brake work for my 308 | FerrariChat
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brake work for my 308

Discussion in '308/328' started by rickjaffe, Mar 18, 2005.

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  1. rickjaffe

    rickjaffe Formula Junior

    Mar 6, 2005
    363
    houston
    Full Name:
    richard jaffe
    #1 rickjaffe, Mar 18, 2005
    the brakes on the 308 gt4 I bought seem alittle weak. can't panic stop; even the guy who did the title inspection thought I should have them checked out. I checked the brake fluid; it's has the right level (though it appears pretty dark, almost the color of oil). one ferrari guy thought they were ok; he said that old ferrari's don't brake all that well. but I tested out anothr 308 and the braking was much,much better.
    I've gone through the service manual and it looks like the brake system is pretty standard. My question is do I need a ferrari mechanic to go through the system or can any good mechanic who does alot of brakes on modern cars do the job. If possible I'd rather use regular, less expensive mechanics on things that aren't ferrari specific. obvioulsy I wouldn't have a regular mechanic do anything to the engine, but what about something like this. what can a good mechanic without much ferrari experience screw up on checking things like blocked lines, pad wear etc?
     
  2. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Jan 20, 2004
    40,527
    Purgatory
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    Clifford Gunboat
    #2 UroTrash, Mar 18, 2005
    Being the world's cheapest man, what I'd do is:

    Buy a Mighty-Vac for $40, 6 bottles of fluid, enlist my teenager to "push down the pedal and DON'T let go 'til I say so" and change the fluid myself.
    Check the pads, joints, shocks while I'm there.


    http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=KAL_35-5904


    Edit: Plus/minus on the teenager with the Mighty Vac. Maybe use them to keep the reservoir full :)
     
  3. FourCam

    FourCam Formula Junior

    May 19, 2004
    411
    Greeley, Colorado
    Full Name:
    Cameron MacArthur
    #3 FourCam, Mar 18, 2005
    No reason you can't do it yourself, with a little help...Assuming your master cylinder is in good shape (no vacuum leaks or fluid leaks), here is what I did for my 79 308. Measure the rotors with a caliper (you do have a caliper, or a micrometer, right?), if they are below spec, replace them. If they are thick enough, take them to someone with a brake lathe and have them turned (resurfaced). Buy new pads and inspect and clean your calipers. They may need some close attention or rebuild, but most can be salvaged. Reassemble everything and use brake cleaner (which won't leave a residue) to clean everything. Flush all the old fluid out with new fluid being careful not to let the reservoir go dry while doing so. Bleed the lines beginning with the one farthest from the master cylinder (RR) the LR, then RF, then LF. Inspect for leaks, drive gently for the first 50 or 100 miles to properly seat the pads, and then enjoy the fruits of your efforts! The bleeding process requires a second person to push the brake pedal and hold it while you are at each wheel well collecting air bubbles. When no more bubbles are present, air is out of the lines-but you need a jar and a rubber hose to accomplish this. Gross simplification here, but it really is doable...
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,134
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    Brian Crall
    #4 Rifledriver, Mar 18, 2005
    It is very common for Ferrari's of that vintage to have a booster go bad. Of the master/booster combo I have replaced far more for bad boosters than bad masters. Evreything feels fine, it just won't stop. You need Arnold S. on the brake pedal. If you can't lock up the tires pretty easily it's probably toast. You should ck the vacuum system also.
     
  5. rickjaffe

    rickjaffe Formula Junior

    Mar 6, 2005
    363
    houston
    Full Name:
    richard jaffe
    #5 rickjaffe, Mar 18, 2005
    I gues the brake booster is one of the outrageous ferrai specific parts. where do you get stuff like and and master cylinders?
     
  6. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 3, 2002
    6,081
    Southeast USA
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    Mike Charness
    #6 Mike C, Mar 18, 2005
    In the US, go to T. Rutlands/Maranello Auto Parts or GT Car Parts, or your friendly Ferrari dealer. If you're willing to order from overseas (I did last time for master cylinder) try http://www.superformance.co.uk/parts/dino3/brakes2k3.htm
     
  7. rickjaffe

    rickjaffe Formula Junior

    Mar 6, 2005
    363
    houston
    Full Name:
    richard jaffe
    #7 rickjaffe, Mar 19, 2005
    so what's the diagnostic test for a bad booster? is it a process of elimination after bleeding. more specifically on the problem; the brakes work, but the front's don't lock-up; have to do alittle more planning. also the second hard pedal push is stiff, harder than the first push. I checked the brake fluid level and it's ok, but brake color is brownish; Is there some test I can do to distinguish between master cyl and booster (or are they the same or same housing)
     
  8. LightGuy

    LightGuy Four Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 4, 2004
    45,721
    Texas
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    David
    #8 LightGuy, Mar 19, 2005
    If you dont feel comfortable doing this you may need a brake shop. I wouldnt go to a chain but to the little brake/suspension shop thats been around forever in your town. Ask your local parts stores who that would be. They do this for a living and can be quicker and better at diagnosing and fixing the problem. Brake work can be nasty, before the rotors are turned have them mike them in front of you, sometimes they will turn them too much.."So sorry, you need new rotors".
     
  9. pma1010

    pma1010 F1 Rookie

    Jul 21, 2002
    2,559
    Chicago
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    Philip
    #9 pma1010, Mar 19, 2005
    Booster should hold vacuum for a while after car is turned off. As you then pump the pedal, it will get higher and higher. If the booster has gone you won't be able to stop the car. You can buy new, used or get yours rebuilt. If you get stuck, shoot me a PM, I took mine off my car when I put on 355 brakes, balance bar etc for the track. It is in the basement along with all my other stuff.

    To check the MC, press gently on the brake pedal. If it sinks slowly to the floor the MC has gone. Ditto on the repair/replace. Don't buy used unless you are SURE it is good. YOu can get repaired or find new. Some people have had trouble with one of the rebuilders as they use a brass insert and this is subject to premature wear. SSBC can rebuild.

    No affiliation etc, just BTDT,
    Philip
     

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