In this episode of DIY's Classic Car Restoration, the brakes and suspension system are reviewed for the 1969 Alfa Romeo Spider. On our restoration car, the front brakes and suspension are overhauled in an effort to bring those systems back to near-new condition while retaining some of the European racing heritage that went into the design of this roadster. Components replaced and restored in this phase of the restoration include the upper control arms, coil springs, shock absorbers and front disc-brake components. Brakes and Suspension Overview
The design of the Alfa Spider grew out of the company's efforts to create a road-racing contender that could compete on European racetracks. Some of the same technology used in their racers was maintained in the street versions. The suspension in the Spider employed a racing suspension that was also suitable for an everyday driver. It employed an independent front-coil suspension with independent coil-springs, shock absorbers (figure A ) and control arms. The two sides were tied together with a sway-bar and stabilizer links.
Alfa also incorporated some unique features typically found only on racecars during that period -- including completely adjustable front-end alignment (for caster and camber) and the ability to tune the suspension for tire angle and road load. This allowed the automobile to be fine-tuned for individual racetracks or particular road conditions.
This ability for custom tuning the suspension was part of what made this automobile so popular among driving enthusiasts. It also eventually gave rise to a number of companies specializing in custom parts, spring kits, custom sway bars, etc. -- all geared toward fine-adjusting the automobile's suspension.
In terms of the front brakes, the Alfa used a traditional brake-caliper and rotor setup. However, a standard brake caliper utilizes a single piston with a brake pad on either side of the rotor (figure B). By contrast, Alfa used calipers with dual pistons (figure C), one on each side of the rotor, for enhanced braking ability.
With the rotor squeezed by the calipers using pistons on both sides (figure D), the braking distance for the Alfa could be shortened considerably. This kind of brake force and precision braking was another carryover from the auto's racing heritage.
RESOURCES :
Alfa Romeo Owner's Bible: A Hands-On Guide to Getting the Most from Your Alfa
Model: 0837607078
Author: Pat Braden
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Bentley Publishers
Alfa Romeo Spider: The Complete Story
Model: 1861261225
Author: John Tipler
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Crowood Press
Original Alfa Romeo Spider (Bay View Original Series)
Model: 0760311625
Author: Chris Rees, James Mann
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Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Essential Alfa Romeo Guilia & Giulietta Coupes & Spiders: The Cars and Their Story 1954-95
Model: 1870979591
Author: David Hodges
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Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Alfa Romeo: The Spirit of Milan
Model: 0750919582
Author: David G. Styles
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Sutton Publishing
Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners ...
Model: 1557881944
Author: Jim Richardson
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H.P. Books
Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
Model: 1850108900
Author: Lindsay Porter
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Haynes Publishing
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