Georgia Fiero Club Forum

All Things Fiero => Tech Tips, Tech Questions => Topic started by: Donster on August 08, 2011, 08:13:39 am

Title: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on August 08, 2011, 08:13:39 am
Seems that we both developed an issue on the same day;
The 84's brakes became spongy, although we just had them checked and bled recently, Anne says that every once-in-a-while she has to pump her brake pedal before getting resistance on the pedal, and her clutch pedal had a lot of tolerance (1/4 way down), before she felt resistance.

On the same day (driving to Dean's open house), my clutch pedal went all the way to the floor without any resistance and and the clutch would not engage.

AeroDonamic checked for leaks, nothing - I checked again at home, nothing.

As the brakes are more of a safety issue, I'm more worried about them, but of course I want both issues resolved, especially befor RFTH.
Does anyone have any ideas what could be causing these issues?

\D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Fierofool on August 08, 2011, 08:34:24 am
I don't have any ideas on the brakes other than air in the system.  As for the clutch, different cars have different engagement points and different amounts of resistance on the pedal.  My 88 is very soft compared to my 87 and your 85 is somewhere between the two. 

Do you mean the 85's clutch wouldn't engage enough to make the car move? 
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: TopNotch on August 08, 2011, 09:05:50 am
Parking brake adjustment (http://gafiero.org/docs/FieroBrakeAdjustment.pdf).
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on August 08, 2011, 10:03:10 am

Do you mean the 85's clutch wouldn't engage enough to make the car move?

The pedal just went all the way down to the floor without doing anything (zero resistance) and I could not shift (no engagement)

\D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on August 08, 2011, 10:04:26 am
Parking brake adjustment (http://gafiero.org/docs/FieroBrakeAdjustment.pdf).

You think the e-brake has something to do with it?

\D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: TopNotch on August 08, 2011, 11:56:12 am
The service bulletin says it can.
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Fierofool on August 08, 2011, 12:09:41 pm
Parking brake adjustment (http://gafiero.org/docs/FieroBrakeAdjustment.pdf).

You think the e-brake has something to do with it?

\D

It could with the brake, not the clutch.  Did the clutch start working again? or did you get stranded.  How is the fluid level in the master cylinders of both the brakes and the clutch?  Give me a shout later and we'll see if we can figure it out.
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: TopNotch on August 08, 2011, 12:13:43 pm
The service bulletin says it can.

I was talking about the spongy brake issue...
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on August 08, 2011, 12:15:07 pm
Clutch pedal only failed me once on the way to Dean's on Saturday. My brakes don't really have an issue, only the brakes on the 84.

Don checked my levels and the master in the back. From the outside, all seems ok

\D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on August 08, 2011, 12:15:49 pm
The service bulletin says it can.
\D

I was talking about the spongy brake issue...

Gottcha

\D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Raydar on August 08, 2011, 05:49:47 pm
For the clutch issue...
Pull back the rubber boot from the end of the slave where the pushrod comes out. If there is no fluid in the boot (or leaked out anywhere else) the the problem will be with the master.
Pull back the carpet from under the dash, where the master pushrod goes through. Sometimes fluid can leak there, too.
For whatever reason, it sounds like the master piston bypassed the fluid for that one pedal stroke. Might be a piece of grit or something got caught and then got washed away to... elsewhere.

If you have to replace the master (or slave) get one of Rodney Dickman's units. They are easily the best quality units I have ever seen. (At least the master is. Haven't seen one of his slaves yet.)
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Fierofool on August 08, 2011, 06:46:13 pm
The slave on the 85 isn't that old.  I put it on when I swapped to the Isuzu.  If it's the slave leaking, just pick up the MR2 slave rebuild kit for about $10 and install it. 

I have both a Dickman master and slave cylinder on the 87 and they work great.  I've rebuilt 2 slaves with the MR2 kit and they work great, also. 
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on August 08, 2011, 06:54:16 pm
I'll check everything when I get home tonight

\D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on August 09, 2011, 12:24:25 am
Got home and checked for leaks on both of them, couldn't find any. Levels on both are full, so right now it's a mystery.
Any place good to have them checked? I'm thinking about going to Tires Plus, as they have been doing great work for us on all of our cars.

\D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Fierofool on August 09, 2011, 07:11:13 am
As they say, Why go to the mountain when the mountain is coming to your place on Saturday? 
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on August 09, 2011, 08:41:51 am
Good point - hehe ;D

\D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on August 10, 2011, 05:50:09 pm
Today, Anne could not get a gear in on the 84 (Muncy MY8), just wouldn't budge, even with the clutch pedal all the way down.
She let the car set for a moment and then all gears shifted fine.

Shift cables worn? Clutch worn out?
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on September 26, 2011, 07:07:36 am
OK, so here are all the things we have done to the 84 - starting a week before RFTH up to yesterday:
New clutch master AND slave (Lee)
New brake master and proportioning valve (Lee)
At this point the problem seemed to be about 85% resolved, brakes are good but shifting was still difficult at times.
Yesterday I replaced both shift cables with new Rodney Dickman's and Anne says the car shifts like butter now.

At this rate, I'll just about have replaced everything replaceable on the car by the end of the year ;D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on October 14, 2011, 05:05:31 pm
Update on the 84 ;D
New master & slave clutch cylinder
New clutch
New throw-out bearings
New shift cables
New master brake cylinder
New brake proportioning valve
New motor mounts
New metal clutch pedal
New valve stem seals

All of this thanks to Lee Arnette. Should have it back tomorrow, Lee is currently bolting the engine/tranny/cradle back into the car

So now there really isn't much more we haven't replaced yet ;D
Hope to have it painted befor the end of the year!

Will post results of the test drive tomorrow or Sunday.

Hope you all have fun during the RFTH re-run this weekend

\D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Fierofool on October 14, 2011, 06:01:01 pm
Why don't the two of you come on the rerun with the 85?  I've got a good scenic route planned. 
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Duchess on October 14, 2011, 11:41:41 pm
Charlie,
I am a really, REALLY lousy passenger and I would kill Don if he would drive the way I drive ;D.
I just don't like the GT and I don't feel comfortable driving it through the mountains.
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on October 16, 2011, 01:41:30 am
Turns out the 84 needs an oil pan

\D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Fierofool on October 16, 2011, 08:46:54 am
I remember you said you had an 86 engine.  There's an 86 at pullapart on Buford Highway.  It was put there on the 6th.  Probably is a 4 cylinder.  There's also an 84 that was brought in in September. 
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on October 16, 2011, 11:56:20 am
I might run over there on Tuesday - thnx
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on October 20, 2011, 09:39:01 am
SHE RUNS LIKE A DREAM! Like a new car! I've driven her a bit now and all I can say is: WOW!
Shifts, sounds and runs great!

Lee Arnette did awesome work. Very recommendable if you are like me and don't have the time or the knowledge ;D

\D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Fierofool on October 20, 2011, 10:35:33 am
That exhaust sounds great.  Almost like a V6.  Good tone. 
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: Donster on October 20, 2011, 10:41:33 am
I agree.

Lee removed the obsolete catalytic converter and welded in a straight pipe, hence the beefy sound ;D
Title: Re: Brake & Clutch issues with both our Fieros
Post by: meatloafsandwich on October 20, 2011, 02:29:29 pm
As per a recommendation from Charlie, I had Lee work on mine while I am stuck here in Alaska. I went there not knowing what was wrong only having "ideas". Lee went above and beyond Fixed the main problem and a few other things that were going to be problems. Very reasonably priced too! I cant wait to get home and drive my "new" baby. Whodeanie re-did my exhaust the day before it broke down and i didnt even get to enjoy that yet. Mine being an 87 needed  emmisions, so he put on a Magnaflow high flow cat and a "mild" cherry bomb. sounded good the 7 mile drive home, but i have not taken it on the highway yet.

Thanks for recommending Lee, Charlie!