Brake compensator rubber bands

[Alfasam]

With my Super body work restoration on hold for now whilst I try to move house I have been looking to try and collect together everything else that will eventually be needed for the mechanical rebuild.

One of the items I have not been able to trace is the rubber band that goes around both the brake compensator activator rod and the Panhard rod. It was originally listed as part number 101724.

I found a classic car parts dealer in Italy who still had them listed on his webshop, but in the event he had unfortunately sold a lot of his Sud, Sprint, ARNA and 33 parts and no longer had stock of this item.

Here is a picture of what they look like as a NOS part.

I wondered if any other Forum members had come across this problem when rebuilding their cars in recent years and if so what solution they had arrived at to replace this part. I am also unsure how important it is and what the effect (if any) of not having it in place is likely to be

Any advice/ideas gratefully received

[KevJTD]

the compensator won't work properly without it, it ties the rod down onto the top of the compensator providing the required resistance and allowing movement with the axle movement
i'm sure a metal spring could be used to do the same task, would just require a suitable tab to be welded to the arms to keep the spring in place then a bit of trial and error to find a spring that does the job

[dickyb]

I had the same problem on my 33, my rubber band was very perished & cracked. I looked everywhere for the correct Alfa part but had no luck so in the end I bought some rubber tent peg straps from a camping supplier which are the same length & roughly the same stiffness/resistance. They're a little thinner than the original band but I used 2 side by side and have had no problems so far. Still got a big bag of them if you'd like a few? Pm me your address & i'll dig some out of my parts store

[Alfamet]

These were available from an online supplier in Greece:

http://parts-alfaromeo-old-models.com/i ... uct_id=533

I bought their last one a few weeks ago and I believe they're out of stock at the minute but say that at some point they will be getting some more in although they couldn't say exactly when.

If originality is what you're looking for, it might be worth keeping an eye on their website for updates?

[Alfamet]

They're back in stock:

http://parts-alfaromeo-old-models.com/i ... ct_id=1309

Remember to check the 'En' tab in the top right hand corner of the page to read it in English not Greek!

[Fluffyduff]

Thanks for the heads up, that website fits the bill nicely!

[dave.armstrong]

Thanks Colin

I've just ordered a couple.

[dave.armstrong]

Thanks Colin

I've just ordered a couple.

And they arrived today...

[Alfasam]

Thank you to everyone for the advice regarding the important function of this part and the help with finding a supply of NOS
I had looked for several months without success, so very grateful for the heads up on the supplier in Greece. I have ordered some for my cars plus a couple of spares as I am not sure how long they last being rubber exposed to the elements under the car

[rsfruitbat]

Anyone recently found a source for these or a suitable alternative?
I was wondering about the O ring seal on an oil filter?
Anyone know what the correct length should be?

Thanks rsfruitbat

[rsfruitbat]

O ring seal on the original big filters is too big.
Rsfruitbat

[KevJTD]

Oil filter rings won't be stretchy enough, and too long.
Something like these should do, from memory they're not that big

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144388669434 ... R76NuO3KYQ

[rsfruitbat]

Thanks Kev. At least I know what to look for now.

Rsfruitbat

[StescoG66]

Mine is missing this rubber band. Does anybody know the diameter of it? Wondering if a double looped vacuum cleaner belt will do the job.

Another query - can the compensator valve be pressed by hand? Mine is new, but it will not budge if I press the plunger

[KevJTD]

From memory they're not that big, about the size of a Goose egg?
The compensator can't be pushed in, don't fret!
I believe they work by restricting how far the plunger is allowed to come out when the peddle is pressed, hence the arm attched which alters the tension on it when the load reduces as in under heavy braking to prevent locking the brakes.

[StescoG66]

I improvised one out a vaccum cleaner belt. lets see how it goes.
The plunger foro the compensator valve was then able to come down about 5mm to meet the activation rod. I assume that is about all the movement there is in these then??

Just to get this right in my own head, if I were to open the bleed valves at the two wheel cylinders at the back and push fluid through, should that set the valve in place?