1st tech question from the newbie

[JThw8]

Ok, first major issue to address on the new car. The brakes seem to be dragging, or something is, because when you put it in gear and go it will go, but as soon as you let off the gas it comes to a halt.

Im thinking maybe parking brakes siezed from sitting so long, or maybe bad master cyl or collapsed lines, I will know more when I get into it but Im looking for some suggestions.

It did seem to improve a bit with a few blasts up and down the driveway, but its still dragging enough to bring the car to a stop without hitting the brakes.

[chrisc]

Sounds like straightforward rusted up caliper pistons to me... you said the car had been sitting? but once youve had a look at the state of the lines, discs etc. obviously be easier to tell.

[Allen Lofland]

First time I have egver heard anybody say that their Scorp stops by it;s self hehe. Just kidden.
If you thinking performance, autocross, ect, you will need to just bite the bullet and learn the Brake stuff from Chad at Monty's hospital inthe UK, dorry about the rate of exchange but he's the source.
I removed my booster, installed new Stainless hoses, rebuild everything, new stock rotors and the Tar-Ox pads from Chad...Not bad set up, lots of presure required from the old knees but the car stops.
The next step is the o37 Brake pedal upgrade, I am in the middle of this install presently, should give some relief to the knees.
Scorpions have the same basic brakes as the Fiat Spider as far as parts go. The calipers are the same, except they where a touch pibbier pistons but those are hard to come by know.
Rebuild yours and clean it up and install new SS hoses and go from there. As for the booster.?????
there are two sides to that story, I removed mine and now I am not sure I did the right thing, BUT for performance driving, maybe you will want to. BUT first learn it yourself BEFORE you rip the booster out. Just unhook it at test it first:) Dont pre0judge it, is all I am saying.

[JThw8]

assuming it is just rusted caliper pistons am I correct in assuming these can be removed, cleaned, lubricated and reinstalled? Any tips on the process?

I will definitely try everything stock first, the fronts definitely lock up on me but until the rest of the system is functioning as advertised I wont jump to any hasty conclusions. The budget is tight, if something works I dont want to needlessly replace or reengineer it.

[Warren Horby]

Jim,
Save your self alot of money and agravation and go buy new YUGO front calipers ( $30 ea ) and some 124 or X1/9 rear calipers. Don't mess with the old stuff. When you remove the calipers, this gives you the chance to flush out all the old brake fliud. You might want to replace the rotors to.
They run about $20 ea and then you won't have any further problems and have a baseline to start with. Then tune the car to you the way you like it.

[cthargiss]

CAUTION :!: The 124 and X1/9 have smaller pistons in the rear calipers than the Scorpion. This will exascerbate the front lock-up. :x

Craig