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Non-Existent Brakes (1980 Clubman)

brakes

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#1 M I N I

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Posted 12 April 2018 - 08:11 AM

Hello all.

I recently took my mini in for a free brake check to make sure everything was still in working order as theyve faded quite a bit.

Any how, I picked my car up from the garage and it had literally NO brakes. I stood and argued with them for at least an hour as they were saying it was like that when it came in and I know it bloody well wasnt as I wouldnt have driven it with NO brakes. Anyway they put it back up on ththe ramps and discovered the from drums havent been adjusted. After doing this, I had some brakes but basically have to put my foot to the floor to get the smallest amount of braking. I couldnt be bothered to spend any more time there arguing with them so I left.

Does anyone know what could be causing this problem? Is it possible theyve left something undone?

- I have the smallest amount of pressure when the brakes are at the floor
- if I pump 2 or 3 times the peddal gets stiffer but as soon as it released it goes back (this doesnt work when driving)
- Handbrake still works perfectly

(Ive got 10/5.5 weller wheels and a full set of drum brakes)

Any and all help is hugely appreciated.

Thanks

C

#2 M I N I

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Posted 12 April 2018 - 08:13 AM

The garage also said all the drums and brake lines etc were fine as they were done in the last MOT (December)z

#3 dyshipfakta

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Posted 12 April 2018 - 08:25 AM

Hopefully its just air and they need a good bleed. A lot of air by the sound of it. If not you have a knackered slave or master cylinder. It could be that the brake test was the final straw for one of the seals

#4 Colinmac1330

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Posted 12 April 2018 - 09:37 AM

I had a lot of bother with my wife's drum brake mini last year, I must have spent almost two weeks trying to bleed air out of it. Turned out it just needed the drums adjusting a bit more :shy:



#5 M I N I

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Posted 12 April 2018 - 12:17 PM

I had a lot of bother with my wife's drum brake mini last year, I must have spent almost two weeks trying to bleed air out of it. Turned out it just needed the drums adjusting a bit more :shy:


That may be what is wrong with mine. Just bled all the air, topped up brake fluid. Much improved but still not right. Im going to have a browse through TMF and see if I can find out the correct brake adjustments and how to make them- will keep you posted!

Separate issue but its developed a fault where if I break too suddenly it stalls even with clutch down- any ideas?

Thanks again!

C

#6 Dusky

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Posted 13 April 2018 - 12:15 AM

If i remember correctly you need to adjust the front drum brakes by Turing the adjuster in the direction of the wheelspin. Is it better with the Handbrake applied?

#7 timmy850

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Posted 13 April 2018 - 12:27 AM

The drum adjustment front and back makes a huge difference when done properly. 

 

As Dusky says, turn the front adjusters in the direction the wheels spin. 



#8 Twincam

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Posted 13 April 2018 - 05:12 AM

Also, check your master cylinder. Look towards the pedals and you'll see a clevis pin. Now check the arm the clevis pin is connected to. Is there any fluid there?

#9 Rorf

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Posted 13 April 2018 - 05:47 AM

Before bleeding turn the brake adjusters so that the drums are locked. Bleed by keeping brake cylinder full at all times - good system is pipe on the nipple and other end into jar with abit of fluid. Need two people to do this. Open nipple slightly and push brake pedal slowly to floor and hold there; close nipple and slowly release brake pedal. Do this at each wheel until all air  is out.

 

Considering the age of your mini the master cylinder might need an overhaul and also check the pedal to master cylinder clevis pin for wear.

 

Once hard re adjust brakes until has slight resistance when turning.

 

It would seem that most owners ignore changing brake fluid every 2 years because of the hassle.

 

Good luck 

 

Forget to mention that it is far easier to do job with the car on stands with all four wheels off.


Edited by Rorf, 13 April 2018 - 05:48 AM.


#10 Mervyn

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Posted 13 April 2018 - 11:27 AM

It's been in for a brake check so they will have stood on the pedal pretty hard several times. My guess is you have a leaky cylinder in one of the front drums and the test has finished it off

Merv

#11 dyshipfakta

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Posted 13 April 2018 - 12:32 PM

It's been in for a brake check so they will have stood on the pedal pretty hard several times. My guess is you have a leaky cylinder in one of the front drums and the test has finished it off

Merv

Agreed

#12 M I N I

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Posted 22 April 2018 - 09:16 PM

Turned out to be adjusters on the front shoes, it appear the garage completely messed them up (front and back)

 

Went through the rigmarole of adjusting them back and now my brakes work perfectly :D

 

Thanks for all the advice

 

C







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