brake preventative maintenence

[dhughens]

I've just acquired a 90 TC with the 16valve engine.  I'm told that I should do preventative maintenance to the braking system because it isn't a matter of if it will have problems but when.  I have replaced the front calipers because they were siezed and all seems well although I feel the brakes aren't really all that spectacular.  What I mean is it stops fine with no issues but there is nothing impressive about it.  The average camry or dart puts it to shame in braking distance and feel.  Is this typical of the 4wheel discs on this car?  Thanks for any info, dan...

[Garnet & Gold]

As a new owner of the Chrysler TC by Maserati you may want to consider joining the TCA Owners Club.  I am Bob French the President of the club.  The club was founded 30 years ago by Karleen Tarola and she called it TC America.  She is 84 and wanted to retire and asked me if I would take over the club.  She wanted to keep the club name and that is why the name change.  The club operates the same way it did 30 years ago including having the same annual dues of $39.50.  We have a quarterly, 12 page newsletter with a for sale, repair, where to get parts and general information.  We also have a National Meet every other year and this coming September 13 - 16, 2023 we will be gathering in the St. Louis area.  To view our web site click on the following: TCA Owners Club - Home and to join there is a tab called 'Membership" where you can enter information about yourself and your TC:Membership (tcaownersclub.org).

The brakes can be a problem if not given attention.  A common problem is the accumulator.  The accumulator is on the top of the Teves ABS system about the size of a black softball.  If it has a silver and red circular decal on the top of it, it is the original and should be replaced.

Welcome to ownership of a TC.

Sincerely,

Bob French

[OldCTcars]

Hi, you are not getting expert advice, I'm in software, not a mechanic and I have an 89, but here is my experience.  First off, I feel like what you are describing is what I felt when I first got it back from the shop.  I had a rebuilt put in and was thrilled I could drive it but was NOT impressed with the stopping power.  I realize I was comparing it to my wife's 2016 Kia, but still.  About two weeks out of the shop I had to slam because of turkeys (I'm in CT and they just roam wild) and the old girl stopped like a champ.  Slamming them seemed to bring out the best in the brakes.   Now the next week I'm at a bbq with an actual mechanic and he says, the fluid level can be low if the pads are worn, i.e. it takes more fluid if the pads need to travel farther.  I thought millimeters wouldn't matter but topped off and  the everyday performance got noticeable better.  I read on this forum that changing the fluid is the single most important step you can take for prevention so after 24 months I go back (again, I'm not a mechanic so I pay for one's expertise) and he drained and put in new fluid.  Since then I think the stopping is better.   I don't know that I will go every 2 years, or maybe I learn how to do it myself, but my brakes have gotten noticeable better with the new brake fluid/ 

 

[marty14]

here is a previous post:

 

There is also a lot of brake information on the Buick Reatta forum.   Teves the maker of those brakes supplied them for several car manufacturers during the late '80's

also look at www.reattaowners.com   site brake information there.  

[Hemi Dude]

2 hours ago, OldCTcars said:

Hi, you are not getting expert advice, I'm in software, not a mechanic and I have an 89, but here is my experience.  First off, I feel like what you are describing is what I felt when I first got it back from the shop.  I had a rebuilt put in and was thrilled I could drive it but was NOT impressed with the stopping power.  I realize I was comparing it to my wife's 2016 Kia, but still.  About two weeks out of the shop I had to slam because of turkeys (I'm in CT and they just roam wild) and the old girl stopped like a champ.  Slamming them seemed to bring out the best in the brakes.   Now the next week I'm at a bbq with an actual mechanic and he says, the fluid level can be low if the pads are worn, i.e. it takes more fluid if the pads need to travel farther.  I thought millimeters wouldn't matter but topped off and  the everyday performance got noticeable better.  I read on this forum that changing the fluid is the single most important step you can take for prevention so after 24 months I go back (again, I'm not a mechanic so I pay for one's expertise) and he drained and put in new fluid.  Since then I think the stopping is better.   I don't know that I will go every 2 years, or maybe I learn how to do it myself, but my brakes have gotten noticeable better with the new brake fluid/ 

 

You are correct about flushing the brake fluid. Every 2 years may be a little too often, but if you can learn to do it yourself, you loose nothing but a little brake fluid, CHEAP INSURANCE for sure.  The rear disc brakes can be adjusted which is clearly explained in the TCA Newsletter. That may also relieve some of the brake pedal travel since the clearance between the brake pads and the rotor will be greatly reduced.  There is plenty of useful information in the TCA Newsletter every Quarter.  Maybe you should subscribe.