Front Brake Fixing - help please

[Wiz]

Hi all,

The trusty Fiat Brown has all but passed the MOT. Only failure was the front brakes - apparently it pulls strongly in one direction (to one side and is considered unsafe.

So,  can anyone suggest what to look at in rectifying this problem.  First place - I'm guessing - is drums and pads.  What kind of cost would I be looking at, and how easy would it be, to replace BOTH the drums and pads of both left and right front?

Just want to know if it's worth doing it to a £300 quid car, or if it's going to double the value of it!

What say you, o wise 126 type chaps?

Cheers,

Wiz

[ChrisRLewis]

Usually the Mot examiner will tell you which brake is faulty on their rolling road brake test.
It could possibly be either faulty brake linings or brake adjusters or a seized/leaking slave cylinder. If you know the which brake is giving the problem, give it a check over. It's also a very easy job to change the linings if needed.

[Nurudin]

I have had the same problem. The cylinder was not pushing one of the pads out. I took it of cleaned it and it got much better. I guess it could be perfect if I knew about these adjusters Cars is talking about, and how to set them right. Maybe someone can help us both with this.

I apologize to all for my english.

[Chris Lakin]

Hi Nurudin and Wiz, firstly Nurudin your english is very good, would never have thought you wernt english.

I think you are right we should get some pics / manual / pages to see what to do.

regards

Chris

[Chris Lakin]

[Wiz]

So, if I look at the brakes and need to replace pads and liners for one or both sides, any idea of cost?

By the way Cars, nice one on the manual page - will come in very handy.

All the best,

Wiz

[ChrisRLewis]

Wiz

at a rough guess...

Linings per axle (4xlininings) £10-15
Always renew both sides even if one side appears ok

Brake Slave Cylinder £5-10 each

C
 

[paul harbinson.]

Thats the best bet no point with messing about with one side.

[PaulB]

If you suspect the adjusters are stuck, find somewhere quiet, reverse the car fairly fast and slam the breaks on. This should reset them, unless the rust fairy has been at them.

[Wiz]

Cheers for the estimated costs Cars, that is exactly the price range I want and need!

And cheers to Paul B for the type of mechanical sympathy I like to use when fixing stuff.  My main tools are:  toffee hammer, 1/2lb metal hammer, 2lb lump hammer, 10lb sledge hammer.... in that order  :wink:

So, best place to source linings and stuff from?  Went to my local car shop and he literally laughed at my request for costs - hence me coming here, where I should'a come first all along.

Yer all stars,

Wiz

[PaulB]

For best prices look abroad at places like:

https://ssl.kundenserver.de/shop.fiat500126.de/indexa.htm
http://www.fiatclassic.com/

Both fast and quite cheap compared to UK. Postage costs the same/less.

You can pick up decent brake linings on ebay for even less if you are prepared to wait for the right deal.

Axel gerstl's site (above)  is a work of art and will at the very least help you find part numbers, diagrams and compatibility across models.