Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Playing with the 308

[Robert W. Garven Jr. (rgarven]

wow

a post I actually am going to file!  :-)

Thanks Bob

we got to get together some day

Rob
On Jan 24, 2008, at 10:24 AM, robert_h_bowser [at] juno.com wrote:

> Matt -
>
> Right after I bought the car, I went through all the calipers,  
> disassembling and cleaning each one.  A few months ago, I went  
> through them again, this time replacing the inner and outer seals.   
> Both times, pistons and caliper bodies were in good shape.  Just  
> needed cleaning.  Other than squealing and related pad noise, I've  
> never had any problems with the brakes.
>
> Fronts are easy.  Do have to break the pistons free using compressed  
> air prior to disassembling the caliper into inboard and outboard  
> halves.  And remember to save the four rubber o-rings sealing the  
> fluid channels between the two halves.  When re-assembing, position  
> the 'C' face of the piston so the open portion of the 'C' is facing  
> the leading portion of the rotating disk.
>
> Rears are easy if you remember to remove the pistons using the allen- 
> head screws hidden under the plugs on each side of the caliper.    
> Just about impossible if you don't.   When re-assembling, set the  
> pad clearance by screwing down the pad till it seats rests firmly on  
> the disk, then back off the screw about a third of a turn.  If you  
> didn't resurface/replace the disk and pads, you will need to re- 
> adjust the clearance again shortly.
>
> Above applies to the early model brake system (i.e., '78 308GTS  
> vintage).  I don't know when (or if) they changed the caliper types  
> for newer models.
>
> Damn, it's raining again.  Guess I'll have to go play with the  
> Ferrari in the garage again today....
>
> God, I love retirement!
>
> Bob
> '78 308GTS
> '01 Corvette Z06
>
> -- "Matt Boyd" <ferrari308driver [at] gmail.com> wrote:
> Bob,
>
> Thanks for the on-topic posting!
>
> I wonder if you can discuss the caliper rebuilding.  Why did you
> decide to rebuild them (what was wrong?)?  What was the cost of
> replacement vice rebuilding?  Did you run into any problems
> rebuilding?
>
> I've rebuilt calipers once on an '88 Rolls and it was fairly
> straightforward, although I had a tough time separating the halves of
> the calipers.
>
> Any tips or tricks on the 308?
>
> -Matt
> '85 euro 308
>
> On Jan 23, 2008 11:29 PM, robert_h_bowser [at] juno.com
> <robert_h_bowser [at] juno.com> wrote:
> > Bit of a cold, rainy day here in Southern Cal, so I decided to  
> > spend some quality garage time with my mistress.  A while ago, I'd  
> > bought a new set of front pads and a set of stainless braided brake  
> > lines.  Brake pads still had some meat on them, but they were  
> > squealing badly.  Thought new ones might fix that.  Also been  
> > having a problem with groaning in the front suspension.  Sounded  
> > like a '52 Chevy every time I went over a speed bump.  Changing the  
> > brake lines pretty much requires removing the front A-arms simply  
> > to get clearance, so I thought it was a good time to lube the  
> > bushings.
> >
> > A long time ago, I'd gotten new Energy Suspension A-arm bushings.   
> > Several of us on the list had gotten together and bought in bulk.   
> > Anyone remember that?  I think it was back in 2000 or so.  Problem  
> > was the guy who did it was told the front and rear used the same  
> > size, so we all ended up with two sets of front.  I remember  
> > returning the extra set to someone who was supposed to get them  
> > exchanged....but that was long ago and far away.....never got  
> > anything back....whatever.
> >
> > I did get the new bushings installed on the front A-arms a year or  
> > so ago, but the guy who welded the bushings in did not disassemble  
> > them prior to doing the welding.  The bushings come assembled, but  
> > need to be taken apart prior to the welding operation.  If you weld  
> > them as a unit, the plastic insert gets damaged.  The assembly  
> > consists of an outer metal shell, an inner hard plastic sleeve, and  
> > inside that, a metal sleeve.  Plus a rubber donut for the outer  
> > side of the bushing.  The design of the bushing is that the outer  
> > shell (welded to the A-arm) is supposed to rotate with respect to  
> > the inner metal sleeve as outer point of the A-arm (attached to the  
> > wheel hub) moves up and down.  Prior to re-installing the A-arms, I  
> > had disassembled the bushings and lubed them with grease, but I  
> > guess it was too heavy, as the two metal sleeves were locked  
> > together with the plastic sleeve.  If I left the mounting bolts  
> > loose, the front end would be a little loose.  If I tightened them  
> > down, the bushings would groan.
> >
> > So....anyway, this time I lubed them with vaseline.  Hope that will  
> > last for a while.  We'll see.  I did a static test, and they seemed  
> > to move freely with no noise.
> >
> >
> > While I was at it, I decided to get new bushings for the front sway  
> > bar.  Those are on order.  Hope to have everything back together by  
> > this weekend.  The new braided brake lines do look cool.  Hope I  
> > can tell a difference.
> >
> > So....now I have pretty much rebuilt the entire front suspension.   
> > New bushings.  Recently replaced the shocks, rotors and rebuilt the  
> > calipers.  Only thing left is the steering rack.  Think I'll wait  
> > on that.  Probably should do the rear suspension next.
> >
> > Nice being retired so I can take the time to play with the 308.   
> > Quality time.  Life is good.
> >
> > Bob
> > '78 308GTS
> > '01 Corvette Z06
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