printers and mailed them out last week. If you're not in their system as a
Spitfire owner, you'll probably need to request one.
So, has anyone received a Spitfire catalog from TRF yet?
Gregory W. Smith http://www.cvn.net/~gsmith
Member, Central Pennsylvania Triumph Club
1980 Spitfire 1500 "for the wife" WITH WORKING BRAKES!!!!!
1980 TR7 Spider v8 (in progress)
1980 TR7 30th Anniversary Edition (deceased)
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-spitfires@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-spitfires@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Gregory W. Smith
Sent: Sunday, April 04, 1999 4:03 PM
To: Sam Gentry; spitfires@Autox. Team. Net
Subject: RE: BRAKE Light... (Updates)
As I said before, the rear cylinders were BRAND NEW last fall. I suppose
they could be defective, but I plan on looking elsewhere first.
The entire system was flushed with 91% isopropyl alcohol prior to
replacement of parts, then filled and bled with DOT silicon fluid.
The brake behaviour is the same all of the time; they do not "pump up" to a
better operation.
The BRAKE light goes out if I disconnect the lead that runs to the
(proportioning valve?) aluminum cylinder with 2 pipes in and 2 pipes out
mounted on the firewall.
The BRAKE light behaviour does not change regardless of parking brake
engagement or disengagement.
Gregory W. Smith http://www.cvn.net/~gsmith
Member, Central Pennsylvania Triumph Club
1980 Spitfire 1500 "for the wife" :)
1980 TR7 Spider v8 (in progress)
1980 TR7 30th Anniversary Edition (deceased)
-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Gentry [mailto:hsgentry@cfw.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 04, 1999 12:23 PM
To: Gregory W. Smith; spitfires@Autox. Team. Net
Subject: Re: BRAKE Light...
Are sure your rear brakes are working? You may not be able to tell much
difference. Be sure the rear reservoir is full and look for leaks around
the slave cylinders.
Sam
At 08:56 AM 4/4/1999 -0400, Gregory W. Smith wrote:
>
>In the first day of driving the Spitfire this year, the BRAKE light is on,
>and the brakes work, but seem to wait till near the bottom of the pedal
>travel to engage. Hoses, rear cylinders, and pads/shoes were replaced last
>year. I rebuilt the master cylinder. I am using DOT5 fluid. The fluid level
>in the master cylinder is normal.
>
>Any ideas?
>
>Gregory W. Smith http://www.cvn.net/~gsmith
>Member, Central Pennsylvania Triumph Club
>1980 Spitfire 1500 "for the wife" :)
>1980 TR7 Spider v8 (in progress)
>1980 TR7 30th Anniversary Edition (deceased)
>
|