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[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Dear all,

It has been a few months ago that my S3 33 under heavy braking it feels like the brakes develop a tremor and the car does not slow down evenly. As the speed drops the tremor makes the whole car shake.

At first I thought that either the brakes disks were bend in places or that the brake pump has a problem. But just a few days ago returning home after work I just pulled the handbrake two-three clicks just to slow the car down a bit before stopping just outside my house. The tremor appers to come from the rear drum brakes.

What is the problem then? Can someone give me a hint?

Thanks in advance
_________________
1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[gritsop]

Hi,

I would be tempted to have a look at the play of the rear drums.

Any chance that the drum bearings are shot or the nut being a little lose may give a tremor. This can be a chance as the drum is integrated with the drum and any play is automatically transferred to the drum.

However removing the drum for inspection to the internals is a good idea as there is not much to be done just on the outside of the drum.

Regards,
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Dear Gritsop thanks for your reply,

Actually the rear left wheel bearing was changed just over a year ago and the rear drums were checked during last service, that's about 6 months ago.

Could it be a brake pump problem? If so why is it isolated at the rear brakes alone?

Thanks
_________________
1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[gritsop]

Hi,

I dont think that the brake pump can cause tremor while braking.

Is there any chance that the brake jaws are distorted and while applying the brakes you are feeling the tremor?

Also, is the tremor felt on the brake pedal or do you feel the car shaking from the rear?

Regards
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

The shake comes from the rear Gritsop. I do not feel the play through the brake pedal...
_________________
1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[Admin]

Hi

Had a similar issue. It "solved" itself when the friction material came off the shoe leaving me with no brakes.

All the best

Keith
_________________
I owe, I owe, its off to work we go.
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[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Hi again,

As far as I know the brake pump controls the hydraulics of all the brakes right?

Is there another controller for the rear brakes?

Thanks
_________________
1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[gritsop]

Hi all,

Yes the brake pump sends equal brake pressure to the 4 corners. However the rear axle has a bias valve which releases brake pressure when the vehicle is braking (the rear of the vehicle is lifted upwards) so that the rear wheels do not lock.

I would advise you to open up the drum and see what is going on. Keith is right, as there might be a piece of braking shoe detached and wandering around the drum; there is also a possibilty that any of the pins that hold the jaws to the support plate might have escaped and as a result the jaw is not kept firmly to the fixed side of the drum.



Regards,
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop