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, mark.jones@exxonmobil.com 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
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